For this part of the site I’d like to “go green” for a bit. Have you heard that the average US household goes through 11 gallons or more of water every day just from using the faucets? This doesn’t even include flushing toilets, doing laundry or running the dishwasher.
To make matters worse, if your kitchen faucet is one of the older models, the amount of water you use might be way beyond what you really need. For instance, your current older faucet’s flow may be around two gallons per minute. If you installed a newer faucet with a flow of 1.8 gallons per minute, you could use less water and never know the difference!
This last point is important. Lots of people believe that if they install a new, more efficient faucet with a lower rate of flow, they’ll notice a drop in their water pressure. You’ll be happy to hear that the latest technology lets manufacturers make faucets that allow you to use less water without sacrificing good water pressure.
Why is this important?
There are a couple of good reasons. Firstly, it’s probably obvious to you that if you use less water, you’ll pay less on your water bill. The other main reason has to do with ecology or “going green” as I mentioned above. We’ve all heard about how much of a strain human consumption is putting on our resources here in America and all over the world. Water is one of the most important natural resources we have.
Just as with oil and natural gas, it’s getting more and more expensive all the time to keep up with the demand for clean, safe tap water. This could end up being dangerous for public health, as well as being costly. You’ve probably already noticed that water bills have been getting more expensive in recent years. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hard at work ensuring that your home has access to high-quality water, but they need all of us to pitch in and do our part.
Your Current Kitchen Faucet
Even if you’re here at this website because you’ve only just started considering getting a new kitchen faucet, it would be worth your while to look closely at the faucet you currently have. One major reason for water wastage is leaks, and our faucets are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to leaking. Is your faucet dripping right now, or is there even a tiny leak? If so, get it repaired and you’ll be saving money and helping the environment at the same time.
If your faucet doesn’t already include an aerator, you might consider getting one. It’s a good way to reduce how much water your family uses even without investing in a brand new faucet. There’s no need to spend money buying a new faucet when there are less expensive ways to use less water!
If you’re buying a new kitchen faucet
You’ll see lots of reviews here on my site that cover all different types of faucet for your kitchen, from the classic two-handled type to cutting-edge MotionSense technology. If getting a “green” faucet is a high priority for you, here are some points to help you find one:
- Does it carry a WaterSense label? This label shows you that the company participates in the WaterSense program by meeting all of the EPA’s requirements.
- What kind of valve does it use? Ceramic valves are the best available option. More manufacturers are using these because they are less prone to leakage over the long term.
- Look for faucets that include aerators: though in fact, you might have trouble finding a new faucet that doesn’t have an aerator.
- A pause function can also help you conserve water. This feature prevents you from leaving the water running when you’re not using it. To see an example of this function, check out my Kohler K-560-VS review.
Overall
For a lot of you, I know the appearance of your new faucet is the main thing on your mind, and that’s fine. Of course you’re looking for a faucet that fits the décor of the rest of your kitchen. But just remember that you can get models that help the environment and save you money, in addition to looking great.