Water-saving plumbing fixtures may be just what you are looking for if you want to reduce water usage in your household. There may even be incentives or rebates available for the purchase and installation of fixtures that meet the EPA WaterSense standards for water conservation. These water-saving fixtures could also save you money each month due to lower utility bills.
Here are the top three water-saving fixtures to consider:
Low-Flow Toilets
These toilets use only 1.3 gallons of water per flush, while older toilets use between three and six gallons of water. The EPA estimates switching to these toilets could save homeowners up to $100 per month in reduced water consumption. Improved design and smooth materials allow water-saving toilets to use gravity and air pressure to remove waste from the toilet with less water than older toilets.
Water-Saving Shower Heads
Water-saving shower heads use far less water than older, traditional shower heads. They accomplish this by restricting the amount of water that flows through them while maintaining sufficient water pressure.
The EPA suggests an average American family switching to these low-flow shower heads could save over 2900 gallons of water a year. These water-efficient shower heads may also reduce demand for electricity by decreasing the amount of hot water used, thereby reducing the number of minutes the water heater is in use each day.
Water-Efficient Faucets
Much like water-saving shower heads, water-efficient faucets reduce water usage by decreasing the amount of water that can flow through the faucet. Most low-flow faucets do this through the use of faucet design, gaskets and aerators. Aerators are special gaskets that add air to the water so that less water flows out, but pressure remains constant.
According to the EPA’s WaterSense program, simply by using low-flow faucets, the average household could save the equivalent of 40 showers worth of water a year.
By installing water-saving plumbing fixtures, you could significantly reduce the amount of water your household uses each day. In addition to saving water, you may also save electricity because a significant portion of the water saved would have been heated. Along with decreased utility bills, there may be rebates or incentives available to help offset the cost of changing your plumbing fixtures. A licensed plumber can help you decide if now is the time to update your home with water-saving fixtures.
For answers to your questions, contact The Pink Plumber today.
