Faucet Aerator 

Water saving bathroom and kitchen aerators

Faucet aerators effortlessly save water, and water conservation means home energy savings. 

Bathroom and kitchen aerators are simple screw in attachments with wire screens that mix air into the water flow.

When first introduced the initial purpose was to simply reduce the flow rate or water stream in order to eliminate sink splashing. 

With the rising interest in water conservation, energy savings minded homeowners and businesses alike are becoming more interested in the water saving potential of faucet aerators.

In fact bathroom and kitchen aerators dont just save water; they also reduce the natural gas and electricity cost involved with water heating. Aerators coupled with water saving shower heads can reduce the average homes hot water usage by as much as 50%. 

Both water saving devices are incredibly inexpensive and very easy to install.

Take a look at your faucets

Low flow aerators can be added to just about any standard faucet. Check the tips of your faucets to see if there are threads along the inside. Even many older bathroom and kitchen sink faucets are pre threaded.

If aerators are already present then remove them by hand or with a wrench. The flow rate (which is measured in gallons per minute or gpm) should be imprinted along the side. Newer faucet aerators can significantly reduced flow rates even further than older models and all without reducing the water pressure.

Kitchen aerators

Kitchen faucets generally demand higher flow rates than bathroom faucets. So using a water saving aerator with a minimum flow rate of 1.5 gpm is highly recommended. However kitchen faucets without aerators can use as much as 3 to 5 gallons of water per minute.

New swivel aerators have pivots. This allows for a circular or rotating movement which comes in handy when cleaning kitchen sinks. Those who wash dishes by hand may find a swivel aerator with a shut off valve even more ideal.

Bathroom aerators

Bathroom aerators usually are chrome plated or brass. They provide a more projected and pressurized spray than most kitchen aerators. And bathroom aerators generally cost even less, ranging anywhere from $2 to $5 each.

Bathroom faucets without these attachments can use anywhere from 2 to 4 gallons of water per minute. New low flow bathroom aerators use as little as 1 to .5 gallons per minute and all without reducing water pressure.

Don't forget to clean them

The wire screens can get clogged with sediments and other mineral deposits after months or years of constant use. Periodically remove and clean them. This will resolve potential water pressure problems as well as prevent future faucet leaks.