By managing water flow, a flow restrictor prevents built-up pressure from damaging pipes, appliances, and fixtures. Not only do flow regulators save you money by decreasing damage to appliances, but they also save water in lines with high pressure.
For water conservation purposes, most plumbing codes require faucets and showering devices to not exceed a certain maximum flow rate. Removing the flow restrictors could cause these devices to no longer meet these codes.
Two big reasons: To help lower utility bills -- and to conserve water. According to the EPA, the average family could save 2,700 gallons per year by installing WaterSense labeled showerheads.
A standard 2.5 GPM shower head uses 2.5 gallons of water each minute. That's 25 gallons for a 10-minute shower. VS. A low-flow 1.8 GPM shower head uses 1.8 gallons of water each minute.
Flow restrictors only allow a set amount of water to flow to the shower head, no matter how much water is flowing through your pipes. If you have low water pressure in your home or building, this can mean even lower pressure in your shower.
In low-pressure supply lines, flow restrictors provide comfort of use, and they save energy in high-pressure supply lines. By managing water flow, a flow restrictor prevents built-up pressure from damaging pipes, appliances, and fixtures.
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.
National standard of maximum 2.5 gpm flow rate for shower heads was established through the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 in order to save water. If the state, county or city of residency does not specify a maximum flow rates for shower heads, a 2.5 gpm shower head is the maximum one can get.
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.
The flow control valves are used for controlling and adjusting the fluid or gas flow through the system. The pressure control valve is used to regulate the pressure of a fluid passing through the pipe.
Removing a flow restrictor is illegal according to the US Energy Policy Act of 1992, which limits the maximum shower water flow rate to 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM).
Flow restrictors belong on all bathroom and kitchen faucets. Each one can save you up to 5,000 gallons, or about $10 every year.
The average household needs 100 to 120 gallons per person per day, and a flow rate of about 6 to 12 gallons per minute.
Higher GPM will help you get the job done faster. For most homeowners, identifying your ideal PSI (whether low or high) is a good start. Once you have the PSI you need, then look for higher GPM numbers to get better efficiency.
Did you know that standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm)? Water-saving showerheads that earn the WaterSense label must demonstrate that they use no more than 2.0 gpm.
The water flow rate is the measurement of how fast treated water will come out of your faucets throughout your home. It's measured in gallons per minute (GPM). The average household has a water flow rate of 6 to 12 GPM. Therefore, most households use roughly 100 to 120 gallons of water each day.
If you've just installed a brand-new showerhead and find that the pressure is suddenly lower, it's probably because you've purchased a water-saving showerhead. Check the labels around the rim, or perform the showerhead GPM test as described below.
If you're experiencing low shower pressure, take these initial steps to find out what could be causing the problem: First, clean your showerhead thoroughly. Ensure the shower hose isn't kinked or damaged, then check the filter. This might require taking your shower apart, so consider asking a professional to help.
Find the spigot closest to your source of water. Make sure all the taps and other water uses are turned off in your house. Now turn on the spigot and see how long it takes to fill the bucket. Dividing the number 60 by the time to fill the bucket will give you the gallons per minute number.