Swapping in a WaterSense showerhead and faucet aerator

Showers use nearly 17 percent of the water inside the average home, about 40 gallons a day for a family. A standard showerhead runs at 2.5 gallons a minute. One with the WaterSense label runs at 2.0 or less, and it's independently tested to make sure the shower still feels as strong. A WaterSense bathroom faucet or aerator runs at 1.5 gallons a minute or less, at least 30 percent below the standard 2.2.

What you need

• A WaterSense showerhead, and a WaterSense aerator for each bathroom sink
• An adjustable wrench and a soft cloth to protect the finish
• Thread seal tape
• A new washer or O-ring for the showerhead, if the old one is worn

Steps

1. 1

   Check the label

   Look for the WaterSense label on the package. The faucet label covers bathroom sinks and bar sinks only. There's no WaterSense kitchen faucet.

   2 min

2. 2

   Take off the old showerhead

   Unscrew it from the shower arm by hand. If it's stuck, wrap it in the cloth and use the wrench.

   5 min

3. 3

   Check the washer

   Check the washer or O-ring in the connection, and replace it if it's cracked or flat.

   2 min

4. 4

   Wrap and fit the new one

   Wrap the shower arm's threads with a few turns of thread seal tape, then screw the new showerhead on by hand until it's snug.

   5 min

5. 5

   Swap the aerator

   Unscrew the old aerator from the tip of the bathroom faucet and screw the new one on in its place. An aerator costs a few dollars.

   5 min

6. 6

   Run the water

   Turn on the shower and the faucet. If water drips from a joint, give it another quarter turn and run it again.

   1 min

What it saves

WaterSense showerheads save the average family about 2,700 gallons a year. Since much of that is hot water, they also save more than 330 kilowatt hours of water heating a year. WaterSense faucets and aerators save the average family another 700 gallons a year. Many water utilities offer rebates or vouchers on WaterSense fixtures, so check with yours.

A WaterSense showerhead is tested for spray force and coverage, and to deliver a minimum flow across the range of water pressures found in homes.