How much water per minute does a faucet use? The average flow rate for faucets is between 1.0 gpm and 2.2 gpm. In the US, the maximum flow rate for kitchen and bathroom faucets is 2.2 gpm at 60 psi. In more environmentally regulated areas, the maximum flow rates are further restricted.
According to federal regulations, all kitchen and bathroom faucets should have a maximum flow rate of 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm) at 60 psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure; in California and Georgia, maximum flow rates are further restricted to 2.0 gpm (California will eventually be restricted to 1.8 gpm).
Federal regulations in the United States cap the maximum flow rate for shower heads at 2.5 GPM, but many eco-conscious consumers opt for lower-flow models, such as 1.8 GPM or 1.5 GPM.
Best Practice Level
Kitchen taps Flow rates of between 4 to 6 litres/minute with all mixers having a clear indication of hot and cold with hot tap or lever position to the left. Flow rates of less than 4 litres/minute are not recommended for kitchen taps.
What is the average GPM from a house's outside hose faucet and is that determined by the pump in the house or by the pressure from the municipality? A hose bib, opened fully, will allow 8–10 gpm of flow with a house water pressure of 50–60 psi (typical for municipal water systems and on the high end of domestic wells).
The average flow rate for faucets is between 1.0 gpm and 2.2 gpm. In the US, the maximum flow rate for kitchen and bathroom faucets is 2.2 gpm at 60 psi. In more environmentally regulated areas, the maximum flow rates are further restricted.
Generally speaking, the average GPM (gallons per minute) you can expect from an outside non-freeze wall faucet with a ¾” inlet connection and a ¾” garden hose bibb outlet (in the fully opened position), is between 5-9 GPM with a system water pressure of 50-60 PSI.
A toilet will normally use about 2-3 gallons per minute (gpm), a shower from 1.5 to 3.0 gpm, a bathroom or kitchen faucet from 2-3 gpm, a dishwasher from 2-4 gpm, and a washing machine from 3-5 gpm.
Standard Flow Rate: Traditional kitchen faucets often have a standard flow rate of around 2.2 gallons per minute (GPM). This means that, when fully opened, they deliver 2.2 gallons of water per minute.
1.5 Gpm (5.7 L/Min) Max.
When it comes to Shower Heads, you'll typically find 2.5 GPM, 2.0 GPM, 1.8 GPM and 1.5 GPM. If you're looking for the most pressure, go for the 2.5 GPM Flow Rate, unless you are restricted because you reside in California, Colorado or New York. Again, this has been the Maximum Flow Rate since 1992.
Please keep in mind that all new faucets since 1994 are restricted to conserve water per EPA code mandates. Older faucets had no restrictions. Beyond intentional flow restriction, new installations can sometimes have reduced flow if the lines are not flushed prior to installation of aerators or shower heads.
Newer kitchen faucets use about 1.5-2 gallons per minutes, whereas older faucets use more.
Standard shower heads use 2.5 gpm, but to earn the WaterSense label, a product must use no more than 2 gpm and still meet strict performance requirements. The EPA estimates that the average family could save 2,900 gallons of water per year by installing a WaterSense-labeled shower head.
Water flow rate and water pressure can be related, but they are not the same thing. The water flow rate is the amount of water that passes through your shower in a set time frame. We use gallons per minute, or GPM as a standard measurement. Water pressure measures the force used to push your water through the pipes.
Alternatively, if you just bought a new faucet, you'll often see the flow rate written on the surface with the acronym “GPM” (meaning “gallons per minute”). Kitchen faucets have varying flow rates; older versions have a maximum rate of 2.2 GPM, and ultramodern designs have an average rate of 1.5 GPM.
Shower gallons per minute
The average American shower uses 17.2 gallons (65.1 liters) and lasts for 8.2 minutes at average flow rate of 2.1 gallons per minute (gpm) (7.9 lpm).
A Normal flow rate averages between 11-20ml/s. As you age over 50 your flow rate deteriorates. The flow rate should have a nice bell-curve. Usually, you would empty your bladder in less than 60 seconds.
Federal standards mandate that all lavatory (bathroom/restroom) and kitchen faucets and faucet aerators manufactured and sold in the United States after January 1, 1994, must use no more than 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm).
Compare that with standard flow rates across the U.S. For the standard home, a typical GPM looks something like this: Kitchen faucet: 2-3 GPM. Shower: 1.5-3 GPM. Dishwasher: 2-4 GPM.
If you find a measure that is between 10 and 15 litres per minute, that's not bad but can be improved, while a flow above 15 litres per minute is good. Armed with this information on your water pressure, you can check the specifications of the tap you intend to buy and make sure it is a good match.
Hose length
The length of your hose can seriously affect the garden hose flow rate, as the longer the hose, the less water pressure there will be. This is because as water travels down the hose, it can lose pressure and offer far less flow rate, commonly referred to as friction loss.
The typical residential water flow rate for small households is between 6-12 gallons per minute, so unless you plan to add extra kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms to your home in the future, your home will never need to exceed that final GPM, assuming your flow rate is already normal.