Making the switch to low-flow fixtures can be a strategic idea for a few different reasons. First of all, it can help you save water. As a result, it can save you money on your water bills. In Syracuse, NY, many of us are dealing with relatively high utility costs, so every bit of savings can be important.
Low-Flow Showerheads
The flow rate of a showerhead indicates how many gallons of water flows through it per minute. A low-flow showerhead is considered to be any model that uses less than 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Many low-flow models have flow rates in the range of 2 to 2.5 gallons per minute, but there could be some that even go lower. In contrast, an older showerhead might use 5 or 6 gallons per minute. Clearly, this is a huge contrast. It’s likely that you’re using a lot of water each time you shower if you live in an older neighborhood of Syracuse and haven’t made any recent renovations to your bathroom. Making the switch to a newer showerhead is fairly straightforward, and if you’d like a professional to take care of the plumbing installation, our team at Country Gentlemen Plumbing is here to help.
Low-Flow Toilets
Water consumption for a toilet is measured in gallons per flush. Older toilets that can be found in some homes in Syracuse might use between 5 and 7 gallons per flush. In comparison, a new low-flow toilet only uses 1.6 gallons of water or less per flush. The industry actually set the rate of 1.6 gallons per flush back in 1994. Over the past few decades, the industry has made huge advances, and there are toilets that are very efficient with their water usage. You might even consider switching from a toilet that uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush to a toilet that uses less than a gallon per flush.
Low-Flow Faucets
Similarly, there are also low-flow faucets available. We use so much water in the kitchen and bathroom when washing our hands and doing other tasks, so making a small change to your faucets can make a big difference in your water consumption. A low-flow faucet might use around 1.5 gallons of water per minute, which could be less than half of the flow rate of a traditional faucet.
Everything Adds Up
When looking at water consumption, it’s important to examine the big picture. When we do that, it’s clear that we’re all using dozens of gallons of water in our households each day. Cutting back on that water consumption is recommended, and if you switch to low-flow toilets, showerheads, and fixtures, you can see major reductions in water usage without having to make any changes to your daily routine. For assistance with this anywhere in the Syracuse area, please call us at Country Gentlemen Plumbing today.
