We put together a separate guide outlining how we use water at home, as well as how much, and how to potentially save water.
In the guide below however, we specifically look at how much water common household appliances and devices use.
These devices and appliances include dishwashers, washing machines, toilets, taps/faucets and so on.
We also briefly outline outdoor water use.
Summary – How Much Water Common Household Appliances & Devices Use
Firstly, How Much Water Do We Use At Home, & How Do We Use It?
We outline how much water we use at home, and how we use it in this guide.
In the guide below, we provide a brief summary of the main points from this guide, including which devices and activities around the home might use the most water.
A Reminder About How Much Water Appliances Use
Data contained in this guide is general data only.
Individual brands and models of appliances and home devices will use different amounts of water – so, check the individual product details and/or specifications prior to purchase yourself to confirm.
How Much Water Different Appliances Use
In the guide below, we outline different water usage stats for the following appliance types:
– Dishwashers
– Washing machines (front loaders, and also top loaders)
– Showers (shower heads)
– Toilets (full flush, and dual flush models)
– Bath tubs
– Bathroom taps/faucets (mixers)
– Outdoor devices and products like hoses, sprinklers, buckets and watering cans, pressure cleaners, and pools
– ‘Other’ appliances and devices
Different Ways To Measure Water Use
Different appliances can measure water use in different ways (which makes comparing different appliances hard)
For example, dishwashers and washing machines may be measured per load or per wash.
Toilets may be measured per flush.
Taps/faucets, shower heads, and hoses on the other hand may be measured per minute of operating.
So, keep this in mind.
Leaks At Home
In addition to appliances, leaks at home also use water.
We provide some rough figures on how much water a standard leak might waste in the guide below.
Checking Water Usage For Appliances & Devices
In the guide below, we outline the ways to check water usage for both new and existing appliances and devices
Water Efficiency Rating Systems & Programs
Water efficiency programs and rating system differ between countries and regions, so, make sure to check which one any appliances you buy is using
General Water SavIng Tips For Appliances
We provide a list of potential water saving tips for appliances at the bottom of this guide
Firstly, How Much Water Do We Use At Home, & How Do We Use It?
We outline how much water we use at home, and how we use it in this guide.
Some of the main points from that guide (as a brief summary) might include:
– We use water both inside and outside the home
– Whether we use more water outside the home depends on factors such as the climate, and also how many devices and activities outside require water use (and also how intensive they are)
– When it comes to water use for different devices and products inside the home, one study indicates that toilets use the most water, followed by showers, faucets, and then clothes washers. Baths and then dishwashers may use the least compared to these other devices and products (when breaking down the % of a home’s overall water use)
– When it coms to water use for different activities, another study indicates that bathing and showering uses the most water, followed by flushing the toilet, and then laundry
A Reminder About How Much Water Appliances Use
There’s variables involved in how much water an appliance actually uses.
Just a few examples include the brand and model of appliance, the type of appliance it is, the size/capacity of the appliance, what water rating system it is using, and other features that can impact water usage.
The data below is general data only, and is sourced from various reports and manufacturer’s product details and specification sheets.
Check the specifications for an individual appliance to confirm water usage prior to purchase.
How Much Water Does A Dishwasher Use
The size of the dishwater matters for water use per load, as well as the water rating
However, one set of data indicates that newer more water efficient dishwashers may use less than a quarter of the water that older dishwashers use per load
New Water Efficient Dishwashers
Might use around 13.4 litres, or 3.5 gallons of water, for one load/cycle
Old Dishwashers
Can use up to 60 litres, or 18.5 gallons of water, for one load/cycle
How Much Water Does A Washing Machine Use
Front loader washing machines appear to use less water than top loader models
Although, the water rating has to be taken into account, as well as the size of the washing machine, and any other features that may impact water use per wash/per load
6kg Front Loader Washing Machine – 4.5 Star Water Rating
Can use around 61 litres per wash
11kg Front Loader Washing Machine – 4.5 Star Water Rating
Can use around 94 litres per wash
6kg Top Loader Washing Machine – 3.5 Star Water Rating
Can use around 73 litres per wash
11kg Top Loader Washing Machine – 3.5 Star Water Rating
Can use around 135 litres per wash
How Much Water Does A Shower Use
Water efficient shower heads might use slightly less than half the water of older model shower heads
Older Model Shower Head
Can use 17 litres, or 4.5 gallons of water, per minute
Water Efficient Shower Head
Can use 8 litres, or 2.1 gallons of water, per minute
How Much Water Does A Toilet Use
Dual flush toilets may use roughly two thirds of the water of single flush toilets
Single Flush Toilet (Full Flush)
Can use 12 litres, or 3.17 gallons of water, per flush
Dual Flush Toilet (w/ Half Flush)
Can use 8 litres, 2.1 gallons of water, per flush. Sometimes they use less
How Much Water Does A Bath Use
How much water bath uses depends on factors like the size of the tub
Average Fully Filled Bath Tub
Might have a capacity of 140 litres, or 37 gallons of water
But, it depends on the size of the tub
How Much Water Does A Tap/Faucet Use
Depending on the ‘water rating’ of a bathroom tap/faucet mixer, higher rated mixers can use roughly more than a third less water per minute the tap/faucet is running
Bathroom Tap/Faucet Mixer – 4 Star Water Rating
Can use 7.5 litres a minute
Bathroom Tap/Faucet Mixer – 5 Star Water Rating
Can use 6 litres a minute
Bathroom Tap/Faucet Mixer – 6 Star Water Rating
Can use 4.5 litres a minute
How Much Water Do Hoses, Sprinklers & Outdoor Devices & Products Use
When watering lawns and gardens, the water usage rate of hoses and sprinklers can be considered.
