If 1 in every 10 American households installed water-saving bathroom fixtures, it is estimated that water consumption could be reduced by as much as 74 billion gallons per year, saving approximately $1.5 billion annually in utility costs. In 2006, the EPA launched “Water Sense”, an initiative that brings local water authorities, product manufacturers, and retailers together in an effort to promote water saving products and strategies to consumers. Much like “Energy Star” and other rating systems, products that meet specific water-conserving criteria carry the water sense seal of approval. Did you know that 60% of our daily water use comes from bathroom fixtures?
Your morning shower consumes approximately 25 gallons of water. Replacing an existing shower head with a low-flow model (2.0 gal/min or 1.5 gal/min) can reduce that consumption by 50 – 70%.
Your daily faucet use averages around 17 gallons of water per day. A low-flow faucet can reduce this consumption by up to 30%. In your bathroom, a considerable amount of water is unfortunately wasted due to “lag time” (the time it takes tepid or cold water in the pipes to clear before hot water reaches the desired fixture).
A household of 4 can waste more than 12,000 gallons/year due to lag time. Installing a re-circulating hot water loop can greatly reduce or eliminate lag time. Toilets account for 30% of our daily home water usage. Toilets made prior to 1992, consumed 3-7 gallons per flush (GPF). Since 1992, and Congresses passage of the Energy Policy Act, low flow toilets have become the norm operating at 1.28 – 1.6 GPF.
Replacing inefficient toilets alone goes a long way in reducing your water consumption. (for retrofitting a pre-1992 water-wasting toilet, see Jan 7, 2011 blog – “Stop flushing money down the drain”) Today’s consumers are becoming more and more educated and conscious about the impact they have on the environment around them. Water conserving bathroom products are readily available, relatively inexpensive, and require little if any lifestyle changes. Do your part to conserve this precious resource.