Your guide to low flow taps & toilets

If you’re looking for ways to reduce your water bill, low taps are are in ideal solution.

What are low flow taps?

Low flow taps are deceiving by name. You may think that because they’re called low flow taps, you won’t have high-pressure water coming out, but this is the contrary. Regular taps use more water and therefore produce more water pressure which results in increased water flow. However, low flow taps also produce a high power water flow, but it does this by mixing air into the water, which gives the appearance of a higher flow; although the pressure feels just about the same.

A normal tap lets out up to 18 L of water per minute whereas the low flow taps only use about 2 L of water per minute, which really saves you a tremendous amount on your water bill. When looking for low flow tap, you may run into the Acronym WELS. WELS is a water efficiency labeling scheme. WELS rates items according to efficiency and it allows you to see how much you’re saving and how efficient the product is before purchasing it. WELS has a six star rating system with the higher stars being more efficient and the lower stars being less efficient. Any water producing item that you purchase is rated by WELS.

Advantages of using low flow taps

Low flow taps help to stop water wastage and also provides you with a better source of water. In addition, they decrease your water cost and are more energy-efficient. This might be an ideal solution in a household that has high water usage or higher water bills. Besides simply saving you money on your water, there are two other benefits to using low flow taps. These benefits include saving money on electricity and reducing water wastage.

Low flow toilets

As one of the most essential fixtures in your home, the toilet is also the most consuming of water. By installing low flow toilets, you will lose significantly less water (and see a lower water bill), without noticing a change in the toilet’s effectiveness. In addition to improving water efficiency, low flow toilets will ensure your home is up to code.

What are low flow toilets?

Other than outdoor irrigation, the standard toilet is the largest water consumer in your home. By installing a low flow toilet, you can reduce water usage while still performing the same function of removing bodily waste. To effectively remove waste, gravity assists during the flushing process allowing low flow toilets to only use six litres of water per flush. These toilets are available in the most basic models and also top-of-the-line units.

The dual flush option

The most common type of low-flow toilet on the market is the dual flush model which has two buttons. The first button, known as the half flush, uses only three litres of water to eliminate liquid waste. The second button, referred to as the full flush, uses up to six litres of water to dispose of solid waste. Therefore, you are only using as much water as necessary for each visit.

Buying a low flow toilet

If you are in the market for a low flow toilet, there are a few considerations. First, ensure the toilet has been certified as water efficient. The amount of water used in the half and full flushes should be readily available. Second, ensure there is enough space in your bathroom to fit the new toilet. Third, there is a wide variety of designs including:

1. Colour
2. Height
3. Modifications (heated seats, bidet, etc.)
4. Shape (round or elongated)
5. Noisiness

Water saving tips

In addition to installing low flow taps, there are many other ways that you can reduce your energy costs and save wastage. Some of these tips include:

• Installing low flow tabs on all sinks, tubs and basins in your home
• Minimizing the temperature on your heater
• Closing taps when you’re not using them and frequently checking any pipes for leakages

Remember a small leak can add up, so it’s best to have that leak under control before it causes more problems. Low flow taps can be a tremendous help, but if they aren’t maintained or used properly they can contribute to water wastage.