T

he WaterSense program is currently developing a

labeling specification for single-family residential

new homes. A draft specification has been

released for public comment; builders will be able to

label their new homes once it is finalized. The following

describes the water-saving features of a WaterSense

labeled new home of the future. 

Residential water use accounts for more than half of

publicly supplied water in the United States. The U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established

WaterSense to protect the future of the nation’s water

supply and to promote water-efficient products and

services with a simple, easy-to-identify label. EPA

encourages homeowners to replace their older, inefficient toilets and faucets with more water-efficient

models. As populations increase, our water resources

will be taxed further. The next step is to build new

homes that are designed to use significantly less

water—inside and out.

To encourage homebuilders to construct water-efficient, single-family residences, EPA is developing a

specification to label new homes that will be

designed to reduce water consumption through

efficient plumbing fixtures, hot water delivery, appliances, landscape design, and irrigation systems.

How Can Homes Save Water?

WaterSense labeled new homes will combine

WaterSense labeled products with other water-efficient fixtures and practices to reduce the amount of

water used by approximately 20 percent. In addition

to WaterSense labeled toilets and faucets, these new

homes include dishwashers and clothes washers with

the ENERGY STAR label, if those appliances are

installed when the home is built. WaterSense labeled

new homes will incorporate a hot water distribution

system that decreases the amount of time it takes for

hot water to reach the faucet or shower—waiting for

hot water wastes thousands of gallons of water per

year. Pressure regulator valves will be installed downstream of the water meter to reduce the pressure of

the water going into the home. This reduces the maximum water flow from fixtures and the likelihood of

leaking pipes and hoses. 

Builders will have the option of developing an outdoor “water budget” and planning accordingly, or

ensuring that the landscaping is designed efficiently.

If the home has an outdoor irrigation system, it must

be installed and audited by WaterSense irrigation

partners to ensure efficiency.

How Much Water Can They Save?

While the amount of savings that can be realized by

living in a WaterSense labeled new home is dependent upon the number of people living in the home

and their water use habits, a WaterSense labeled

new home will be designed and built to be about

20 percent more efficient than similar new homes

being built today. At this level of efficiency, households can save more than 10,000 gallons of water

per year. WaterSense labeled new homes will also

realize significant energy savings, due to the

reduced amount of hot water used. 

When Can New Homes Be Labeled?

EPA is in the process of finalizing its specification for

water-efficient single-family homes, including developing a system for independent, third-party inspection of homes that apply for the WaterSense label.

Once the specification is completed, EPA will start

working with builder partners, who may begin constructing and promoting WaterSense labeled new

homes as early as 2009. For more information, visit

<www.epa.gov/watersense>.

WaterSense® Labeled

New Homes

EPA-832-F-08-058

(866) WTR-SENS (987-7367) · www.epa.gov/watersense · watersense@epa.gov

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