Adding High Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures to Your Home Can Make a Big Impact
High efficiency plumbing fixtures can make a big dent in your water bills and save more of this resource. With few exceptions, it’s relatively easy to install low-water use plumbing retrofits, and for those that are challenging, a qualified plumber can easily undertake the job.
The EPA has made it easier for homeowners who want to save water by identifying products with low water consumption with an EPA WaterSense label.
Bathrooms
Most of the water use in a home occurs in the bathroom. A low-flow showerhead will cut water use. The current minimum standard for a showerhead is 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm), but one with a WaterSense label uses just 2.0 gpm. Not only does switching save water, it also decreases your water heating bills, especially if you replace an older showerhead that uses 5.0 gpm or more.
The drop in consumption is significant when you switch to low-flow showerheads. A five-minute shower with a 5.0 gpm showerhead uses 25 gallons of water. One that uses 2.0 gpm takes just 13 gallons. Multiplying that amount by the number of people in your home showering daily shows how installing high efficiency plumbing fixtures can lower your bills.
Low-flow toilets can also save a lot of water. Current models use 1.6 gallons per flush or less, depending on the type you choose. If your toilets are circa 1994 or older, you’re using too much water with each flush.
Kitchens and laundry
When you need to replace the dishwasher and clothes washer, choose one that’s labeled with either the Energy Star label or upgrade even more to the Most Efficient label. Not only do they use less water, they also use less electricity to operate.
Faucets
One of the easiest ways to lower indoor water consumption is by using low-flow aerators on the faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms. These are widely available at home improvement centers and simply screw on to replace the existing aerators.
If you would like more information about high efficiency plumbing fixtures, contact Apollo Home Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We provide HVAC services for the greater Cincinnati area.
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