Water Pressure Reducing Valve – Will it save water?
MIKE GUERTIN
| Posted in General Questions on
Low-flow faucets and showerheads work by restricting the water volume. But volume is a function of the size of the hole and pressure. So would installing a pressure reducing valve on the incoming water line in home with high street pressure (80 – 100 PSI) reduce the water delivered through the fixtures thereby reducing water use? If so, what would be a good pressure setting to adjust the valve to? I checked the Green Basics on Plumbing and didn’t see anything addressing this.
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Replies
Mike,
The EPAct standard (the Federal standard for maximum allowable flow for showerheads, faucets, etc.) rates showerhead flow and kitchen faucet flow at 80 psi. Lavatory faucet flow is rated at 60 psi.
At lower pressures, flow rates will be somewhat lower. Whether or not this is irritating to the occupants depdends on the occupants.
However, many rural residents have pressure tank regulators that regulate house pressure in the range of 30 psi to 50 psi, and find that their fixtures and faucets work fine.