The WaterSense Homes Specification 2.0 ensures that WaterSense-labeled homes are at least 30% more water efficient than a comparable home built with typical new construction techniques while also meeting homeowner expectations for performance. The specification provides flexibility in meeting WaterSense’s technical requirements without compromising on overall water efficiency or performance, improves collaboration with green certification programs, and allows for easier implementation and certification.
The specification is applicable to single-family homes and multifamily buildings. Under the WaterSense Homes Certification System, homes are verified and certified to meet EPA’s Mandatory Checklist and to achieve EPA’s water efficiency criteria, thus demonstrating that the home will use at least 30% less water than a typical home.
In the WaterSense® Labeled Homes 2.0 Program, Home Certification Organizations (HCOs) oversee the certification of homes for the EPA. How the 30% efficiency requirements are measured varies based on the HCO and their WaterSense Approved Certification Method (WACM). A WACM is essentially a tool or way of measuring water use that’s been approved by EPA for use in the WaterSense-Labeled Homes Program. When paired with a mandatory checklist, the requirements of the WACM ensure that a WaterSense-labeled home is both water efficient and high performing.
Some of the features that will influence the results of a WACM are:
- efficiency of plumbing products
- efficiency of water-using appliances
- water efficiency of hot water delivery system
- house design and layout
- landscape size, design, plant choices, and expected irrigation requirements
- irrigation design and technology.
Mandatory Checklist
The 2.0 Mandatory Checklist requires WaterSense-labeled plumbing produces (toilets, bathroom sink faucets, and showerheads), as well as a simple leak detection and prevention protocol. All homebuilders wishing to earn the WaterSense® 2.0 label for a home must meet the requirements on the mandatory checklist as described in this section in addition to the 30% efficiency requirement.
Water conservation has become increasingly important in many parts of the country, and some local jurisdictions may have water-conservation requirements in place for new home construction. If a jurisdiction has water conservation requirements, those measures should be considered in addition to the WaterSense criteria. Some state agencies and local water utilities may provide tax incentives or rebates for WaterSense-labeled fixtures and fittings that will help offset costs.
Mandatory checklist items:
30% Efficiency Requirement
In achieving the 30% efficiency requirement, builders will have to consider water efficiency strategies both indoors and outdoors. Builders will have flexibility in achieving this requirement.
- WaterSense approved HCOs and Verifiers
- WaterSense Labeled Homes Program Fact Sheet: Ensuring Homes Deliver on Efficiency
Home Certification Organizations (HCOs)
To confirm that homes meet an approved HCO certification method, the WaterSense Homes Certification System requires a home to be inspected by a verifier and certified by the HCO. EPA evaluates each Home Certification Organization's (HCO) certification methods according to a technical evaluation process.
The following HCOs currently participate in the program:
Best Practices
Best practices are advisories. These topics describe recommendations for savings that may contribute to the 30% overall savings but are not mandatory requirements.