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

Saving water and energy is a smart and environmentally conscious choice for your finances and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures present an ideal solution to reduce water consumption without compromising performance. Learn about the perks of water-saving fixtures, how they differ from previous models and practical tips to conserve even more water in your day-to-day life.

Key Key Reasons to Consider Installing Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Less water waste 

The EPA’s WaterSense program has estimated that you can save 700 gallons of water per year by upgrading the existing faucets in your home with new, low-flow versions. 

Lowering your monthly water bills 

Low-flow fixtures can cut your monthly utility bills by using less water. Indeed, a WaterSense-labeled showerhead can save 4 gallons of water each time you shower, which can really add up in the long run. 

Lower water heating costs 

Using less water for daily chores means you also use less hot water, which means another boost to your savings by lowering hot water costs. 

A longer plumbing system life span  

Cuts to the water flow means less strain on your plumbing system, potentially prolonging its life and decreasing the need for repairs. 

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

Key Components of Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures 

Low-flow fixtures use different ways to retain performance while using less water. Here’s how they can do so: 

• Dual-flush technology: More low-flow designs have two flush buttons—one for liquid waste using less water, and a fuller flush for solid waste. This fine-tunes water use based on necessity. 

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

• Aerators: Many low-flow faucets and showerheads include aerators, mixing air with water to preserve the water pressure while still lowering the volume of water required. 

How Much Water Can Low-Flow Fixtures Use? 

Installing low-flow plumbing fixtures first started gaining traction around the 1990s. The popularity was particularly driven by growing awareness of water conservation concerns and our environmental impact. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets across the United States, promoting the prompt adoption of a new generation of low-flow plumbing fixtures. This early framework paved the way for more efficient fixture designs focused on lowering water consumption while maintaining the same level performance. 

Take into account how much water low-flow fixtures save compared to their conventional counterparts:

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

• Showerheads: The industry standard for showerheads was 2.5 gpm. Low-flow showerheads reduce water use to 2.0 gpm or lower. 

• Toilets: Older, inefficient toilets typically use as many as 7 gallons per flush (gpf). In contrast, the current federal standard maximum is 1.6 gpf, with many dual-flush models needing as few as 1.28 gpf.

Five Suggestions for Saving Even More Water

While low-flow fixtures make a big difference by themselves, you can go further to conserve water whenever you use the plumbing. Here are a handful of tips:

1. Turn off the water whenever you brush your teeth: Do your best to only leave the tap on if you’re actively using it. Once you leave the bathroom or take the time to actually brush your teeth, turn off the faucet so you aren’t wasting water.

2. Don’t flush trash: Toilets are exclusively designed to remove toilet paper and human waste. Flushing other items needlessly wastes water and increases the risk of a clog forming. Do your plumbing a favor by only disposing of facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls and all other non-flushable products in the garbage. 

3. Take brief showers: Even with low-flow showerheads, you still waste a lot of water when you stay in too long. Cutting your shower time by a minute or two preserves water and lowers energy use.

4. Use dual-flush toilets efficiently: The dual-flush feature only helps you if everyone at home understands how to use it it. Press the half-flush button for liquid waste and only select the full flush for solid waste. Certain handle-flush toilets feature dual-flush functionality. A light flush uses less water, while keeping the handle depressed empties the entire tank to wash away solid waste more efficiently.

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

Ask About Your Free Estimate for Low-Flow Fixtures Today

Interested in an easy way to reduce your water usage and save money? Freedom Heating & Cooling 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 depend on us to follow through on the promise of quality products and services you deserve. As soon as you’re ready to upgrade your plumbing fixtures or would like more water conservation tips, please contact us today.