Water Conservation
Low flow shower heads
In
the average household, the largest consumer of water next to flushing toilets
is showering. Up to 30% of household water use can be associated with showering.
A significant impact can be made in lowering water usage, costs, and the burden
on rural septic fields by installing low flow shower heads to service your bathroom
showering needs in a new or existing house.
Many consumers needlessly
shy away from low flow showerheads based on experiences they have had in hotels
or other showers with low flow heads that do not provide adequate performance.
For a small price premium, there are several excellent low flow showerheads on
the market which do not sacrifice performance for water savings.
R-2000 Homes must low flow
showerheads rated at 9.8 liters per minute (2.15 GPM) or less at 80 psi water
pressure.
Low
flow faucets
Typical kitchen and bathroom
faucets have flow rates far in excess of what's usually required or can be used.
Aerating faucets give the illusion of more water flow than is actually the case.
R-2000 Homes must use aerated
faucets.
Other
options
Other options which should
be considered to reduce water usage in your new home may be:
- Purchasing a front load
water conserving clothes washer
- Collecting rain water for
outdoor irrigation use
- Landscaping with low water
requirements in mind - reducing lawn turf areas in favor of decks, interlocking
stone, walkways, and native (more drought resistant) plants reduce the need for
exterior water use.
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