When cleaning vehicles, the water use of hoses and buckets can be compared.
Additionally, swimming pools contain a lot of water, and need to be refilled periodically.
Standard Garden Hose (with or without a trigger head), Or Sprinkler
Can use 18 litres, or 4.75 gallons of water, per minute
Bucket Or Watering Can
Can carry 9 litres, or 2.37 gallons of water, per bucket
High Pressure Cleaner
Can use 6 litres, or 1.6 gallons of water, per minute
Average Backyard Swimming Pool
Can hold 20,000 to 40,000 litres, or 5283 to 10566 gallon of water
Other Appliances And How Much Water They Use
Average Fully Filled Kitchen Sink
Might have a capacity of 18 litres, or 4.75 gallons of water
Average Fully Filled Laundry Trough
Might have a capacity of 80 litres, or 21.13 gallons of water
How Much Water Do Leaky Taps/Faucets, & Leaky/Running Toilets Waste
Leaks around the house can use a lot of water.
Leaking taps/faucets and toilets might be monitored in particular.
Pipes can also leak in some instances.
Dripping/Leaking Tap
Might waste 30-150 litres, or 7.93-39.6 gallons of water, per day
Leaky/Running Toilet
Might waste up to 700 litres, or 184.9 gallons of water, per day
A 1999 study estimated 13.7% of household water use goes to leaks (epa.gov).
Fixing Leaks
If you are unsure about how to fix a leaky tap or toilet, it’s best to call in a plumber to fix it for you.
But, if you have a leaky tap in particular, it might mean the washer is loose or needs replacing in some instances
Checking Water Usage For Appliances & Devices
New Appliances & Devices
When checking water usage for an appliance or device, you can go to the manufacturer’s website beforehand to check water usage.
The specification sheet or the product details should tell you the water efficiency rating, and also the amount of water used during the functioning of the appliance.
For a dishwasher for example, it may provide the water usage amount per wash or per load.
With baths and sinks, the water capacity or volume they hold when ‘full’ should be provided.
Existing Appliances & Devices
A trick to find out how much water existing appliances and devices use is to get a bucket (or buckets) that you already know the volume of, and run the appliance or device into the bucket for 1 minute.
This way you can calculate the per minute water usage of existing hoses, shower hears, taps/faucets, etc. based on how many buckets they fill in a minute at regular speed.
Water Efficiency Rating Systems & Programs For Appliances
Different countries and regions may have different water efficient rating systems, so, check the program/system in your region before purchase.
Appliances and devices should indicate what their rating is, and what system/program they use.
Other General Water Saving Tips For Appliances
Some general water saving tips for appliances might involve:
– Buying higher rated water efficient appliances (i.e. 5 and 6 star appliances, as opposed to 3 star appliances)
– Using specific devices and settings on appliances to save water, such as timers, lower flow settings, water efficient function settings, and so on
– Use low flow or water efficient shower heads
– Use a tap aerator, or low flow tap device
– Use dual flush toilets
– Use a front loader washing machine over a top loader
– Get water leaks fixed
– Run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads where possible instead of loads with minimal clothes or dishes in them
– Using timer settings for sprinklers and irrigation settings outside
Sources
1. https://www.educationsoutheastwater.com.au/im-just-interested/how-much-water-do-my-appliances-use
2. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-03/documents/ws-facthseet-indoor-water-use-in-the-us.pdf
3. https://www.iconwater.com.au/my-home/my-account/average-water-consumption.aspx
4. http://www.capetowngreenmap.co.za/go-green/baths-showers-geysers-taps-washing-machines
5. https://www.bettermeetsreality.com/how-much-water-we-use-at-home-how-we-use-it/
6. Various appliance brand sites, and product specifications (Bosch, Samsung, GE etc.)
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