Are you aware of how much money is being spent on your water utility bills each month? If not, it might be time to examine the fixtures around your home. If you don't know what a faucet aerator is or perhaps have never heard of one before, we're here to solve that. In this blog post, you'll learn what a faucet aerator is and why you need to install them around your home. 

What are faucet aerators?

Faucets aerators are small cylinders that attach to the end of your faucet spout and help reduce the water flow rate by around 50%. Faucet aerators, now standard components on most kitchen and bathroom faucets, were first introduced to homes in the late 1940s as add-on devices. They helped reduce splashing by introducing oxygen into the water while also improving its taste. 

Nowadays, you can purchase separate faucet aerators that attach to existing sinks with no extra work or equipment required - they're a quick fix for any lacking fixtures! Faucet aerators work with every type of faucet and are an affordable option for reducing water consumption. 

How they work

In most cases, a faucet aerator is just a screw-on device that attaches to your spout. It's important not to confuse these with screen filters that help remove debris from the water before entering your home. Instead, faucets aerators work by using an internal mechanism that reduces the amount of water that comes out.

The two-sided collar allows the faucet aerator to be threaded either clockwise or counterclockwise onto the faucet. It has a plastic disk with a hole in the center that causes water pressure and flow rate to drop when attached.

This simple little device that attaches to your faucet helps reduce the water flow rate. The flow rate of water measures gallons per minute (GPM) and gallons per hour (GPH), and after just a few weeks, homeowners can notice a significant difference in overall GPM. 

A faucet aerator can help you conserve water while still getting a good amount of flow from your tap. It limits the stream to 1 or 2 gallons per minute, which is more efficient than using no attachment at all.

The purpose of Faucet Aerators

We've all encountered buildup in the faucet spouts around our homes. Most people don't realize the cause is buildup or corrosion in our water pipes. The buildup means the inside of the lines could produce a little piece of grit or scale. While an aerator does clean debris away, it isn't its primary function. On the other hand, a faucet aerator improves water flow and makes the water seem softer to the touch. The faucet aerator allows the faucet to run slower while maintaining a steady pressure.

A few added benefits to using faucet aerators: 

• Prevent splashing
• Shape the water stream coming out of the faucet spout to produce a straight and evenly pressured stream
• Conserve water and reduce energy costs
• Reduce faucet noise
• Increase perceived water pressure (often used in homes with low water pressure); sometimes described as a pressure or flow regulator.
• Provide slight filtration of debris due to a small insert 

Why Are they Important

Having a faucet aerator may make it easier to conserve water and money each month, but how much of a difference does having an aerator make? Homeowners should install these in their homes because not only are they cheaper than other alternatives, but they will add savings to your water utility bill over time. On average, consumers can see savings from $30-$50 per year. 

Key Takeaways

Using a faucet aerator is an inexpensive way to improve your water flow and make it softer to the touch. Not only do they improve the overall water flow, but they are cheaper than other options on the market. Using faucet aerators around your home can help you conserve more water and increase the energy efficiency around your home. 

In this article, we've covered what a faucet aerator is and why they're so essential in every home. We also dove into the benefits of installing one and how they can help you with added savings. 

Visit PowerX Water to learn how PowerX can help you increase your annual savings and conserve even more.