If you live along the Front Range or up in the high country, you know the deal: water is liquid gold. Whether you are looking at the Flatirons in Boulder or navigating the roundabouts in Fort Collins, being water-conscious is a lifestyle. Between the semi-arid climate and those inevitable drought cycles, Colorado homeowners have to be smarter than the average bear when it comes to H2O.
The good news? You do not have to stop showering or start living like a pioneer to make a difference. Water-saving plumbing in Colorado has come a long way to save you thousands of gallons a year without sacrificing your morning routine.
Below are ten water-saving plumbing upgrades that are perfect for your Colorado home.
1. High-Efficiency Low-Flow Toilets
What Is It?
A high-efficiency toilet (HET) is a modern fixture designed to clear the bowl using significantly less water than older models. While the porcelain dinosaurs from the early 90s use up to 7 gallons per flush, a WaterSense-certified HET uses just 1.28 gallons or less. They rely on precision-engineered bowl jets and larger trapways to get the job done with one click of the handle.
How Does It Reduce My Costs?
Toilets are usually the single largest source of indoor water use. By switching to an eco plumbing Loveland model, you reduce toilet water usage by 20% to 60%. That’s about 13,000 gallons of water saved every year. For a homeowner in Denver or Boulder, that’s potentially over $100 annually.
Buying Tips
- Look for the WaterSense label to ensure maximum efficiency.
- Research local rebates in cities like Greeley and Fort Collins.
- Choose a skirted design for much easier base cleaning.
- Check the MaP score to ensure strong flushing power.
2. Low-Flow Showerheads
What Is It?
Low-flow fixtures like showerheads restrict the flow of water to 2.0 gallons per minute (gpm) or less, compared to the standard 2.5 gpm. Modern versions use either laminar flow (individual streams) or aeration (mixing air with water) to maintain a strong, satisfying spray even with less volume.
How Does It Reduce My Costs?
Showering accounts for about 17% of indoor water use. Dropping your flow rate by just half a gallon per minute can save the average family 2,900 gallons a year. You’re also slashing your energy bill, as your water heater doesn’t have to work nearly as hard.
Buying Tips
- Choose an aerating model for a high-pressure misty feel.
- Pick laminar flow heads for better overall temperature control.
- Select a showerhead with a convenient water-saving pause button.
3. Faucet Aerators
What Is It?
Think of an aerator as a tiny, inexpensive screen that screws onto the tip of your sink faucet. It breaks the water stream into tiny droplets and mixes them with air. It maintains the wetting ability of the water while reducing the volume coming out of the tap.
How Does It Reduce My Costs?
Standard faucets flow at 2.2 gpm, but a high-efficiency aerator can drop that to 1.5 or even 0.5 gpm in bathrooms. It reduces your water usage by 30% or more. Over the lifetime of a single faucet, this $5 part can save an average family about $250.
Buying Tips
- Confirm your faucet thread size before purchasing new aerators.
- Use 1.5 gpm aerators to maintain kitchen sink functionality.
- Install 0.5 gpm aerators for bathroom sinks and vanities.
4. Smart Leak Detectors
What Is It?
A smart leak detector is a high-tech sensor that monitors your plumbing system for unusual activity. Some are small pucks you place under sinks, while whole-home versions are installed on your main water line to track flow patterns, pressure, and temperature. For anyone living in Denver or Longmont, these devices catch hidden drips.
How Does It Reduce My Costs?
One tiny leak can waste 10,000 gallons a year. Water damage is the leading cause of home insurance claims in Colorado. These devices alert you to micro-leaks before they turn into a $15,000 mold and floor-replacement nightmare. Many insurance companies even offer a discount on your premium just for having one installed.
Buying Tips
- Purchase a model with an automatic main shut-off valve.
- Choose detectors that send real-time alerts to your smartphone.
- Look for sensors with a long-lasting five-year battery life.
5. Hot Water Recirculation Pumps
What Is It?
