Each time you turn on a faucet or flush the toilet, water runs down the drain. This could equate to thousands of gallons of wasted water per year per household. Wondering what can you do to prevent water wastage in your homes and protect the environment? Look for a WaterSense label.
What Does the WaterSense Label Mean?
The WaterSense initiative is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The WaterSense label is an endorsement on the product that guarantees the product that you use to deliver your water meets the EPA’s criteria of:
- Efficiency
- Best performance
- Energy saving
- Uses 20% less water than the regular product
- Performs better than the regular product
Checking for the WaterSense label on any toilet, showerhead, or faucet before you buy the product means that you are contributing to reducing and conserving water in your home.
If your new fixture does not display the WaterSense label, it is not a certified water-saving product.
Are WaterSense Toilets Worth It?
Most regular toilets in an average household are water guzzlers using 6 gallons (22.7 liters) per flush. This accounts for 30% of indoor water consumption, costing you a fortune!
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), replacing your regular old toilet with a water-saving low-flow toilet can save you up to 13,000 gallons (49,210 liters) of water per year – saving around $140/year or $2,900 over the lifetime of the toilet.
What is a Water Efficient Toilet?
A water-efficient or low-flow toilet is designed to save water by using less water per flush. A single flush from a water-efficient toilet uses 1.28 gallons (4.8 liters) per flush.
A water-efficient toilet uses water velocity instead of water volume to remove water and waste from the toilet.
A WaterSense-certified low-flow toilet has the ability to:
- Clean the bowl’s surface
- Transport human waste through a drain line
- Clear waste and toilet paper from the bowl
How much water will you save with these toilets? Read my post, Water-Saving Toilets: How Much Will You Save? to find out and learn more about water-saving toilets.
How is a Watersense Toilet Different From a Regular Toilet?
Water-saving toilets are more sustainable and eco-friendly than regular toilets. Water-saving toilets, or low-flow or low-flush toilets, are designed to use less water to remove the contents of the bowl than regular toilets.
Regular toilets have one setting – a full flush. They are designed to use the same amount of water to remove waste from the bowl.
Water-saving toilets offer a dual-flush option, using half the flush for liquid waste and a double flush for solid waste. This prevents unnecessary bowl cleaning and water wastage.
Looking to upgrade your toilet? Smart toilets are the latest intelligent device designed to save you time and money while benefiting the environment. Read my article to find out how a Smart toilet can benefit you!
The Best Overall WaterSENSE Toilet
PROS
- One-piece tankless smart toilet
- Built-in bidet for personal cleaning
- LCD screen for temperature indicator
- Remote control flushing
- Dual-flush technology
CONS
- Installation by a professional
Color: White
Material: Ceramic/Plastic
Mounting: Floor
Dimensions: 27.2 x 16.1 x 19”
The EPLO Smart Toilet is the Rolls-Royce of modern smart toilets and earns the #1 position on my list of the best water-saving toilets.
This is no ordinary toilet. Built-in smart dual-flush technology will activate either a full flush or a half flush on startup, using only 1.6 GPF (6 liters) or 1.1 GPF (4.1 liters), saving water on unnecessary flushing!
Aesthetically, this ultra-thin ceramic toilet is suitable for most bathrooms and has the following standard features:
- A built-in LCD screen that shows the seat and water temperatures – there are 6 adjustable temperatures are available for your convenience
- A hands-free flushing operation using a wireless remote control device or a foot-sensing button
- A built-in bidet provides an arc-shaped nozzle and a warm air dryer
My article Why Buying a Smart Toilet is a Smart Move & Top Picks provides an in-depth look at why smart toilets like this one are the intelligent choice for your bathroom!
Are WaterSense Showerheads Worth it?
The average U.S. household uses up to 40 gallons (181 liters) of water every day in the shower. That’s 1.2 trillion gallons of water across the country annually!
These stats are based on a regular showerhead using 2.5 gallons (9.4 liters) of water per minute. Heating that much water during every shower is expensive and uses a tremendous amount of energy to heat the water.
But, simply by changing your showerhead to a more water-efficient one, you can reduce the amount of water your household uses. The result? You’ll save both money and energy.
What is a Water Efficient Shower Head?
Water-efficient or low-flow showerheads reduce the rate of water that flows from the shower head. Low-flow showerheads have a water flow rate of 2.0 Gallons Per Minute (GPM) (9 liters) or less, while a regular shower head has a water flow rate of 2.5 GPM (11.3 liters) or more.
Before you change your regular showerhead for a new and improved water-efficient one, check for the certified WaterSense stamp of approval to ensure that the shower head meets the following criteria and is a genuine low-flow product:
- The maximum and minimum flow rates – a water flow of less than 2.0 GPM (9 liters)
- The pressure range – ensure minimum water flow across a range of household water pressures.
- Spray force and coverage – adequate spray force and spray distribution
WaterSense Shower Head vs Regular Shower Head
Regular showerheads rely on the pressure flow of the water from the water mains to the showerhead. This can result in a heavy, fast flow of water, or a slow trickle, depending on the water pressure in your area.
Low-flow shower heads use a more effective water delivery system. They deliver a steady flow of water regardless of the pressure, offering a more pleasant showering experience.
| Type of Showerhead | Time of Shower | Amount of water |
|---|---|---|
| Regular showerhead | 10 minutes | 25 gallons (113 liters) |
| Low-flow WaterSense showerhead | 10 minutes | 20 gallons (75 liters) |
As low-flow showerheads are designed to use less water than regular showerheads, a 10-minute shower using a regular showerhead could use 25 gallons (113 liters) of water. Taking the same shower with a low-flow WaterSense showerhead would use 20 gallons (75 liters) of water.
