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

Saving water and energy is a wise and eco-friendly choice for your finances and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures present an effective solution to reduce water consumption without compromising performance. Learn about the perks of water-saving fixtures, how they differ from older models and useful suggestions to conserve even more water in your day-to-day life.

Key Key Reasons to Consider Installing Eco-Friendly Plumbing Fixtures

Decreased water waste 

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

Lowering your monthly water bills 

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

Also helps with water heating costs 

Using less water to shower, cook and clean also means you use less hot water, which further increases your savings by helping cut hot water costs. 

Helping ensure a long plumbing system life span  

Decreased water flow means less strain on your plumbing system, hopefully prolonging its life and reducing the need for repairs. 

As you can see, switching to low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets enhances your plumbing’s efficiency in numerous ways: 

Key Components of Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures 

Low-flow fixtures use different ways to maintain performance while also cutting back on water. Here’s how they work: 

• Dual-flush technology: Some toilets have two flush controls—one for liquid waste using less water, and one that’s larger for solid waste. This fine-tunes water use based on need. 

• Flow restrictors: These devices limit the amount of water that moves through the fixture without a significant drop in pressure. 

• Aerators: A number of low-flow faucets and showerheads include aerators, which mix air with water to preserve the water pressure while still reducing the volume of water required. 

How Much Water Will Low-Flow Fixtures Save? 

These more efficient plumbing fixtures first started gaining traction in the 1990s. The shift was largely 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, supporting the prompt adoption of a new generation of low-flow plumbing fixtures. This initial legislation set the stage for more efficient fixture designs aimed at reducing water consumption while preserving performance. 

Think about how much water low-flow fixtures save compared to their traditional counterparts:

• Faucets: The conventional designs of most faucets run at about 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm), whereas low-flow faucets reduce to 1.5 gpm or less without sacrificing water pressure.

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

• Toilets: Older, inefficient toilets typically use up to 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 Tips on How You Can Save Even More Water

While these water-saving fixtures have a significant impact by themselves, you can take additional steps to conserve water every time you use them. Here are a few of the most common:

1. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth: Try and only leave the tap running if you’re actively using it. Once you leave the bathroom or spend a couple of minutes to actually brush your teeth, turn off the faucet so you don’t waste water.

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

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

4. Use dual-flush toilets efficiently: The dual-flush feature only benefits you if everyone using that bathroom knows the right way to use it it. Use the half-flush button for liquid waste and only press the full flush for solid waste. Some handle-flush toilets also have dual-flush functionality. A quick flush uses less water, while pressing and holding the handle completes a full flush to remove solid waste more effectively.

5. Fix leaks as soon as you can: Even low-flow fixtures could eventually leak, wasting water and reducing efficiency. Spend a few minutes every now and then checking for leaks and resolve any you find to sustain your water conservation efforts.

Ask About Your Free Estimate for Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures Today

Are you ready to lower your water usage and save more money at the same time? McLoughlin Plumbing Heating & Cooling is here to help! We install efficient low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to support water and energy conservation. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can trust us to deliver the exceptional products and services you need. As soon as you’re ready to upgrade your plumbing fixtures or want more water conservation tips, please contact us today.