Do you wait forever for the shower to get hot? That’s because the water in your pipes has cooled down, and you have to push all that dead cold water out before the hot stuff arrives. A recirculation pump keeps hot water moving through your pipes, so it is ready the second you turn the knob. It creates a loop that keeps the hot water always ready to go.
How Does It Reduce My Costs?
The average home wastes about 3 to 10 gallons of water every time someone waits for the shower to heat up. In a busy household, that can add up to thousands of gallons a year. By eliminating the wait, you stop pouring perfectly good water down the drain.
Buying Tips
- Select a pump with an integrated programmable 24-hour timer.
- Verify if your plumbing requires a dedicated return line.
- Buy a quiet model for noise-free hot water delivery.
6. Tankless Water Heaters
What Is It?
Unlike traditional tanks that keep 50 gallons of water hot 24/7, tankless water heaters only heat water as it flows through the unit. It is on-demand heating that takes up a fraction of the space.
How Does It Reduce My Costs?
Since there’s no standby heat loss, tankless units are about 24% to 34% more energy-efficient than traditional tanks. They also last up to 20 years, so you won’t be paying for a replacement nearly as often.
Buying Tips
- Size the unit based on your household’s peak demand.
- Opt for gas-powered models to handle cold Colorado winters.
- Choose a condensing model for the highest energy savings.
7. Dual-Flush Converters
What Is It?
If your toilet has one flush setting, you can install a dual-flush converter kit. It replaces the standard flapper and handle with a system that offers two options: a small flush for liquids and a full flush for solids.
How Does It Reduce My Costs?
By using the half-flush option 70% of the time, you can cut your toilet’s water consumption by nearly half without the cost of a full bathroom remodel.
Buying Tips
- Check kit compatibility with your specific toilet brand name.
- Look for an adjustable half-flush setting for extra savings.
- Choose a push-button style for a modern bathroom look.
8. Smart Irrigation Controllers
What Is It?
Colorado lawns eat up about 55% of a home’s total water usage. A smart irrigation connects to local weather stations in places like Longmont or Fort Collins and adjusts your sprinklers based on rainfall and evaporation rates.
How Does It Reduce My Costs?
A smart controller can save the average home nearly 7,600 gallons of water annually by only watering when necessary. It prevents overwatering, which keeps your grass healthier and reduces your monthly water bill.
Buying Tips
- Look for WaterSense certification to guarantee real performance levels.
- Ensure the controller app is easy for you to use.
- Choose a model with a cycle and soak feature.
9. High-Efficiency Dishwashers
What Is It?
Modern dishwashers use sophisticated soil sensors to determine how dirty the dishes are, adjusting the water spray and duration accordingly. They’re more effective than the machines of decades past, using less water and lower temperatures to achieve a cleaner result.
How Does It Reduce My Costs?
Washing dishes by hand can use up to 27 gallons of water per load. A new Energy Star-certified dishwasher uses as little as 3 gallons. Over the life of the appliance, you can save more than 8,000 gallons of water.
Buying Tips
- Always look for the Energy Star and WaterSense labels.
- Pick a model with a low dBA noise rating.
- Select a dishwasher with a stainless steel interior tub.
10. Pressure Reducing Valves (PRV)
What Is It?
A PRV is a bell-shaped brass fitting installed where your main water line enters the house. It takes the high-pressure water from the city and dials it down to a safe, consistent level for your home’s internal plumbing.
How Does It Reduce My Costs?
High water pressure (over 80 psi) stresses your pipes, causes water hammer, and forces more water through your faucets than you need. By keeping pressure at a steady 50-60 psi, you prevent leaks and protect your appliances from wear.
Buying Tips
- Buy a pressure gauge to test your current levels.
- Choose an adjustable valve for personalized water pressure settings.
- Look for a union connection for easier future maintenance.
Your Partner in Colorado Water Savings
Ready for water-saving plumbing Colorado solutions? Contact Mountain Valley Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling today to schedule your efficiency upgrade! We are here to ensure your plumbing system is ready for whatever the Colorado climate throws at it next.
Fill out our online form or call Mountain Valley Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling to schedule plumbing services in Longmont.
