Is the staid and conservative world of faucets ripe for a revolution? Is the American public ready to change their dishwashing and tooth brushing habits? Probably not, but there are a couple of products that have the potential to offer water savings.
Hands Free Faucet Controllers
An easy way to reduce faucet use is to shut off the water while you are washing dishes or brushing your teeth. The problem is, it is difficult to shut off the faucet while your hands are full! There are two different products that offer a solution here.
Foot Pedal Faucet Controller
A foot pedal faucet controller is simply an on/off switch for your faucet located on the floor. These devices have been around for a number of years and are available from several major manufacturers.
While these devices are most commonly used in large scale food service operations, there is no reason they could not be used successfully in the kitchen or bathroom.
However, it may be difficult to install a foot pedal controller without disrupting cabinet and sink configurations. If you want one of these devices you may need to wait until your remodel and then work it in with the overall plan.
Hands Free “Leaning” Faucet Controller
The temperature and flow rate of the faucet are still adjusted with the handle, but depressing the bar by leaning against it starts the flow of water. When you move away, a spring pushes the bar out and stops the water flow. The bar also has a locking feature that enables the user to keep the faucet flowing.
These devices are easy to install and only require that three holes be drilled in the counter below the sink. The leaning faucet controller is appropriate for kitchen or bathroom use and comes in a beige color as well.
Faucet Research
Manufacturers are constantly researching new faucet and sink designs, products, and technologies.
Currently there are several research projects that are evaluating the effectiveness of low-flow faucet aerators and electronic faucets, as well as customer satisfaction with these products.
In the 2016 study conducted in California State University, bathroom and kitchen aerators, as well as hands-free faucet fixtures such as electronic faucets were installed.
The study found that automatic faucets with a 0.5 gpm aerator resulted in a 32% water reduction, while those with a 0.35 gpm aerator resulted in a 54% water reduction compared to manual faucets.
While these savings are substantially less than those found for toilet and clothes washer retrofits, faucet retrofits represent a relatively inexpensive option for significant savings.
For information on faucet research you can visit the following web site: American Water Works Association
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