Smart Home Solutions for Water Conservation in the Bathroom
Posted on 18th June 2023
Water-efficient showers
Showering accounts for nearly 17 percent of indoor water use, making it the second largest water use in the home after toilets. Therefore, it is important to be as water-efficient as possible when showering. One way to do this is to install a water-efficient showerhead. Water-efficient showerheads are designed to use less water without sacrificing water pressure, and can save a household up to 700 gallons of water per year. Another way to conserve water while showering is to take shorter showers. A five-minute shower uses approximately 10 gallons of water, while a 10-minute shower uses approximately 20 gallons. Reducing shower time by even a minute or two can save a significant amount of water over time.
Smart faucets
Faucets are another water-using fixture in the bathroom, and smart faucets are a great way to conserve water while still maintaining water pressure. Smart faucets are equipped with sensors that detect when a user’s hands are under the faucet, and automatically turn on and off the water flow. This prevents water from being wasted when the faucet is not in use, and can save a household up to 700 gallons of water per year. Smart faucets are also equipped with filters that remove impurities from the water, providing a household with clean, filtered water.
Leak detection
Leaky pipes and fixtures are a common cause of water waste in the home, and can often go undetected for long periods of time. A water leak detection system can be a great way to monitor for leaks, and can save a household up to 10,000 gallons of water per year. Water leak detection systems are equipped with sensors that detect water leaks, and automatically shut off the water supply to prevent further water damage. These systems can be installed in the home by a professional, or purchased as a do-it-yourself kit.
Toilet sensors
Toilets are another common water-using fixture in the bathroom, and toilet sensors are a great way to conserve water while still maintaining water pressure. Toilet sensors are equipped with sensors that detect when a user is not using the toilet, and automatically shut off the water supply to prevent water waste. Toilet sensors can save a household up to 500 gallons of water per year, and can be installed in the home by a professional, or purchased as a do-it-yourself kit.
Assuming you have a newer home or have updated your fixtures, there are a few additional ways you can reduce the amount of water your household uses on a daily basis.
Low-flow showerheads
Installing a low-flow showerhead is an easy way to reduce water usage in your bathroom. Low-flow showerheads are designed to reduce water flow without sacrificing water pressure, and can save a typical household up to 2,900 gallons (10,945 litres) of water per year.
There are a few different types of low-flow showerheads on the market, including aerating, laminar-flow and ultra-low-flow showerheads. Aerating showerheads mix air with water droplets to create a fuller spray, while laminar-flow showerheads emit a steady stream of water. Ultra-low-flow showerheads have the lowest flow rate, typically around 1.5 gallons (5.7 litres) per minute, and can save even more water than other types of low-flow showerheads.
Water-saving toilets
Toilets are one of the biggest water-using fixtures in the home, accounting for approximately 27 percent of indoor water usage. If your toilet was manufactured before 1994, it is likely using 3.5 gallons (13.2 litres) of water or more per flush. Water-saving toilets, on the other hand, use 1.6 gallons (6 litres) or less per flush.
There are a few different types of water-saving toilets on the market, including high-efficiency toilets (HETs), dual-flush toilets and pressure-assisted toilets. HETs use 20 percent less water than standard toilets, while dual-flush toilets have two different flush options for solid and liquid waste. Pressure-assisted toilets use air pressure to force water into the bowl, and can save even more water than HETs.
If you’re not ready to replace your toilet, there are a few ways you can reduce the amount of water it uses. One way is to install a toilet dam or fill device, which limits the amount of water that enters the bowl with each flush. Another way is to simply reduce the amount of water you flush by placing a brick or other weighted object in the tank.
Water-saving faucets
Faucets are another common source of water waste in the bathroom. A standard faucet can flow at up to 2.2 gallons (8.3 litres) per minute, while a water-saving faucet typically flows at 0.5 gallons (1.9 litres) per minute or less. This can save a typical household up to 700 gallons (2,650 litres) of water per year.
There are a few different types of water-saving faucets on the market, including low-flow, touchless and sensor-operated faucets. Low-flow faucets restrict water flow without sacrificing water pressure, touchless faucets turn on and off with a wave of the hand, and sensor-operated faucets turn on and off automatically.
There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a water-saving faucet. First, make sure the faucet has an aerator. An aerator is a small device that attaches to the end of the faucet and mixes air with water to reduce water flow without sacrificing water pressure. Second, look for a faucet with a flow rate of 0.5 gallons (1.9 litres) per minute or less. Finally, make sure the faucet is certified by the EPA’s WaterSense program. WaterSense is a voluntary program that promotes water efficiency and provides consumers with a simple way to identify water-efficient products.
Water-saving showerheads, toilets, and faucets can save a typical household thousands of gallons of water per year. These devices are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, and can make a big difference in the amount of water your household uses.
3. Fix any leaks
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average U.S. household can waste more than 10,000 gallons of water each year from leaks. A single leaky faucet can drip at a rate of over 300 gallons per month, so fixing leaks is a great way to conserve water in the bathroom. Check all of your faucets, pipes, and fixtures for leaks, and repair them as soon as possible.
4. Install water-saving fixtures
One of the best ways to conserve water in the bathroom is to install water-saving fixtures, such as low-flow toilets, showerheads, and faucet aerators. Low-flow toilets use less water per flush, and showerheads and faucet aerators can help reduce the amount of water flow from your faucets. These fixtures are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, and they can save you a significant amount of water in the long run.
