There are a number of benefits to switching to water saving faucets, heads and appliances beyond the obvious advantage of lowering your monthly water bill. From an environmental standpoint, water saving fixtures and appliances are an excellent way to conserve water. It is estimated that over three trillion gallons of water a year could be saved if every home in U.S. installed energy efficient water fixtures to say nothing of the additional savings “green” appliances could offer these same households. Some communities and utility companies also offer households incentives for switching to these water-saving plumbing accessories and appliances.
Water Saving Faucets
One of the benefits of replacing fixtures is that a water-efficient faucets have a flow rate of 1.5 GPM, compared to 2.5 GPM for conventional faucets, which can save an average family around 700 gallons of water annually. This lower flow rate in no way affects performance. These faucets also reduce energy usage by putting less of a demand on hot water heaters. The addition of a flow restrictor to an existing faucet can accomplish the same objective.
Water Saving Shower Heads
That refreshing shower you take in the morning could be responsible for up to 30 percent of the water usage in your home. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that American’s waste around two trillion gallons of water every year in the shower. Making the switch to a low-flow showerhead can reduce your water consumption by up to 40 percent and also save you a couple of hundred dollars or more on your water bill. Expect to save a few dollars on your electric bill as well. You can find low flow shower heads at most hardware stores and they are quick and easy to install.
Some people resist moving to low flow shower heads because they equate them with low water pressure. If you’re concerned about sacrificing the quality of your shower in the name of water savings take heart; recent improvements have addressed the issue of lower water pressure that once made showering with low flow heads so unpleasant.
Water Saving Appliances
Water saving appliances can be a little more expensive than less efficient models but you can quickly make up for the extra cost with what you’ll save on your utility bills. These water saving appliances also use less electricity and take up less space in the home.
Switching to a more water efficient washing machine can save a family of four up to 11,900 gallons of water annually. But there are other considerations that make water saving washers a smart purchase. Most of these high-efficiency washers are front loaders which rely on tumbling action to get clothes clean, a process which is gentler on clothes and requires less detergent. And since more water is removed from clothes during the final rinse cycle drying takes less time.
A water-saving dishwater can save a four-person household up 700 gallons of water a year. The more sophisticated water efficient dishwashers use soil sensors to automatically adjust the amount of water delivered to dishes based on how dirty they are. Even more basic models can save water and energy since they typically use about one-third of the amount of water that a conventional dishwasher uses and are 41% more energy efficient.
Need help converting to water saving fixtures, faucets or appliances? Call Davis Plumbing & Drain at (480) 985-3012