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Bathroom Faucets

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    Look for this EPA WaterSense logo to find fixtures that meet WaterSense criteria.
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    Install WaterSense® labeled bathroom sink faucets and accessories, which can reduce a sink's water use by 30 percent without sacrificing performance. All bathroom sink faucet manufacturers are required by law to mark their products with the maximum flow rate. For more information on reducing bathroom faucet water use, see Leaks in Water-Using Fixtures

    WaterSense labeled homes are required to have WaterSense labeled bathroom sink faucets or faucet accessories (e.g., aerators). To earn the WaterSense label, a faucet must have a flow rate that does not exceed 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) at a pressure of 60 psi at the inlet when water is flowing. Additionally, the flow rate shall be no less than 0.8 gpm at a pressure of 20 psi at the inlet when water is flowing.

    See the Compliance Tab for related codes and standards requirements, and criteria to meet national programs such as DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home programENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction, and WaterSense.

    Description
    Description
    Infographic: Replacing faucets and aerators with WaterSense models can save 700 gallons per year - equal to 40 showers worth of water.
    Figure 1. Replacing faucets and aerators with WaterSense models can save 700 gallons per year - equal to 40 showers worth of water (Source: Courtesy of U.S. EPA WaterSense). 

     

    For a home to earn the WaterSense® label, all bathroom sink faucets or faucet accessories must be WaterSense labeled. A lavatory faucet accessory is a device that can be added to or removed from a bathroom sink faucet (typically, it screws onto the tip of the faucet spout). Faucet accessories frequently serve as the flow control mechanism that determines if a faucet meets the flow rate requirements of the WaterSense specification. Faucet accessories control flow rate either through flow restriction (narrowing the opening through which the water is discharged from the faucet) or flow regulation (adapting the width of the opening through which the water is discharged based on fluctuations in water pressure to maintain a constant flow rate). Faucet accessories include:

    • Aerators: Add air into the water stream to increase the sensation of flow (this is the most common type of faucet accessory).
    • Laminar flow devices: Force the water through small openings to produce dozens of parallel water streams, creating a more uniform flow and potentially reducing splash.
    • Other types of flow restrictors: Control flow through means other than aerating the water stream or creating laminar flow.
    • Other types of flow regulators: Control flow through means other than aerating the water stream or creating laminar flow, but also compensate for changes in water pressure.

    To earn the WaterSense label, a bathroom sink faucet or faucet accessory must have a maximum flow rate of 1.5 gpm when tested at 60 psi and a minimum flow rate of 0.8 gpm when tested at 20 psi. WaterSense included the minimum flow rate requirement to ensure a high level of performance in locations with very low water pressure.

    Testing the flow rate of a bathroom sink faucet.
    Figure 2. Testing the flow rate of a bathroom sink faucet (Source: Courtesy of PNNL). 

     

    Third party verifiers will obtain a list of the make and model numbers for all bathroom sink faucets and faucet accessories installed in the home and verify that they have earned the WaterSense® label. The verifier will also check the maximum flow rate of all bathroom and kitchen faucets to ensure that the aerators have not been tampered with or removed. To conduct the test, the verifier will place a small bucket or a flow-measuring bag under the faucet spout, and turn on the water completely while starting a stopwatch (Figure 2). After 10 seconds, the verifier will turn off the water and check the volume of water collected. The volume of water should be 0.25 gallons or less for bathroom sink faucets.

    All faucets and attachable accessories are required by the ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 performance standard to be marked with their maximum flow rate. Checking the faucet marking will indicate if a bathroom sink faucet meets the WaterSense maximum flow rate, but not the minimum flow rate. To determine if the product meets all aspects of the WaterSense specification, look for the WaterSense label on the product packaging and documentation. The specification requires these products to bear the WaterSense label. 

    The WaterSense website also provides a listing of labeled faucets and accessories here

    Success
    Ensuring Success

    Bathroom and kitchen faucets account for approximately 15.7 percent of indoor residential water use in the United States, which equates to about 1.1 trillion gallons of water used annually. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 originally set the maximum flow rate for both lavatory and kitchen faucets at 2.5 gpm at 80 psi static pressure. In 1994, ASME A112.18.1M-1994–Plumbing Supply Fittings set the maximum flow rate for lavatory (bathroom) faucets at 2.2 gpm at 60 psi. In response to industry requests for conformity with a single standard, in 1998, the U.S. Energy Department adopted the 2.2 gpm at 60 psi maximum flow rate standard for all faucets (both kitchen and bathroom). Other than this maximum flow rate standard, there currently are no universally accepted performance tests or specifications (i.e., rinsing or wetting performance standards) for faucets.

    Residential water use graph.
    Figure 1. Residential water use (Source: Courtesy of U.S. EPA WaterSense).

     

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    Climate

    No climate specific information applies.

