It is important to reduce water consumption and improve water efficiency for proper water management. Everyone on this planet, for survival, needs water, and that is why we must contribute whatever we can to save water at home. Water consumption is an essential factor that we all must consider, from washing to drinking to showering to all agricultural needs. We use water so frequently every day that we sometimes forget that it is far from infinite, and we must save water for ourselves as well as for future generations. We can easily do this by installing water-saving fixtures in kitchens, toilets, and wherever we use water.
Plumbing fixtures in a building include faucets, urinals, showerheads, toilets (commodes and cisterns), and other appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. In recent years, there have been a lot of technological advancements that aim to improve water efficiency with minimum to no compromise on performance.
It doesn’t really matter if you are a homeowner, in the process of building your home, or a renter, you can reduce your water expenditure with the help of water-saving fixtures. Accepting that water wastage is wrong helps everyone become more aware of water consumption and effectively save water.
Saving water is the first step towards creating a sustainable future. If you have water-saving fixtures at your home, you will notice a slight decrease in your electric bill as well.
It is essential to know about water efficiency so that we understand why it is important. Water efficiency basically means that we use less water to achieve the same service and result. Water efficiency is achieved by choosing appliances at home that save water. Using water-efficient appliances saves water and helps you achieve water efficiency.
1. Low-flow toilets
Low-flow toilets, also known as low-flush toilets, are one of the most popular water-saving fixtures with homeowners who like to save water. Back in the 1990s, such water-saving technologies were introduced, which in present times have become more sustainable in terms of styles and functionalities. Low-flow toilets are usually expensive to install, and their maintenance cost is also a bit high compared to traditional toilet fixtures. Still, they can also save you a significant amount of money over time.
Low-flush toilets come with two methods to clear waste: one is gravity, and the other is pressure assistance. The best thing about gravity toilets is that they can effectively flush out waste. This is when water flows down from the tank into the bowl and flush the content, while gravity carries all the debris down through the pipes.
Pressure-assisted toilets, on the other hand, work as water balloons. In this, the toilet tank is filled with water and is held there under pressure. When the flush valve opens, gravity and pressure combine for a powerful flow.
Pros:
- Low-flow toilets are the best for saving water. It helps in decreasing the quantity of water that is needed for channelizing waste through the plumbing system. Not only this, but it also can help in saving money through sustainable usage. It enables you to save money right away. The EPA estimates that homeowners save at least 110 dollars per year on their water bills by installing low-flow toilets.
- Low-flow toilets are long-lasting, and they don’t need replacing for 30 years.
- They are the best-suited option for newly constructed homes.
Cons:
- Low-flush toilets use less pressure and less water compared to traditional toilets, so they may not always flush properly. A second or third flush may be required to make sure all heavy waste has cleared out of the bowl.
- They operate on gravity and pressure, therefore, they may not work effectively with your existing plumbing if you live in an older home. The older your house is, the greater the chances that your plumbing needs adjustment to be compatible with low-flush toilets.
2. Dual-flush toilets
Dual-flush toilets make use of two buttons for flushing out water. A good amount of water is used for flushing solid waste, whereas a small quantity of water is used for flushing liquid waste. On the other hand, a mechanism known as a flush mechanism is more expensive than many other low-flush toilets. There are also different dual-flush toilets that use siphon valves and can be operated by using a lever instead of some buttons. The tipping bucket cistern in a dual-flush toilet can also function properly when the lever is rotated halfway.
Pros:
- It reduces your water bill
One of the best advantages of this water-saving fixture is that it saves your money. They are highly efficient and use less water, so having this model at home will help you save water and reduce your bill too.
- Environmentally friendly
Dual-flush toilets do not consume a lot of water compared to ordinary toilets. Standard toilets always flush by using water to siphon all the waste out of the toilet bowl. When water is used to push water, it leads to a lot of wastage. In addition, the traditional toilets also use the maximum of water that they have. All these are the demerits of a standard flush toilet that dual-flush toilets don’t have.
Cons:
- Dual-flush toilets require more efficient cleaning than single-flush models. These toilets have the habit of retaining less water in the bowl, increasing the dirtiness. So, they need regular and effective cleaning.
- Dual-flush models are usually not compatible with older homes. Moreover, older plumbing may have dips, developed sags, or other problems that don’t allow a dual flush toilet to work correctly.
3. Shower heads
We all love spending time in the shower, don’t we? But a lot of water is wasted when we take a shower. Close to five gallons of water is used per unit by a typical shower head. Rain head showerheads (What Is A Low-Flow Showerhead) are one of the top water-saving fixtures that you should use to conserve water. They cover your body fully to give you a healthy shower without wasting water. They also make the water flow fuller without using a lot of water.
