News Brief

Final WaterSense Specification for Homes Released

by Allyson Wendt

WaterSense certified homes must use WaterSense-labeled fixtures like those in the bathroom of this WaterSense pilot home near Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Photo: Vanguard Homes
After a three-year development process that included several public comment periods and a pilot program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the final WaterSense specification for single-family homes.

Homes that meet the specification should use 20% less water (about 10,000 gallons or 38,000 liters) than those built to code, saving homeowners an average of $200 a year, according to EPA. To be certified, homes must use WaterSense-labeled plumbing fixtures, Energy Star-certified appliances, water- and energy-efficient hot water systems, and water-efficient landscaping. An onsite inspection verifies a homebuilder’s or owner’s claims before certification is awarded. More information is available at http://www.epa.gov/watersense/.

– Allyson Wendt

Published February 1, 2010

Wendt, A. (2010, February 1). Final WaterSense Specification for Homes Released. Retrieved from https://www.buildinggreen.com/newsbrief/final-watersense-specification-homes-released

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