You Can Save Water and Energy with Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Saving water and energy is a wise and responsible move for your finances and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures present an ideal solution to lower water consumption without sacrificing performance. Learn about the perks of water-efficient fixtures, how they stack up against older models and practical tips to conserve even more water in your everyday habits.

Key Advantages to Installing Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures

Reduced water waste 

The EPA’s WaterSense program estimates that you can save 700 gallons of water per year by swapping the traditional faucets in your home with new, low-flow designs. 

Slashing water bills 

Low-flow fixtures help decrease your monthly utility bills by using less water. As a matter of fact, a WaterSense-labeled showerhead can save 4 gallons of water every time you shower, which starts to add up in the long run. 

Also lowers water heating costs 

Using less water for daily chores results in you using less hot water, which means another boost to your savings by lowering water heating costs. 

Helping ensure a long plumbing system life span  

Less water flow means there’s a much smaller load on your plumbing system, hopefully lengthening its life and decreasing the need for repairs. 

As you can see, trying low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets can benefit you in several ways: 

Designing Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures 

Low-flow fixtures have several ways to maintain performance while also cutting back on water. Here’s how they can do so: 

• Dual-flush technology: More low-flow designs feature two flush controls—one for liquid waste using less water, and a larger flush for solid waste. This further controls water use based on need. 

• Flow restrictors: Faucets with these devices limit the amount of water that passes through the fixture while preventing a noticeable drop in pressure. 

• Aerators: Lots of low-flow faucets and showerheads include aerators, which mix air with water to retain pressure while still cutting down on the volume of water required. 

How Much Water Can Low-Flow Fixtures Use? 

Low-flow plumbing fixtures initially gained widespread traction around the 1990s. The shift was particularly driven by growing awareness of water conservation issues and our environmental footprint. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 set maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets across the United States, promoting the widespread adoption of a new generation of low-flow plumbing fixtures. This initial legislation paved the way for more efficient fixture designs focused on lowering water consumption while maintaining the same level performance. 

Think about how much water low-flow fixtures use compared to their older counterparts:

• Faucets: Old faucets flow at about 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm), whereas low-flow faucets reduce to 1.5 gpm or less without compromising water pressure.

• Showerheads: The industry standard for showerheads was 2.5 gpm. Today’s showerheads reduce water use to 2.0 gpm or less. 

• Toilets: Older toilets can use up to a maximum of 7 gallons per flush (gpf). In contrast, the current federal standard maximum is 1.6 gpf, with a number of dual-flush models with averages as low as 1.28 gpf.

Five Tips on How You Can Save Even More Water

While low-flow fixtures make a big difference by themselves, you can take additional steps to conserve water whenever you use the plumbing. Here are a few useful suggestions:

1. Don’t waste water when you brush your teeth: Do your best to only leave the tap on if you’re actively using it. If you leave the bathroom or take a couple of minutes to actually brush your teeth, switch off the faucet so you don’t waste water.

2. Don’t allow anyone to flush trash: Toilets are exclusively designed to process toilet paper and human waste. Flushing any other materials always wastes water and raises the risk of clogs. Do your water bills a favor by always disposing of facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls and similar products in the trash. 

3. Take brief showers: Even once you’ve installed low-flow showerheads, you can still waste water if you stay in too long. Speeding up your shower time by a minute or two preserves water and limits energy use.

4. Use dual-flush toilets appropriately: The dual-flush feature only benefits you if everyone using that bathroom knows how to use it. Press the half-flush button for liquid waste and only select the full flush for solid waste. Certain handle-flush toilets also have dual-flush functionality. A quick flush uses less water, while holding down the handle empties the entire tank to clear solid waste more efficiently.

5. Take care of leaks as soon as you can: Even low-flow fixtures may leak, wasting water and hamstringing efficiency. Make an effort to regularly check for leaks and repair any you find to maintain your water conservation efforts.

Request Your Free Quote for New Low-Flow Plumbing Installation Today

Are you ready to reduce your water usage and increase savings? Ken Griffin Plumbing Services is here to help! We install quality low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to support water and energy conservation. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can rely on us to deliver the superior products and services you deserve. As soon as you’re ready to install low-flow plumbing fixtures or just need a few more water conservation tips, please contact us today.