Save Water, Energy, and Money When Choosing Household Products
Save Water, Energy, and Money When Choosing Household Products
Are you ready to upgrade your water-guzzling and energy-intensive products? Choosing efficient fixtures for your home doesn’t require sacrificing performance or price and can help you save water, energy, and money.
Efficient products have come a long way. Low-flow toilets got a bad reputation in the 1990s for poor performance and the dreaded double flush. But thanks to improved designs, today’s toilets work better and use even less water. Many other modern products like sprinkler timers and washing machines use the latest technology to perform well while saving water and money, too.
But how can you be sure you are purchasing efficient products?
Look for the Labels
The WaterSense and ENERGY STAR labels will help you find products that have been rigorously tested by third parties to meet performance and efficiency standards. See the logo images, below, for reference.
WaterSense makes it simple to find products that are at least 20 percent more water-efficient than average. ENERGY STAR is the symbol to look for energy-efficient products including appliances that use hot water (like dishwashers and washing machines).
Before you make your next purchase, look for these labels on the product or shop for products by using these search tools: WaterSense or ENERGY STAR.
Save Indoors and Outdoors
Did you know that toilets are the biggest water-user in the home? They account for nearly a quarter of residential indoor water use! If your toilet is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a WaterSense toilet to save water and keep your water bill as low as possible. Some (but not all!) WaterSense toilets may also qualify for a rebate of up to $100.
When shopping for a new faucet, look for Water Sense models that have adjustable flow rates or ones with flow rates of 1.8 gallons per minute or less for kitchen faucets and 1.2 gallons per minute or less for bathroom faucets. Faucets with adjustable spray patterns can also save on water and help you get the most out of a lower volume of water. Avoid “waterfall” style faucets which don’t have aerators and can have high flow rates.
Choosing a WaterSense showerhead with an adjustable spray pattern is also a great way to save water. For the ultra water-conscious members of your household, consider buying a showerhead that has an on-off switch that allows them to turn the water off when lathering up.
Be sure your next washing machine is ENERGY STAR certified. We also recommend that you consider choosing a front-loading machine. They are more efficient, kinder on your clothes, and extract more water from clothes than top-loading machines. Washing machine rebates may be available from your energy utility. Learn more at Puget Sound Energy.
ENERGY STAR dishwashers can use 10 fewer gallons of water per cycle and less than half as much energy than dishwashers made before 1994. On average, you could save $40 per year and 1,300 gallons of water during the dishwasher’s lifetime! Also, be sure to scrape your plate and let your dishwasher do the rest.
Smart sprinkler timers help keep your landscape properly hydrated by using real-time weather data to adjust watering times and frequencies. On warmer days, smart sprinkler timers water more; on cooler days, they water less. They will also adjust to rainfall, skipping irrigation cycles as needed. Studies show that if you water your landscape often and rarely adjust the watering duration or frequency during the year, then a smart sprinkler timer may reduce your water use by up to 25 percent more! Replace your old sprinkler timer with a new WaterSense-certified timer and receive up to a $100 rebate ($10 for each zone on your timer).
Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, you have the power to become a smarter consumer. Find out more about how you can take advantage of water-saving tips, rebates, and more at the Saving Water Partnership.
