Statistics tell us the average 2 bedroom home has 5-7 faucets. These water use faucets are in the kitchen, in the bathrooms, in the laundry room, and one or more outside for watering. Some new construction in the last 2 years even have instant hot water faucets and pot fillers for convenience, and sinks in outdoor rooms and patios. Why wait, start saving today.
Did You Know That Water Flow Control Will Save You Money & Energy?
Did you know that the EPAct92 limits the flow rate of residential kitchen and lavatory (bathroom) faucets to 2.5 gpm at 80 psi, or 2.2 gpm at 60 psi? EPA's WaterSense has adopted a more aggressive maximum flow rate of 1.5 gpm (5.7 lpm) at 60 psi for residential lavatory faucets; because of the need to fill kitchen pots with water. A new WaterSense* standard for kitchen faucets, to date has not been adopted, but think about that. It is very possible that you can implement technology to save money in all these locations in your home or business. Flow controlability is a significant water-saving feature and something you can do over a short period of time or all at once.
How Can You Begin This Process For Your Home Or Business?
Simple, inexpensive aerators can adapt most of our homes most modern kitchen or lavatory faucets into water-efficient units. They still have a flow rates as low as 0.5 gpm, but the lower the flow rate, the longer it takes hot water to reach the user (see demand-controlled hot water circulators, below). A perception of greater flow can be achieved by aerating the water stream or by creating a laminar flow (essentially a hollow cylinder of water that appears to be solid).
It is also possible to achieve significant savings with installing new technology water saving faucets designed to meet the needs of your home. Most especially kitchen faucets, which is where the majority of water in your home is used. One solution is installing a foot- or knee-operated control so that users can turn the water on and off without using their hands (and while retaining the desired temperature mix). A less expensive option is a simple lever control on the faucet itself that allows the user to temporarily reduce the flow (though usually not turn it all the way off) with a simple flick of the finger.
New technology may allow more people to experience the convenience and water savings of foot- and knee-operated controls for faucets, these devices are likely to become more common. Especially if less expensive models enter the market. We may also see sensor-activated controls that actually save water.
What options do you have to install better water saving environmentally friendly faucets in your home or business? Call us right now and ask about the Atlas Go Green Program. Atlas can help you develop a customized plan for your home or business. Green Footprint. Enroll In The Atlas Plumbing Go Green Program Today.
