If you’re looking to conserve water and lower your monthly water bill, it’s essential to determine if you have high flow rate fixtures. High flow rate fixtures, such as showerheads and faucets, can use up a lot of water, leading to higher water bills and wasted resources. In this blog, we’ll discuss two ways to tell if you have high flow rate fixtures and what you can do to conserve water.
Check the Flow Rate
The easiest way to tell if you have high flow rate fixtures is to check the flow rate of your faucets and showerheads. The flow rate is the amount of water that flows through the fixture in a given amount of time and is measured in gallons per minute (GPM).
To check the flow rate of your fixtures, you can use a flow rate measuring device, which can be purchased at your local hardware store or online. Simply attach the device to your faucet or showerhead and turn on the water to get an accurate measurement.
If your fixtures have a flow rate of 2.5 GPM or higher, they are considered high flow rate fixtures. In contrast, low flow rate fixtures typically have a flow rate of 1.5 GPM or less.
Look for Water Conservation Labels
Another way to determine if you have high flow rate fixtures is to look for water conservation labels. Many faucets and shower-heads are now required to have water conservation labels that indicate the flow rate of the fixture.
For example, a faucet with a flow rate of 1.5 GPM or less will typically have a WaterSense label, indicating that it meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s water efficiency and performance criteria. Similarly, a shower-head with a flow rate of 2.0 GPM or less will have a WaterSense label.
If you don’t see a water conservation label on your fixtures, it’s possible that they are older and may have a higher flow rate. In this case, it may be time to replace them with more water-efficient fixtures.
What Can You Do to Conserve Water?
If you determine that you have high flow rate fixtures, there are several things you can do to conserve water and save money on your water bill.
One option is to replace your high flow rate fixtures with low flow rate fixtures. Low flow rate shower-heads and faucets are designed to use less water without sacrificing performance, making them a cost-effective way to conserve water.
Another option is to install aerators on your faucets. Aerators mix air with the water, reducing the flow rate without reducing the pressure, which can help save water and reduce your water bill.
In addition to these options, you can also practice water-saving habits, such as turning off the water while brushing your teeth, fixing leaky faucets promptly, and running your dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full.
Conclusion
In conclusion, checking the flow rate of your fixtures and looking for water conservation labels are two ways to determine if you have high flow rate fixtures. If you do, there are several steps you can take to conserve water, including replacing your fixtures with low flow rate models, installing aerators, and practicing water-saving habits. By taking these steps, you can conserve water, save money on your water bill, and do your part to protect our precious natural resources.