Few people realize how much of their indoor water consumption is tied to the faucets on their sinks. In particular, the kitchen sink faucet. In this blog post, we explain why replacing a conventional kitchen sink faucet with a new eco-friendly faucet is something more homeowners need to consider.

We all know that dripping faucets are bad news. A typical leaky faucet can drip ten times every minute, which equates to every six seconds. Literally, money down the drain once you factor in how many gallons of water a day that amounts to and the effect this has on your water bill. But it’s not just a leaky faucet you should be concerned about.

According to the EPA, replacing a low-efficiency faucet with a WaterSense-labeled alternative can equate to up to 700 gallons of water saved per year. Let’s look at a few of the most popular water-efficient kitchen sink faucets.

Pull-Down Faucet

This fashionable kitchen sink faucet is ideal for the deeper sinks currently trending in modern kitchen design. It’s a stylish faucet that’s become quite popular due to its gooseneck design and the convenience factor it brings. The spout’s snaked hose can be pulled out to provide greater accessibility when washing pots and pans in a sink where the dishes are piled high. Pfister and KOHLER make some amazing WaterSense-labeled pull down faucets ranging from $232 to $410. Moen Arbor also has a motionless two-sensor touchless one-handle pull-down model priced around $740.


Pull-Out Faucet

This faucet comes in a wide variety of designs and is ideal for a smaller kitchen sink. The head of a pull-out faucet can be entirely detached. This offers more maneuverability while maintaining the reach of a pull-down faucet’s snaked hose. There’s also less splashback since the stream of the shower can be better controlled. Moen Arbor’s one-handle pullout kitchen faucet is priced around $250. Phister’s Pfirst series 1-handle pull-out kitchen faucet is also available for a more reasonably priced $95.


Single-Handle Faucet

This faucet style, which is also known as a single-lever faucet, is the most commonly seen in kitchens. There’s a basic tap with a handle on a ball joint that can be pushed up or pushed down. One handle controls both water temperature and pressure. Although it’s easier to install and service due to its straightforward design, it can’t reach a sink’s far corners as well as other styles.


Hands-Free Faucet

This faucet design, which has a motion sensor built into it, is the priciest of options. The convenience factor is this style’s main selling point. Water automatically turns on or off in response to hand motion. This minimizes any chance of contamination and is easier to clean up. That said, functionality is a deterrent. For example, something as simple as filling up a pot of water becomes complicated since most of us use two hands to hold a pot as it fills. This faucet style is also more expensive to repair since there are many unique parts, many of which are state-of-the-art, that can wear down.


Need Kitchen Sink Faucet Installation in the Los Angeles Area?

When you’re shopping for a new kitchen sink faucet, your first priority needs to be finding one that’s eco-friendly and more efficient than the one you’re replacing. Be sure to look for models labeled with the Watersense logo which is sized and shaped like the Energy Star logo you’d find on a lightbulb or appliance. Watersense encourages manufacturers to use at least 20% less water than standard faucets. From there, other features and accessories are up to your preferences and available budget.

Once you’ve found the right replacement kitchen sink faucet, call T-Top Plumbing at 805-527-8867 to schedule new faucet installation with our skilled pros.