Federal standards for high-efficiency water and energy specifications have made an impact on reducing household water use. A house built in 2011 on average uses 35% less indoor water than homes built before 1994. The figure below summarizes the changes that stemmed from the US Energy Policy Act of 1994 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
|
Flow Rates for Typical Household Fixtures and Appliances*
|
|
Type of Use
|
Pre-Regulatory Flow2
|
Regulatory Standards and Flows
|
Current WaterSense/ ENERGY STAR Specification1
|
|
Federal Law
|
Year Effective
|
Regulatory Standard (maximum)
|
|
Toilets
|
3.5 gpf
|
US Energy Policy Act
|
1994
|
1.6 gpf
|
1.28 gpf
|
|
Showers
|
2.75 gpm
|
US Energy Policy Act
|
1994
|
2.5 gpm
(at 80 psi)
|
2.00 gpm
|
|
Faucets3
|
2.75 gpm
|
US Energy Policy Act
|
1994
|
2.5 gpm or
1.5 gpm
(at 80 psi)
|
1.50 gpm
(at 60 psi)
|
|
Dishwashers
|
14 gpc
|
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
|
2010
|
6.5 gpc
(standard)
4.5 gpc
(compact)
|
4.25 gpc
(standard)
3.50 gpc
(compact)
|
|
Clothes Washers4
|
41 gpl
(14.6 WF)
|
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
|
2011
|
26.6 gpl (estimate)
9.5 WF
|
16.8 gpl (estimate
6.0 WF
|
|
Abbreviations: gpc – gallons per cycle
gpf – gallons per flush
gpl – gallons per load
|
gpm – gallons per minute
psi – pounds per square inch
W.F. – Water factor or gallons per cycle per cubic feet capacity of the washer
|
|
*Table adapted from Hunter, M. et al. (2011).
- Source: http://www.epa.gov/watersense/ and http://www.energystar.gov websites
- Source: Handbook of Water Use and Conservation, Amy Vickers, May 2001
- Regulation maximum of 2.5 gpm at 80 psi, but lavatory faucets available at 1.5 gpm maximum
- Average estimated gallons per load and water factor
|
And it’s not just new construction. More and more people have replaced older fixtures and appliances for those meeting the new standards. All of this impacts water use. And while that’s good for conservation, it’s tough for local water utilities trying to meet their budgets. So while these fixtures will definitely save you water, the costs of treatment and transport continue to rise. As a region, we’ll all have to bear the cost together.
Sign up to receive regional planning info
Made in the U.S.A.