Water heating is the second largest energy use in new homes after space conditioning (heating and cooling). A paper published last year by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory presents a detailed breakdown of household water use. The charts below show national average water consumption by end use for new homes. They include the effect of new standards.

The report, titled The Effect of Efficiency Standards on Water Use and Water Heating Energy Use in the U.S.: A Detailed End-use Treatment (LBL-35475) by Koomey, Dunham and Lutz, can be obtained by calling 510-486-6444 or faxing 510-486-6996.

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Saturation Weighted Water Use for New Homes (gallons/day)

                 Hot Water       Cold Water       Hot and Cold 

                        

Sink Filling         7                5                12





Faucet Flow          3                6                 9





Bath Filling        10                9                19





Showers             19               14                33





Clothes Washer       7               23                30





Dishwasher           5                0                 5





Toilet               0               30                30





Yard                 0               86                86





Total            51            173             224