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 and certification 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 

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

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