Water saving home upgrades: 5 steps to plan purchases

Key takeaways

• Check for leaks first and repair them before you buy anything new.
• Keep a separate list of leaks and replacement options so repairs are not overlooked.
• Look for the WaterSense label on showerheads, which confirms a flow of no more than 2.0 gallons a minute (gpm).
• Compare ENERGY STAR full-sized washers, which use 14 gallons a load, against the 20 gallons a standard machine uses.
• A washer must be a front or top-loading model with a capacity greater than 1.6 cubic feet, and it must also meet ENERGY STAR's residential or commercial clothes washer definitions.

Water saving home upgrades: how to plan your choices

The planning process separates published product criteria from household-specific measurements. You use official standards to evaluate products and appliances while recording your home's current conditions. This approach ensures your upgrade list reflects both industry benchmarks and your actual water use.

Begin by identifying existing issues before selecting new equipment. This initial check provides the baseline for your upgrade decisions.

Your plan should include both the products you are considering and the data that supports their selection. Keep product labels and published estimates alongside your list. This documentation helps you compare choices objectively. You will use these records to verify that each selection meets the criteria described in the subsequent steps.

Step one: check for leaks before listing replacements

Start by checking for leaks before you list which products or appliances to replace. Repairing existing leaks is the first planning step because it addresses water loss that is already happening in your home. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection guidance focuses on immediate actions you can take with your current plumbing setup. You do not need to buy new equipment to follow this advice. You simply need to identify which taps are dripping or running and fix them.

The City of Waterloo notes that fixing leaks early can save water and lower your bill. This perspective highlights the financial and resource benefits of addressing issues before they become larger problems. When you plan your upgrades, you should separate the cost of repairing leaks from the cost of replacing products. If you replace a faucet without fixing a leak elsewhere, you may still be losing water. Therefore, your first task is to walk through your home and identify any active leaks. For a separate walkthrough, see a guide to checking your water meter for leaks.

You should record these leaks on a separate list from your replacement options. This distinction helps you prioritize immediate repairs over future purchases. A dripping tap is a current expense that you can stop. A new showerhead is a future investment that you can plan. By keeping these categories separate, you ensure that your upgrade plan does not overlook the water you are already wasting. The table below summarizes the leak advice from the two publishers cited in this section.

Steps two through four: assess showerheads, toilets and faucets

When you list products for replacement, separate the published product criteria from the household savings estimates. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gives flow criteria for showerheads and bathroom faucets and savings estimates for showerheads, toilets, and faucets; while the criteria describe the product itself, the estimates apply to the average family rather than your specific household. Use the criteria to identify which products meet the WaterSense standard, and use the estimates to understand the general scale of potential savings.

Showerhead specifications and estimates

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that water-saving showerheads that earn the WaterSense label must demonstrate that they use no more than 2.0 gpm. Separately, the agency notes that the average family could save 2,700 gallons per year by installing WaterSense labeled showerheads. Do not assume that every low-flow showerhead carries this specific label or meets this exact demonstration requirement.

Toilet replacement estimates

For toilets, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains that by replacing old, inefficient toilets with WaterSense labeled models, the average family can reduce water used for toilets by 20 to 60 percent. The agency quantifies this as nearly 13,000 gallons of water savings for your home every year. In terms of cost, the source states that families could also save more than $170 per year in water costs, and $3,400 over the lifetime of the toilets. Your actual savings depend on the age and efficiency of your current toilet and your household’s usage patterns.

Bathroom faucet criteria and estimates

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes WaterSense labeled bathroom sink faucets and accessories that use a maximum of 1.5 gpm. The agency notes that these can reduce a sink's water flow by 30 percent or more from the standard flow of 2.2 gpm without sacrificing performance. Regarding savings, the source states that replacing old, inefficient faucets and aerators with WaterSense labeled models can save the average family 700 gallons of water per year. The agency equates this volume to the amount of water needed to take 45 showers. When assessing your bathroom faucets, check for the WaterSense label to verify the flow rate meets the 1.5 gpm maximum.

Record the current flow rate of your existing products if you have measured them, and note the WaterSense criteria for each category you are considering replacing.