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    Right and Wrong Images
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    Right - EPA WaterSense-certified faucets help reduce water use.
    Right - EPA WaterSense-certified faucets help reduce water use.
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    Right – EPA WaterSense rated toilets reduce water usage.
    Right – EPA WaterSense rated toilets reduce water usage.
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    Right – EPA WaterSense-rated faucets reduce water usage compared to standard bathroom faucets.
    Right – EPA WaterSense-rated faucets reduce water usage compared to standard bathroom faucets.
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    Right – EPA WaterSense-rated showerheads, faucets, and toilets contribute to both water and energy savings.
    Right – EPA WaterSense-rated showerheads, faucets, and toilets contribute to both water and energy savings.
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    Compliance

    Compliance

    The Compliance tab contains both program and code information. Code language is excerpted and summarized below. For exact code language, refer to the applicable code, which may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

     

    DOE Zero Energy Ready Home

    Version 1, Rev. 07, Rev. 08, and Rev. 09

    Exhibit 1 Mandatory Requirements.
    Exhibit 1, Item 1) (Item 2) in Rev. 09) Certified under the ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Program or the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Program.
    Exhibit 1, Item 4) (Item 5) in Rev. 09) Hot water delivery systems (distributed and central) shall meet efficient design requirements OR Water heaters and fixtures shall meet efficiency criteria.

    Version 2, Single Family

    Exhibit 1 Mandatory Requirements.
    Exhibit 1, Item 2) Certified under ENERGY STAR Single Family New Homes Version 3.2.  
    Exhibit 1, Item 5) Hot water delivery systems meet efficient design requirements OR Water heaters and fixtures meet efficiency criteria.

    Version 2, Multifamily

    Exhibit 1 Mandatory Requirements.
    Exhibit 1, Item 2) Building is certified under ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Program Version 1.2.  
    Exhibit 1, Item 5) WaterSense labeled fixtures for dwelling unit showerheads, bath faucets, and aerators.

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense® Home Specification

    The EPA WaterSense Home Specification applies to single-family and multifamily homes (both new and existing) and states that:

    Bathroom Sink Faucets – All bathroom sink faucets shall be WaterSense-labeled bathroom sink faucets or faucet accessories (e.g., aerators). 

    See the EPA WaterSense product search website for a list of labeled faucets and accessories.

    For more information. see the U.S. Department of Energy's Standard Work Specifications regarding Water Use Reduction.

    ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction, Version 1/1.1/1.2 (Rev. 04)

    National Rater Field Checklist

    13. Appliance and Plumbing Fixtures

    13.1 Prescriptive Path: Installed appliances are ENERGY STAR certified. Installed bathroom faucets, bathroom aerators, and showerheads are WaterSense labeled. 90

    Please see the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction National Rater Field Checklist for applicable footnotes. 

    Exhibit 1: ENERGY STAR Multifamily Reference Design 12 (Applies to common spaces under the ERI Path and all spaces under the Prescriptive Path)

    Lighting, Appliances & Fixtures

    WaterSense bathroom faucets, bathroom aerators, and showerheads. 15

    Please see the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction National Program Requirements for applicable footnotes and exemptions to these requirements. 

    Please see the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Implementation Timeline for the program version and revision currently applicable in your state. 

    Retrofit
    Existing Homes

    Guidance for the measures described in this guide is applicable to both new and existing homes.

    For more information, see the U.S. Department of Energy’s Standard Work Specifications regarding Water Use Reduction.

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    More Info.

    Access to some references may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

    References and Resources*
    Author(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Organization(s)
    EPA
    Publication Date
    Description
    Brochure providing information for homeowners, builders, verifiers, and facilities including an overview of program criteria, the certification process, and EPA-approved home certification organizations for water-efficient homes under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) WaterSense...
    Author(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Organization(s)
    EPA
    Publication Date
    Description
    Document of requirements including checklist that establishes the criteria for water-efficient homes under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) WaterSense program, Version 2.0.
    Author(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Organization(s)
    EPA
    Publication Date
    Description
    Website providing a description of the WaterSense labeled homes program and a checklist of mandatory requirements for homes to be labeled under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) WaterSense program, Version 2.0.
    Author(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Organization(s)
    EPA
    Publication Date
    Description
    Webpage from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describing the EPA WaterSense program including the Mandatory Checklist for WaterSense Labeled Homes, information on how to get certified, and information on finding or becoming a WaterSense Home Certifying Organization.
    Author(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Organization(s)
    EPA
    Publication Date
    Description
    Resource that provides a directory of individuals that have successfully completed all requirements of at least one WaterSense Approved Certification Method (WACM) through a Home Certification Organization (HCO).
    Author(s)
    EPA
    Organization(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Publication Date
    Description
    Resource that provides a directory of individuals that have sucessfully completed all requirements of at least one WaterSense labeled professional certification program.
    Author(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Organization(s)
    EPA
    Publication Date
    Description
    Website providing lists of WaterSense-qualified products for home plumbing and irrigation equipment that meet the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program.
    Author(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
    WaterSense
    Organization(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Publication Date
    Description
    This fact sheet outlines the requirements for WaterSense® labeled bathroom sink faucets, detailing their water-efficient features, compliance with flow rate standards, how they are tested, how they are built, and how they are verified to ensure their quality and compliance with conservation and...
    Author(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
    WaterSense
    Organization(s)
    EPA
    Publication Date
    Description
    Specification of criteria for lavatory faucets and faucet accessories under the U.S. EPA WaterSense Program.
    *For non-dated media, such as websites, the date listed is the date accessed.
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    Low Flow Fixtures =

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    Technical Description

    Water-conserving fixtures reduce water usage and the amount of energy needed to heat that water. Faucets and showerheads are designed to save water but provide the same experience as typical fixtures. The WaterSense label (from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) takes the guesswork out of choosing the right fixture.


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