Water Efficient Appliances 

Using water-efficient models of various household appliances can save you money on both the water you use and the energy used to heat it.

Water-efficient equipment, especially an Ultra Low Flush toilet, often pays for itself in savings within 1 to 2 years.

Older equipment and fixtures generally do not match the efficiency available in today's newer water-efficiency versions. Also make sure to check for the EnerGuide Energy Star rated models which are more energy efficient. If you are not sure how much water your appliance or fixture uses, you can contact your local retailer or conduct your own simple home water audit.

A Department of Energy study shows the percentage savings associated with efficient appliances:

• 68% energy savings with efficient clothes washers and 38% water savings compared to older, standard models.
• Dishwashers use 39% percent less energy to heat the water and 39% percent less water than standard models.
• Clothes dryers use 25% percent less energy.
• Ultra low flush toilets use 67% less water than standard 20L models.

In the table below, the non-conserving appliance values are based on average equipment installed between 1980 and 1994.

Household Utility Savings Using Water Efficient Appliances

Table adapted from "Handbook of Water Use and Conservation" (ISBN 1-931579-07-5, WaterPlow Press, 2001)

* Using a natural gas water heater:
Household = 2.6 people
$2.50 water/sewer charge per cubic metre water
$10.00 GJ for natural gas.