Other Water-Efficient Products

Water efficiency doesn’t stop at the WaterSense label! EPA encourages consumers to consider efficiency when shopping for any water-using product, even if it doesn’t fall within a product category that WaterSense labels. Read below to learn how you can maximize water savings when purchasing other products and appliances in your home.

On this page:

• Water Softeners
• Leak Detection Systems
• Dishwashers
• Clothes Washers
• Microirrigation
• Swimming Pools and Pool Covers

Water Softeners

If you live in an area with hard water, you might be interested in purchasing a water softener for your home. While cation exchange water softeners are effective at removing the minerals that cause hard water, they can consume a significant amount of water and salt during the treatment process. Be sure to consider both water efficiency and salt efficiency when selecting a water softener. Look for models that are NSF/ANSI 44 certified and:

• Consume 5.0 gallons (18.9 liters) of water or less per 1,000 grains of hardness removed.
• Have a salt efficiency greater than 3,350 grains of total hardness exchange per pound of salt.

WaterSense developed a guide with water-efficient water softener selection and maintenance tips. Visit the Water Softeners page for more information.

Leak Detection Systems

Household leaks can cause significant water waste, resulting in high utility bills and potential damage to your home. Consider installing a leak detection system or flow monitoring device to help identify leaks early. These devices can rely on moisture detection, which alerts homeowners to unexpected dampness, or flow monitoring, which measures how much water is flowing and detects water consumption patterns that may be indicative of a leak or other irregularity. 

WaterSense has developed a user guide to help consumers understand the benefits of installing leak detection and flow monitoring devices, the types of technologies on the market, and tips for selecting a device and performing maintenance to reduce water waste at home. Visit the Leak Detection and Flow Monitoring Devices page for more information.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers are more energy- and water-efficient than traditional handwashing, but did you know you can ensure even more savings by selecting an ENERGY STAR® certified dishwasher? ENERGY STAR includes criteria for water efficiency, requiring models to use 3.2 gallons of water or less per cycle (the federal standard is 5.0 gallons per cycle). 

For more information, visit ENERGY STAR’s Dishwashers web page.

Clothes Washers

If you’re buying a new clothes washer for your home, look for an ENERGY STAR certified model. Similar to dishwashers, ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers are required to meet both energy and water efficiency criteria. These models use no more than 14 gallons of water per load, compared to the 20 gallons used by a standard machine. Water and energy savings lead to lower utility bills. ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers are also designed to lift and tumble clothes without using rough agitators, lengthening the life of your clothes. 

For more information, visit ENERGY STAR’s Clothes Washers web page.

Microirrigation

WaterSense has several products to help you water outdoor landscapes more wisely. While not labeled by WaterSense, microirrigation systems can use 20 to 50 percent less water than conventional sprinkler systems and offer another opportunity to reduce water use in your yard. 

WaterSense has developed guides for irrigation professionals and homeowners to help them understand how to incorporate these systems into their irrigation needs. For more information, visit the Microirrigation web page. 

Swimming Pools

Pools can be fun, but they can also waste water if not managed properly.  Pool covers can minimize evaporation losses, but there are other actions you can take to reduce water loss from leaks, cleaning, and splashing. WaterSense has developed a guide to provide an overview of products and practices that can help pools be more water efficient.

For more information, visit the Pool Water Efficiency web page.