Saving Water With Faucet Aerators and Flow Reducers
Faucet aerators are the little disc-shaped fittings that screw onto the end of virtually all modern faucets.
They mix the outgoing water with air to create a steady, even stream, increasing its pressure while deceptively reducing the faucet's flow rate.
If you take the aerator off, the water comes out in a clumsy, usually off-center fashion that tends to cause a lot of splashing in the sink basin.
Flow reducers perform a similar function to aerators but don't necessarily introduce air into the stream.
Some flow reducers deliver a solid stream of water without the higher pressure that comes with aeration.
Because it's the last thing the water passes through on its way out, aerators and flow reducers determine a faucet's flow rate.
On kitchen faucets, a higher flow rate is desirable to speed filling of pots and sinks for washing dishes.
But on bathroom sink faucets, a high flow rate typically results in unnecessary water waste.
This is because people tend to leave faucets running while brushing their teeth or shaving - a good habit to break, but not everyone in the house is likely to be very disciplined about it.
For this reason, installing a low-flow aerator or flow reducer on all bathroom sink faucets can save significant amounts of water each year.
Green building experts generally recommend a maximum flow rate of 1.
5 gpm on all lavatory faucets.
With a good aerator or flow reducer, you'll find that this is plenty of water for everyday uses at the sink.
You can also find aerators and reducers with a 1.
0 gpm flow rate for even greater saving.
Replacing an old aerator now, it won't take more than a few minutes.
To replace a faucet aerator, unscrew the old aerator by hand or using channel-type pliers if necessary.
Aerators typically screw into the faucet clockwise, but when you're standing above the fixture your hand motion is actually counterclockwise.
Clean the faucet threads then screw the new aerator or flow reducer into place and hand-tighten.
Run the water to check for leaks.
If necessary, carefully tighten the aerator using pliers.
They mix the outgoing water with air to create a steady, even stream, increasing its pressure while deceptively reducing the faucet's flow rate.
If you take the aerator off, the water comes out in a clumsy, usually off-center fashion that tends to cause a lot of splashing in the sink basin.
Flow reducers perform a similar function to aerators but don't necessarily introduce air into the stream.
Some flow reducers deliver a solid stream of water without the higher pressure that comes with aeration.
Because it's the last thing the water passes through on its way out, aerators and flow reducers determine a faucet's flow rate.
On kitchen faucets, a higher flow rate is desirable to speed filling of pots and sinks for washing dishes.
But on bathroom sink faucets, a high flow rate typically results in unnecessary water waste.
This is because people tend to leave faucets running while brushing their teeth or shaving - a good habit to break, but not everyone in the house is likely to be very disciplined about it.
For this reason, installing a low-flow aerator or flow reducer on all bathroom sink faucets can save significant amounts of water each year.
Green building experts generally recommend a maximum flow rate of 1.
5 gpm on all lavatory faucets.
With a good aerator or flow reducer, you'll find that this is plenty of water for everyday uses at the sink.
You can also find aerators and reducers with a 1.
0 gpm flow rate for even greater saving.
Replacing an old aerator now, it won't take more than a few minutes.
To replace a faucet aerator, unscrew the old aerator by hand or using channel-type pliers if necessary.
Aerators typically screw into the faucet clockwise, but when you're standing above the fixture your hand motion is actually counterclockwise.
Clean the faucet threads then screw the new aerator or flow reducer into place and hand-tighten.
Run the water to check for leaks.
If necessary, carefully tighten the aerator using pliers.
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