You should check your fixtures to see if they have a high water flow rate. This will help you save money and conserve water. Showerheads, faucets and other high-flow rate fixtures can consume a large amount of water. This leads to increased water bills and waste. We’ll explain how to identify high-flow fixtures in this blog and what you can to to conserve water.
Check the Flow Rate
You can tell whether you have high-flow rate fixtures by checking the flow of your showerheads or faucets. The flow rate refers to the amount of water flowing through the fixture within a specified time period. This is measured in Gallons per Minute (GPM).
A flow rate measuring tool can be bought at your local store or online. To get an accurate measurement, simply attach the device on your showerhead or faucet and turn the water.
High flow rate fixtures can be defined as fixtures with a flow rate greater than 2.5 GPM. Low flow rate fixture typically have flow rates of 1.5 GPM and less.
Labels that promote water conservation are easy to find
Look for water-saving labels to find out if the fixtures you own have a high-flow rate. Most faucets, showerheads and other fixtures are now required by law to display water conservation labels which indicate the flow rates of the fixtures.
WaterSense is usually attached to a faucet that has a flow rate less than 1.5 GPM. It indicates the product meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s performance and water efficiency criteria. WaterSense labels are also attached to showerheads with flow rates of less than 2 GPM.
If your fixtures don’t have a label indicating water conservation, they may be older and flow at a higher rate. If this is the case, you may want to consider replacing them with fixtures that are more water efficient.
What can we do to conserve our water?
There are many ways to save money and conserve water if you find that your fixtures have a high flow rate.
Replace your high flow fixtures with low-flow fixtures. Low flow rate faucets and showerheads are designed for less water usage without sacrificing performance. This is a cost-effective method to conserve water.
Aerators can be installed on faucets. Aerators add air to the water flow, reducing its rate of flow while maintaining pressure. They can reduce water consumption and your water bill.
Water-saving practices include turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth, repairing leaky taps immediately, and only running your dishwasher or washing machine when it is full.
Conclusion
You can determine whether you have high-flow fixtures by checking their flow rates and by looking at water-saving labels. There are several ways to conserve water if you have high-flow fixtures. These include replacing them with models that use less water, installing aerators and adopting water saving habits. These steps will help you conserve water, reduce your water bill and protect our natural resources.