Home remodeling is a great way to give your kitchen or bathroom a brand new look and improve their functionality. It also gives you a chance to make better choices in terms of equipping your home with eco-friendly products. We’re not just talking materials, but features like appliances and fixtures as well. For example, old fixtures tend to spend more water while new ones were specifically designed to prevent water waste. The same goes for other appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. New models work just as well using significantly less water. That said, if you are planning a home remodeling project in the near future, here are some of the best ways to ensure you save more water courtesy of the leading San Diego plumbers in Plumbing Plus.

Toilets

Surprisingly, toilets are the biggest water consumers in most households according to a study conducted by WaterSense, a program supported by the EPA. Their study shows that toilets are responsible for as much as 30% of water consumption in an average home. The strict federal regulations meant to limit toilet water usage did not help much either. While the standard is 1.6 gallons per use, older toilets can use up to 6 gallons! If you choose a water-efficient toilet you could reduce water consumption in your home by as high as 60%. New toilets use around 1.28 gallons per flush and can help you save a lot of water and money in the long run.

Shower Heads

Showering accounts for around 17% of water use in a home. On average, showerheads spend around 2.5 gallons per minute. However, new models reduce water consumption by 0.5 gallons per minute. This might not seem much, but can save up to 2900 gallons a year.

Faucets

On average, a new faucet spends close to 2.2 gallons per minute. While this is a vast improvement compared to old faucets, this number can still be decreased with the help of aerators. These devices add air bubbles to the water stream. This displaces the water but does not affect the power of the stream. Even if you don’t want to replace your existing faucets, you can always add aerators to decrease water consumption. This switch could save around 700 gallons per year, per household.

Dishwashers

Fun fact: using a dishwasher saves water compared to washing the dishes by hand. These appliances make this chore both effortless and eco-friendly. However, to make the most out of them you should upgrade to a newer, green model. New models consume less water than the old ones, which are known to spend up to 10 gallons per wash. On the other hand, new dishwasher models use around 6 gallons and could save a lot of water in the long run.

Washing Machines

Old washing machines used to spend a lot of water during a single wash, more than 40 gallons to be precise. However, recent models significantly decreased water consumption, reducing it to 23 gallons. Water-efficient models further decrease consumption by 10 gallons per wash. Although these eco-friendly models take more to complete the cycle and cost a bit more, they are still well worth the price when you take the amount of water you save into account. If you want to get a professional opinion before you go ahead with your remodeling project, don’t hesitate to contact Plumbing Plus, experienced San Diego plumbers with a flawless reputation.