Saving Water Saves Energy

Make the Drops-to-Watts Connection

It's Time for a New Way to Think About Water and Energy

With climate change concerns, pervasive droughts, and high energy prices across the country, nearly everyone is looking for ways to conserve resources and cut costs. The good news is that by using a little “water sense” we can all use less water, energy, and money.

It's time for a new way of thinking about using water and energy more efficiently. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) WaterSense program can help you save both. And look for the ENERGY STAR label on appliances and other products that use water and energy.

Drops & Watts: You Can't Have One Without the Other

Many Americans know about the importance of saving energy, and many know about the importance of saving water. But few know about the direct connection between saving both. We turn on the bathroom lights and the shower without realizing how closely related water and electricity are to each other.

On average, the annual energy used to deliver, heat, and treat water for only 10 households could power a refrigerator for a year. In some areas of the country, that estimate is very low. For example, in parts of Southern California it takes as much as six times more electricity just to supply water to the same number of homes—that's nearly enough electricity to power a whole house for a year. Heating water for bathing, shaving, cooking, and cleaning also requires a considerable amount of energy. Homes with electric water heaters, for example, spend one-quarter of their electric bill just to heat water.

Given how closely related saving water is to saving energy, one of the best ways to save energy across the country and in our own home is to use water more efficiently.

How Can We Start Saving?

One of the simplest ways to save both water and energy is to install water-efficient products. WaterSense labeled products not only save water, but can help reduce your energy bills. Installing WaterSense labeled faucet aerators in your bathrooms, for example, costs just a few dollars but could save you enough electricity to dry your hair every day for a year!

You can choose from hundreds of WaterSense labeled products. What's more, you can be sure the products will not only save resources, but will perform well. WaterSense labeled products must undergo independent, third-party testing and certification to ensure they meet EPA's criteria for both efficiency and performance.

Look for WaterSense labeled products and start saving both water and energy! For more information, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

This document is also available in PDF (2 pp, 184K, About PDF).