Faucet Buying Guide
A quick guide to strategic product selection
Water Sense Label
WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by Environmental Protection Agency, seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs, and practices.
WaterSense labeled bathroom sink faucets and accessories can reduce a sink's water flow by 30% or more without sacrificing performance. By installing WaterSense labeled bathroom sink faucets or faucet accessories, an average household can save more than 500 gallons of water each year.
► Because the Water Sense program currently has a program for only for bathroom (not kitchen) faucets, Eco-rate only features bathroom faucet products.
Gallons per Minute (GPM)
The efficiency of faucets is measured using gallons per minute (gpm). The lower the gpm, the more water-efficient the faucet. The average household's faucets account for 15-18% of indoor water use, so purchasing a faucet with a low GPM rating will save you water and money.
► Each faucet featured on Eco-rate includes GPM information (all are currently 1.5 GPM). Our Consumption Rating factors-in GPM; the higher the Consumption Rating, the lower the GPM and the more water-efficient the faucet.
Aerator
The aerator—the screw-on tip of the faucet—ultimately determines the maximum flow rate of a faucet. Typically, new kitchen faucets come equipped with aerators that restrict flow rates to 2.2 gpm, while new bathroom faucets have ones that restrict flow rates from 1.5 to 0.5 gpm.
Aerators are inexpensive to replace and they can be one of the most cost-effective water conservation measures. For maximum water efficiency, purchase aerators that have flow rates of no more than 1.0 gpm. Some aerators even come with shut-off valves that allow you to stop the flow of water without affecting the temperature. When replacing an aerator, bring the one you're replacing to the store with you to ensure a proper fit.
Touchless feature
Consider installing a touchless faucet commonly found in public restrooms today. Solar-powered touchless faucets are available for residential settings, are loved by children, and save a lot of water.
Local manufacturer
To reduce carbon emissions associated with product transportation and to support your local economy, we encourage you to buy your dryer from a local manufacturer.
► Each faucet on Eco-rate features the number of miles it must travel from its manufacturer to your door step.
How are faucets rated on Eco-rate?
Please click here to discover our faucet rating system.
Questions? Feedback?
Visit our Forum to ask questions and share your thoughts about water-efficient bathroom fixture products.