You can save 3,180 gallons (14,456 liters) of water annually, simply by switching from a regular to a certified WaterSense-approved showerhead!
The more water you use in the shower, the more energy you need to heat the water. So, by replacing a regular showerhead with a low-flow showerhead, you automatically cut costs by reducing your water heating bill – great for the environment!
Also, with the advent of smart technology, you can replace your old regular showerhead with a smart shower that will remember the ideal water temperature for each user. Read my article on smart showers to find out what you need to know and a few top picks!
The Best Low-Flow Shower Head
PROS
- Easy to install
- Made in the USA
- WaterSense certified
- Climate pledge friendly
CONS
- The stream of water from the showerhead is louder than a regular showerhead
Color: Chrome/Brushed Nickel/Oil-rubbed/ Bronze/Polished Brass
Material: Solid Metal
Water flow rate: 1.5 GPM (6.8 liters)
Dimensions: 2.5”x 1”(6.3 x 2.5cm)
High Sierra’s All metal 1.5 GPM (6.8 liters) high-efficiency, low-flow adjustable showerhead adds a touch of class to your bathroom. This wall-mounted, round shower head with a choice of 4 high-quality finishes has a clog-free nozzle and delivers a stream of high-energy water every time!
The solid metal construction of this shower head ensures a high-quality, durable product. Proudly made in the USA by a family-owned company, this product is easy to install and has a great range of motion.
Are WaterSense Faucets Worth It?
While regular faucets have a water flow rate of 2.2 GPM (8.3 liters), WaterSense faucets cannot have a flow rate of more than 1.5 GPM (6.8 liters).
According to the EPA, replacing old, worn, regular faucets with WaterSense-certified faucets could save 700 gallons (2 649 liters) of water per household annually! This equates to a saving of 11,000 gallons (41 639 liters) of water per faucet over its lifetime.
Simply fitting a new WaterSense-certified aerator or faucet or replacing an old aerator on your existing faucet can help you save water and money on your water bills.
What is a Water Efficient Faucet?
Water-efficient faucets are designed to reduce the water flow by 30% or more and still provide a constant flow of water.
Faucets are simple devices, so to improve their water flow and make them more efficient, you can fit WaterSense-approved low-flow aerators onto your faucets. This device delivers a heavier water flow over a wider pressure range, shortening the water flow time.
This reduces the amount of water you use when washing your hands or brushing your teeth.
All WaterSense-certified faucets and aerators must comply with the following standards:
- The minimum water flow rate must provide an adequate flow rate at a low water pressure
- All plumbing fittings need to be lead-free
- The faucet has to work well throughout its intended life cycle
How is a WaterSense Faucet Different From a Regular Faucet?
The main difference between a regular faucet and a certified low-flow WaterSense faucet is its performance.
While water flow for a regular faucet is determined by the pressure, a low-flow faucet will have constant water pressure every time.
WaterSense faucets are more efficient than regular faucets slowing down the water flow rate, using 20% less water, and saving you money.
Install a touchless faucet in your bathroom to help you save water and costs. They might be pricey initially, but they are ecofriendly and you’ll recoup your investment in the long-haul.
The Best WaterSense Faucet
PROS
- Solid copper and brass
- Lead-free
- Ceramic disc cartridge
- Easy installation
CONS
- No warranty
Color: Brushed gold, Oil-rubbed bronze, Brushed nickel, Matte black, Polished Chrome
Material: Brass
Number of handles: 2
Number of holes: 3
Water flow rate: 1.2 GPM (4.5 liters)
Mounting type: Deck mounted
Dimensions: 13.63” x 3.75” x 4” (34.6 x 9.5 x 10.1cm)
The Duttao Widespread Sink Faucet offers stylish and functional faucets to add a touch of class to any bathroom and match any décor.
The beautiful brass faucet is WaterSense approved with a water flow rate of 1.2 GPM (4.5 liters). The ceramic (as opposed to plastic) cartridge is great for durability.
Deck-mounted and available in a wide array of colors, this faucet can be color-coordinated to match your space.
Why Smart Bathrooms Conserve Water
Smart bathrooms are designed to be just that – smart! Not only can they make life a little easier, but they are incredibly energy-efficient and great for the environment.
As most of our water wastage happens in the bathroom, using smart technology can help conserve water and reduce your energy bill.
A smart bathroom allows you to use your smart device to control your smart home devices. Customize and personalize your bathroom experience with a smart shower system. It will let you preset an ideal water temperature for each user.
A smart toilet can be programmed to use a certain amount of water per flush. It can detect leaks before you do, preventing water loss and saving you money! Interested? See my top smart toilet picks here.
Set the temperature on your smart faucet to preheat or control the water used.
Setting up a smart bathroom might be costly, but the long-term investment is worth it!
Why Tankless Water Heaters Are Energy Efficient
Is a tankless water heater energy efficient? Yes, actually.
A tankless water heater is more energy efficient than a conventional storage-tank water heater, especially when installed in homes that use less than 41 gallons (155 liters) of hot water per day.
Tankless or “on-demand” water heaters deliver 2 -3 gallons (7.5 – 11 liters) of warm water every minute, reducing the need to let the water flow for 15 to 20 seconds to become hot as you would with a storage-tank water heater.
This equates to a 24% to 34% saving in water and the energy required to heat it.
Tags: Best WaterSense Shower Head, Water Efficient Shower Head, WaterSense Faucet, WaterSense Shower, WaterSense Shower Head vs Regular Shower Head, WaterSense Toilets