Step five: compare washer water use and energy labels

When you reach the final planning step for your laundry appliance, focus on the specific efficiency metrics and certification rules provided by ENERGY STAR. The organization states that certified clothes washers use about 20% less energy and about 30% less water than regular washers. These percentages give you a clear baseline for comparing the potential impact of a new machine against your current standard model.

To understand the physical volume of water involved, look at the load capacity data. ENERGY STAR reports that full-sized washers that have earned the certification use 14 gallons of water a load, compared to the 20 gallons used by a standard machine. This difference in gallons a load is a concrete figure you can record in your planning notes to visualize the reduction in water usage for each cycle.

Before you assume a specific machine qualifies for these figures, verify its eligibility against the certification scope. If a machine is a different type or falls below the capacity threshold, it does not meet the criteria for this specific certification.

Once you have confirmed your washer type and capacity, use the product label to make your final comparison. ENERGY STAR advises using the label to determine the model's energy use, compare the energy use of similar models, and estimate annual operating costs. This label provides the specific data points needed to weigh the long-term operating expenses of different certified options against one another.

Finally, check for additional financial incentives that may apply to your purchase. ENERGY STAR indicates that partners sponsor rebates on certified products. You should investigate whether these partner-sponsored rebates are available for the specific model you are considering, keeping in mind that availability may vary by partner and location. Record any rebate details you find alongside your energy and water estimates to complete your cost analysis.

Illustrative example: planning one bathroom upgrade

Suppose a household finds 2 dripping taps and an older showerhead. It repairs both taps first. It then adds the showerhead to its replacement options and checks the label for a flow of no more than 2.0 gallons a minute (gpm). If the label confirms this, the showerhead stays on the list. The household then records the repairs and label details together in one place. This example is illustrative only, and your results will depend on your own household.

Publisher reference table for specifications and estimates

The table below consolidates the specific criteria and estimates cited in this guide, linking each data point to its original publisher. Use this reference to verify the numbers you record alongside your upgrade list.

Review each row to ensure the specific model you are considering matches the stated criteria. For example, if you are replacing a toilet, note the percentage range and annual gallon estimate provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If you are comparing washers, verify that the machine's capacity exceeds the threshold mentioned by ENERGY STAR before assuming eligibility for the label. Record these specific figures in your planning notes so you can compare them against your current usage.

Keep product labels and published estimates with your plan

When you list the washer you are considering replacing, record the model’s energy label details alongside your notes.

Keep the physical label or a clear photo of it with your upgrade list. This ensures you have the specific data points needed for the comparison step later in your planning process. Do not rely on memory for these figures, as the label provides the exact metrics for the specific unit you are evaluating.

Store this information with your leak checks and product criteria in one place. Having the label data ready makes it easier to move from planning to a final decision without needing to search for product details again.

Your next step today: walk through your home, list every dripping or running tap, and fix each one before you buy anything new.

FAQ: planning household water saving upgrades

How do I plan water saving upgrades at home?

Use the flow rates and washer data provided by official sources to guide your showerhead, faucet and appliance choices.

What flow rates does EPA describe for WaterSense showerheads and bathroom faucets?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that WaterSense showerheads must use no more than 2.0 gpm source. For bathroom faucets, the agency notes that WaterSense labeled faucets use a maximum of 1.5 gpm, which can reduce flow by 30 percent or more from the standard 2.2 gpm source.

Does ENERGY STAR washer certification cover my washer type and capacity?

Only front and top loading clothes washers with capacities greater than 1.6 cubic feet, meeting ENERGY STAR's residential or commercial definitions, are eligible for certification source. Check your specific model's capacity and loading type against these requirements.

How much water do ENERGY STAR full-sized washers use for each load compared with standard machines?

Full-sized washers that have earned the ENERGY STAR use 14 gallons of water a load, compared to the 20 gallons used by a standard machine source. This comparison helps you estimate potential water savings from upgrading your appliance.

How can a product label help me compare annual operating costs?

You can use the ENERGY STAR label to determine a model's energy use, compare the energy use of similar models, and estimate annual operating costs source. Reviewing this information allows you to make an informed decision based on long-term usage rather than just the purchase price.