Many old water-using appliances and fixtures not only look outdated but they’re also extremely inefficient. Upgrading your home’s water appliances and fixtures can provide a cost-effective upgrade and also dramatically reduce your water consumption, leading to lower water bills and a better footprint on the environment.
In our most recent blog, the water professionals at Indiana American Water discuss some of the benefits of installing water-conserving appliances and fixtures.
How New Fixtures and Water-Efficient Appliances Can Benefit Your Home
Fixtures
Installing water-efficient fixtures can save hundreds of gallons of water per year and benefit the environment and your wallet. Some new plumbing fixtures to consider installing in your home include:
- High-efficient toilets. If you have a toilet that’s been around since before 1990, then it is likely a real water-waster. Toilets manufactured before 1990 often used 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush. Since 1994, the current federal standard allows toilets to use 1.6 gpf, while water-efficient toilets are considered to use 1.2 gpf or less.
- High-efficiency showerheads. Showers and baths take up the lion’s share of a home’s water usage. If you have several people who live in your home, you can benefit from installing high-efficiency showerheads. Water-efficient showerheads use less than 2 gallons of water per minute. This will reduce your water bill and save on electricity costs since there will be less demand placed on your water heater.
- High-efficiency faucets. New faucets in your bathroom and kitchen not only instantly improve the look of these rooms, but they will also significantly cut down on your home’s water usage. Compared to inefficient faucets that use about 2.2 gallons of water per minute, efficient faucets have a flow rate of about 1.5 gallons per minute. Since most homes have multiple faucets, the savings can really add up during the course of a year.
Dishwashers
Some homeowners are tempted to hold on to an appliance for as long as possible to put off the cost of buying a new unit. However, this isn’t always a good idea if your current appliance is inefficient.
Dishwasher technology has improved dramatically over the years, as new units are both energy- and water-efficient. According to ENERGY STAR, an ENERGY STAR-certified dishwasher only costs about $35 a year to run.
Washing machines
Just like dishwashers, washing machines are also much more efficient due to dramatically improved technology. Energy Star-certified washing machines use an estimated 33% less water and 25% less energy than regular washing machines.
Indiana American Water Is Committed to Conserving Water
Upgrading to water-efficient appliances is beneficial not only to the environment but also to your bottom line. Indiana American Water is committed to water conservation to ensure future generations have access to clean and safe water.