Pros:
- Coverage
A shower head provides full coverage, and you don’t have to do anything to adjust the positions to take a shower. All you need to do is stand and relax, and the shower head will take care of the rest.
- Relaxed feeling
It offers a soothing and relaxing feeling. If you want to feel energized or de-stress, then go for a shower using a shower head. It de-stresses the body, relaxes the muscles, and calms your mood.
- The best features
They come with advanced settings that allow you to adjust the water pressure and temperature properly. You can also find various other features like multiple spray settings, LED lighting, superior designs, and refreshing massage.
- Easy maintenance
They come with rubberized anti-clog nozzles that are easy to clean. It would be best if you wiped the nozzle thoroughly with a soft cloth to remove dirt and dust.
- It saves water
One of the best features of a shower head is that it helps us save water. It provides an even supply of water on the body that also helps complete the shower in less time.
Cons:
- Expensive
One of the significant disadvantages of using a shower head is that they are quite expensive. While the low-end versions of showerheads cost less, you will likely have to spend much more for the better ones.
- Not suitable for rented apartments
The design of a rain shower is such that it requires to be installed at a 90-degree angle, which makes it a bit difficult to install in a rental bathroom. They are perfect for homeowners looking for a relaxing, fun experience, but you might have some installation problems for a rental bathroom.
Always consult a plumber to know all about rain shower heads and essential factors to consider before buying one.
4. Energy-efficient sink faucets
Just as showerheads help you use less water while showering, sink faucets help save water in the kitchen and bathroom. Automatic sink faucets are everywhere these days, from public restrooms to bathrooms; they have become quite popular.
Pros:
- Less water wastage
It doesn’t seem like a lot, but when we use a traditional faucet, the water runs a little more when we move our hands to turn the tap on and then when we reach for the handle to shut the faucet off. An automatic faucet runs when your hands are under it, thereby saving water.
- Easy to use
Children, people with painful ailments, and really anyone can easily operate an automatic sink faucet.
- Cleaner kitchen/bathroom
When we turn a regular faucet off, some water drips. Also, in case if your hands are not clean, and you happen to turn the tap off, chances are there that the dirt can remain on the faucet itself. You don’t have to touch an automatic sink faucet, so naturally, your bathroom/kitchen will be cleaner.
- Time-efficient
Most sink faucets can be easily fixed for the proper flow of the water and correct temperature. This means you don’t have to turn any handle to fix the temperature of the water. This helps to save a lot of your time.
Cons:
- Expensive
In general, automatic sink faucets are highly expensive. They save you money in the long-term, but initially, you might have to invest a lot in these faucets.
- Malfunction of the sensor
If the sensor malfunctions, then you won’t be able to use the automatic faucet. This is another major drawback.
5. Tankless Water Heater
When the appliances stay plugged into the wall, they draw some energy even when they are not in use. The same goes for a water heater. It heats water actively even when it is not being used. However, using a tankless water heater can solve this problem. A tankless water heater is one of the best water-saving fixtures that saves water as well as energy.
Pros:
- Lower energy bills
A tankless water heater quickly heats water as and when needed. This helps in saving water, energy, and therefore helps people lower their energy bills.
- Immediate hot water supply
Tankless water heaters don’t have any reservoir, which is why they provide us with an immediate hot water supply. This remains of the important benefits of using a tankless water heater.
- Highly durable
A tankless water heater can last up to 20 years or longer, all thanks to its easily replaceable parts.
Cons:
- Expensive
Tankless water heaters come at a higher price than conventional water heaters. Their installation and maintenance charges are also relatively high.
- Power outage reliability
A tankless water heater runs on electricity, so when the power goes out, it stops working. Hence, it is not suitable for emergency situations.
- Maintenance hassles
If you have hard water, it can be difficult for you to maintain a tanker heater. To avoid calcium buildup in your tanker, it is important to install a softener at the earliest.
Conclusion
These were some top water-saving fixtures that can help you save water, energy, time, and money. Make the best use of these fixtures and contribute to protecting the environment.
In today’s world, when everyone is battling climate change, it is important to save time and resources. And this stands true for water conservation (Why Water Conservation Is Important) as well. With the help of the best water-saving solutions, we can make use of sustainable assistance for better preservation of water. Improving water conservation and reducing water wastage is an important step towards sustainable water management.
Everyone, with consistent efforts, can contribute a lot to water conservation at home. This ranges from plumbing fixtures that will put the cisterns and commodes, showerheads, etc, to several other appliances like dishwashers.
With minimum water use, attempting to reuse water, conserving energy are some of the many steps towards adopting a water-efficient home. Also, according to water experts, reducing unnecessary use of water by 50 liters per person a day can prevent the need for infrastructure like dams, desalination plants, etc.