Saving water isn’t just for our current generation but generations to come. Make a point of buying products with the WaterSense label to save you water and money. Created in 2006, WaterSense is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-sponsored program. The primary purpose is to protect the water supply in the US. They do that by providing consumers with facts about the products they are about to purchase without having to do the research themselves. In the past, a consumer would make a purchase based strictly on style without knowing if the product was energy efficient or not.
WaterSense Performs Rigorous Testing For Efficiency
Products with the WaterSense label must adhere to the EPA’s water efficiency performance guidelines. An independent third party validates the product’s performance for certification. Certifying organizations contribute to the validity and legitimacy of the WaterSense label by validating and testing products for compliance to WaterSense criteria of efficiency, performance, and label usage, as well as conducting periodic market surveillance.
Misconceptions About Water Saving Products
1. Water-saving products don’t perform as well as products that require more water.
Nothing is further from the truth. WaterSense labeled products are performing as well or outperforming those products without the label. Additionally, the WaterSense label tells the consumer that faucets, toilets, and showerheads have all met the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard for performance while using 20% less water.
2. Water-saving products cost more.
What you’ll find is that products with the WaterSense label are not only better engineered to save water, but they’ll save you money in the long and short run, without costing you any more than a comparable product.
3. I need to sacrifice style when purchasing a water-saving product.
The fact is, most American homeowners will not purchase a product that is not visually appealing. Manufacturers to the likes of Kohler, Delta, Moen, and many more are all part of the WaterSense program, providing stylish faucets, toilets, and showerheads.
Toilets Marked with the Water Sense Label
In 1992, George H.W. Bush signed – the Energy Policy Act (EP Act), just after Congress had passed it by a large majority. It set new standards for water usage in toilets at 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf), faucets at 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm), and showerheads at 2.5 gpm. The new rules went into action in 1994. On average, households are using 22% less water per household since 1999, according to research completed by the Water Research Foundation. Previously toilets in the 1980s used 3.5 gpf, and before 1980, toilets used 5 to 8 gpf. Believe it or not, many of those toilets are still in homes today. If you have a water-guzzling toilet, replace it with a new one that uses 1.6 gpf.
An Amazing Shower Experience With A WaterSense Labeled Showerhead
Nearly 17 percent of household water use comes from showering, accounting for nearly 40 gallons of water a household per day. According to the EPA, the United States uses 1.2 trillion gallons of water annually just on showers. In comparison, you could furnish New York and New Jersey with all their water needs for a year. Showerheads are a very affordable fixture. Purchase one with the WaterSense label, and you will never sacrifice performance. The industry standard for showerheads is 2.5 gpm, but WaterSense showerheads use 2.0 gpm. Every product that goes through the rigors of testing must get independently certified to meet the EPA standards.
Start Saving Water By Installing New Faucets and Aerators
The fact is, when we save water, we save money, and we conserve one of our natural resources. Showerheads and toilets don’t get all the press. The right faucet and aerators can also save on water. Did you know that you can save as much as 3,000 gallons of water a year just by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth? The approved flow rate for faucets is 2.2 gpm, but the standard for a WaterSense faucet is 1.5 gpm. If you’re upgrading or remodeling your bathroom, it’s a perfect time to purchase new water-efficient faucets. They come in a full range of styles, and in many cities, they offer rebates for installing new WaterSense faucets. Maybe a bathroom overhaul just isn’t in the budget. For less than five dollars a faucet, you can retrofit your faucets with new WaterSense aerators.
Calculate Your Savings
The EPA has a calculator for consumers to calculate how much they can save by purchasing products marked with the WaterSense label. Take the challenge and calculate your savings.
It Always Boils Down To Customer Choice
Conserving water has now become a movement. Builders, like KB Homes, are now building communities with products that have the WaterSense label. KB Homes was awarded, “Builder Partner of the Year” in 2012 and 2013. We’re strong advocates of products with the WaterSense label, but it still boils down to choice. Please help us save for this generation and the next.