What’s the importance of conserving water, and why should consumers consider purchasing WaterSense-labeled products? In this blog post, we’ll address what the WaterSense designation means and how you can save water, money and energy by choosing efficient products that aid the conservation of this precious resource.
The Importance of Water Conservation
Water is vital for line and is one of our most precious natural resources. Water may cover most of the earth’s surface, but it’s not a limitless resource – only around one percent can be used as drinking water. In the United States alone, a majority of states anticipate water shortages in the next decade. So how can you contribute to water conservation efforts in your everyday life? By starting at home.
Many older household appliances – faucets, toilets, showerheads, sprinkler systems and more – use significant amounts of water, and inefficiently at that. Nowadays, innovative designs and technological advances enable consumers to use water-efficient plumbing fixtures and appliances that still deliver on performance. Just look for the WaterSense logo indicating a product meets water conservation standards.
What Is the WaterSense Program?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) founded the WaterSense program to foster nationwide conservation so Americans would reduce water use at home, work and outdoors. The goal is to conserve this resource so it is available for future generations by promoting efficient water use through education and by using products and services that provide measurable water savings.
The EPA uses the WaterSense label to indicate that a product meets water efficiency and performance standards. Products bearing the WaterSense designation are guaranteed to provide 20% greater water efficiency while performing as well as or better than less efficient counterparts in the same category. In fact, the EPA performs meticulous performance assessments to ensure consumer satisfaction with WaterSense products to promote long-term public trust and use of said products.
Why Choose WaterSense Products
The EPA only grants the WaterSense designation to products that meet water efficiency standards and performance criteria and have passed independent, third-party certification. With thousands of products on the consumer market conforming to WaterSense standards, there are many options to consider in the quest for water efficiency.
Think about how much water you would save if your home had a WaterSense-certified irrigation system, faucets, toilets and showerheads. Just by updating your faucets, you could save up to 700 gallons of water annually. And by switching to a WaterSense-labeled irrigation controller, you could save up to 15,000 gallons of water per year.
It’s also important to understand that water efficiency reduces your energy bill. It takes energy to filter, heat, pump and treat water as it flows to and from your home. Conserving water through WaterSense-labeled products therefore also helps lower your energy bill.
According to the EPA, by the end of 2021, WaterSense had saved Americans a cumulative 6.4 trillion gallons of water and over $135 billion in both water and energy bills.
Get Started with Water Conservation in Your Own Home
To get started with choosing water-efficient products for your home, reach out to a local plumbing company. Atlas Home Services’ plumbing experts have hands-on experience with many WaterSense-labeled products and are here to assist with the selection and installation process. Contact us today to get started.
