With so many ways to use water at home, it can be hard to keep your usage under control. Water-efficient plumbing fixtures are one way to do just that without even having to change your daily habits.
Target Big Water Users
In the average home, the toilet hogs around 30 percent of the water used. Consider a plumbing upgrade and replace an old toilet with a new WaterSense-labelled model that uses 1.28 gallons or less per flush and you’ll cut your toilet’s water waste by around 40 percent. For optimal savings, look for a dual-flush model that offers two flushing options, such as 0.8 gallons for liquid waste and 1.6 gallons for solid waste.
While early low-flow toilets gained a reputation for being quick to clog, that’s no longer an issue with newer models. To earn the WaterSense label, a water-efficient plumbing fixture must perform as well as or better than standard models.
If your household includes several men or boys, a waterless urinal can help you save even more water.
Showering accounts for some 17 percent of most homes’ water use, so old shower heads are worth upgrading. WaterSense models use around 20 percent less water than standard models, helping you cut both your water and your energy bills. Shower heads must be correctly installed to reach optimal water efficiency, so have a plumber install yours.
Save at the Sink
By upgrading your old bathroom and sink faucets to water efficient models, you can reduce your water consumption at your sinks by around 30 percent. WaterSense models offer the same pressure ratings as standard models.
If you’re not up for replacing your faucets just yet, consider installing low-flow aerators. Check the flow rate imprinted on your current faucet aerators. Those rated at more than 2.75 gallons per minute (gpm) are good candidates for replacement. In the bathroom, you can go as low as 0.5 gpm. In the kitchen, however, stay close to around 2.2 gpm, especially if you often wash dishes by hand.
If you’re ready to have water efficient plumbing installed in your home, contact us at Arpi’s Industries in the Calgary area.
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