If you want to sell more homes, make sure they're water-efficient. According to a Shelton Group survey, nearly 80% of new home buyers listed water efficiency as a significant factor in their decision. Through a combination of water-saving equipment and water-efficient design, your homes can make a bigger splash in the market.

Water-saving equipment

Inside, water heating represents about 18% of home energy consumption, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To reduce hot water use:

  • Insulate all hot water supply piping. A minimum of R-4 is recommended. Insulate all piping because the patterns of use vary and are likely to change over the life of the piping.
  • Install low-flow fixtures and water-efficient appliances. WaterSense kitchen and bath products use less water while still providing a comfortable flow. ENERGY STAR®-certified dishwashers and clothes washers use significantly less water and energy than standard models.
  • Install tankless water heaters. The instant hot water provided by tankless units can help cut water consumption. Natural gas units provide continuous hot water while lowering maintenance costs, taking up less space and improving energy efficiency compared to standard storage units. Also, tankless water heaters last nearly twice as long as storage units. Choose ENERGY STAR-certified models to ensure efficiency and performance.

Designing for water efficiency

The source of hot water should be located as close to the end uses (shower, faucet) as possible. In general, acceptable performance is 10 seconds or less for hot water to reach the tap, according to the American Society of Plumbing Engineers Domestic Water Heating Design Manual.

For hot water to reach the tap in approximately 10 seconds, the design of a water distribution system should ideally have a short trunk line and twigs (piping to an appliance) with little to no branches, and as few plumbing restrictions as possible. Depending on the size of the house, you may need more than one water heater or distribution system.

Get labeled

Have your homes WaterSense labeled, which will make them easier to market and sell. WaterSense-labeled homes use 20% less water than conventional new homes.