Install Low Flow
Replacing old fixtures with low-flow models like toilets, showerheads, and faucets can pay for itself in water and energy savings. Installing new low flow shower heads alone can save Americans almost $5 billion in water and heating costs!
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
Going low-flow does not mean low pressure or reduced functionality. What it does mean is significant water and energy savings with reduced hot water use. There are three main ways to go low flow—with your showerhead, faucets, and toilets. Faucets and showerheads are easy to replace and can generally be done yourself. Toilets are a bit more complicated and it’s generally better to hire a professional. Read on for more information on each one.
Look for the WaterSense label when you purchase to find which items meet the EPA water savings criteria.
1 Install low flow showerheads
Low cost, big savings. Depending on which model you purchase, a low-flow showerhead can have a flow rate of 2.0 gallons per minute or less. Low-flow showerheads don’t have to be expensive—they cost around $10-$50 and pay for themselves quickly. The average family can save up to 3,000 gallons of water and $50/year by going low flow!
Determine if you need to install a low flow showerhead. To test your current showerhead get a bucket and place a mark at the one-gallon line. Turn the shower on to your preferred showing pressure, then place the bucket under the water. Now, count the seconds it takes to reach the mark. If the mark is reached in less than 20 seconds, you will benefit from switching to a low-flow.
Purchase and install your new showerhead. Installing a new low-flow showerhead is easy and you can probably do the job yourself. Check out this video on how to do the install.
2Install low flow faucets or aerators
What is an aerator? It is a small round device that screws into the end of your faucet, right where the water comes out, and moderates the water flow to reduce water use. To save water, install or replace your faucet’s aerator. This won’t cost you much—only $5 per aerator. Here are some tips:
Check your aerators. If you have aerators now on your faucet, check to make sure they are working properly. If the water is running slow or the faucet seems to not be working properly, this could be because the aerator is broken or clogged. It is possible to clean them out, however, if it is damaged it is much easier to replace than repair. If your aerators are old, then installing a new one will likely save water and could also improve your water flow. This is a very inexpensive investment, most faucet aerators cost around $5/faucet or less and could save up to 30% of your water use in the kitchen and bathroom and save money on your water heating bill!
Replace or add aerators as needed. Faucet aerators are very easy to replace and install. Simply unscrew the old one and take it to your local hardware store to find the correct replacement. They come in different sizes, flow rates, and some thread types. Make sure you purchase the correct one for your faucet. When removing the old aerator, make sure to also remove the rubber gasket inside or the new one will not fit. Here is a video on installing a faucet aerator.
3Install low flow toilets
Toilets are the biggest water user in the house. While older toilets can use up to 6 gallons per flush, newer higher-efficiency toilets use 1.3 gallons or less! If you have older toilets, you can save up to $100 per year on water costs if you replace them with low-flow toilets. Since toilets last a long time, you will enjoy this annual savings for many years! Here are some tips on upgrading:
Determine if your current toilets are low-flow. Starting in 1994, all new toilets were required to use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. If your toilets are older than 1994, they should likely be replaced. However, if you’re not sure when they were installed, you can look in the tank for a make and model number and look it up online or call the manufacturer.
Purchase and install your new toilet. There are a few different kinds of low-flow toilets including dual-flush models which allow you to choose one button for liquids and one for solid waste. The liquid flush uses less water providing even more savings. A plumber is recommended to do the install, and they can help you choose the best toilet for your home. A new toilet generally costs from $100 - $300 or more and add in $100 - $200 per toilet for professional installation. If you decide to go toilet shopping yourself, choose a WaterSense labeled toilet. WaterSense is the water equivalent of Energy Star and the best choice for efficiency.
Additional water savings tip. If you can’t afford new toilets now or if you just want to further improve the efficiency of your low-flow toilet, there are a couple of tricks to try. Placing a small, filled water bottle with the cap on or a small fake brick into the tank for water displacement can save water. Don’t use a real brick—they can erode causing a blockage in your toilet! Consult a professional to make sure this is a viable tactic for your specific model of toilet.