How to Increase The Efficiency of Your Plumbing System to Lower Costs

August 21, 2023

If you’re looking for ways to lower your water bill, you don’t need to limit the number of showers you take or cut down the number of times you run the dishwasher per week. Instead, you could install efficient plumbing fixtures that will limit water usage without affecting your comfort and satisfaction.

1. Low-flow showerheads

Older showerheads were created with a flow rate of 5.5 gallons per minute (GPM) and could really drive up your monthly water usage. Modern low-flow showerheads have flow rates of less than 2.5 GPM at a water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch.

The laminar-flow showerhead will form streams of water and improve temperature control, whereas the aerating low flow showerhead will mix water with air to create a misty water spray that will add steam to your shower.

2. Low-flow toilets

Low-flow and low-flush toilets have been designed with water efficiency in mind, averaging 1.6 GPF instead of the 3.5 GPF of traditional toilets. Many low flow toilets also have a wider drainage passage to reduce the risk of clogs.

Gravity-assisted low-flow toilets use the weight of water to push waste down the bowl, whereas pressure-assisted low-flow toilets use air pressure inside the tank to push the waste down the drain.

3. Low-flow faucets

Old faucets may use more than 2.5 GPM, compared to modern faucets that can use less than 1.5 GPM. You may replace it with a new faucet or add an aerator or flow restrictor that would limit water usage.

4. Lawn sprinkler system flow timer

There are a variety of lawn sprinkler systems you could install, depending on your landscape needs. Above-ground sprinkler systems may have a flow timer, which monitors the amount of water they use and can be adjusted to limit water usage.

5. Low-water landscaping

Most homeowners don’t put much thought to how much water their garden or lawn requires over the course of a month. Some plants require more water than others, and a dry climate can further increase water consumption. Consider planting succulents and using rocks to reduce usage.

Read more about the signs that your drains need to be repaired.