Eco-friendly and water-saving CLAGE taps – how to reduce water consumption in the bathroom
Ecological and water-saving taps CLAGE – how to reduce water consumption in the bathroom
Water is a precious commodity. Although it still seems like a given in Slovakia, the costs for water and sewage are rising every year, and households that do not pay attention to water consumption feel it directly in their monthly bills. The bathroom accounts for 30 to 40 percent of total water consumption in an average household – and a large part of that is due to the taps. It is therefore no coincidence that manufacturers of premium taps, including the German brand CLAGE, are increasingly focusing on ecological solutions that reduce consumption without you having to give up comfort.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at how modern CLAGE taps approach water saving, what specific technologies are behind it, how much you can realistically save, and what to consider when choosing a water-saving tap for your bathroom. It is not just about marketing – it is about technology, physics, and common sense.
Why the tap is a key point of water loss
When we talk about water saving in the household, most people immediately imagine shorter showers or water-saving toilet cisterns. However, the tap – that seemingly simple element next to the sink – is a place where water is constantly and quietly lost. Are you standing in front of the mirror brushing your teeth? Water is running. Are you drying your hands before washing them? You are waiting for warm water and in the meantime cold water is running down the drain. Are you adjusting the temperature? That also takes several seconds during which dozens of liters run off per hour.
An old standard tap with two taps and a metal spout has a flow rate of 12 to 18 liters per minute. A modern water-saving tap with an aerator can reduce this flow to 4 to 6 liters per minute while maintaining the same feeling of water flow. When we calculate this: a family of four who wash their hands an average of five times a day for 30 seconds each time, will save 15,000 to 20,000 liters of water per year just by this one change. Without any change in behavior.
How water saving works in CLAGE taps – basic technologies
CLAGE as a manufacturer approaches water saving on several levels at the same time. It is not a single "miraculous" technology, but a well-thought-out system of components and design decisions that complement each other. Let's take a closer look at them.
Aerators and aerators – the key to saving without losing comfort
An aerator – sometimes also called a perlator – is a small insert screwed into the outlet of the tap. It looks unobtrusive, but it is precisely this that is responsible for the fact that it seems to you that the water is flowing just as strongly, although in reality it is flowing significantly less. The principle is physically simple: the aerator divides the water flow into thousands of small streams and mixes them with air. The resulting flow is soft, full, and does not spray – and at a pressure of 3 bar you can achieve a flow rate of only 4.5 to 5.5 liters per minute, while the average user will not feel it is less than at 12 liters per minute when washing hands.
CLAGE uses aerators certified according to the German standard DIN EN 246, which guarantees standardized dimensions and performance parameters. This means that if needed, you can replace the aerator with another one with a different flow restriction without replacing the entire tap. Aerators with the designation M24 (external thread 24 mm) or M22 (external thread 22 mm) are the most common types and can be found in the vast majority of CLAGE bathroom taps.
Single-lever mechanism and fast temperature setting
Maybe it sounds surprising, but the type of tap control has a direct impact on water consumption. A two-lever system with two taps (warm and cold separately) causes it to take longer to set the right temperature – and during this adjustment either too hot or too cold water runs down the drain. The single-lever CLAGE tap with a high-quality ceramic insert allows immediate setting of the desired temperature with one lever movement. Result: less water goes unused.
More about the differences between types of controls can be found in the article Single-lever vs. two-lever tap – which type is suitable for your space in this Knowledge Center.
Thermostatic taps – precision to the tenth of a degree
CLAGE thermostatic taps are equipped with a built-in thermostat that automatically maintains the set water temperature even when the pressure in the network fluctuates. While with a standard single-lever tap, when someone flushes the toilet in the adjacent room, the water temperature at the shower suddenly changes – with a thermostatic tap, it remains stable. In addition to safety (protection against scalding), this feature has a direct impact on consumption: you do not have to correct the temperature two or three times, the water does not run unnecessarily long.
Thermostatic solutions are especially suitable for households with children or elderly people, where safety is combined with savings.
Numbers that speak for everything – how much you will save in practice
Theory is nice, but it is the actual numbers that will show you whether your investment in the ecological CLAGE tap is worth it. Let's do the math.
An average Slovak household of four people consumes about 80 to 100 m³ of water per year. Of this, the bathroom and toilet account for about 60 percent. If you simply replace an old tap with a flow rate of 15 l/min with a water-saving CLAGE tap with an aerator and a flow rate of 5 l/min at the sink, you save 67 percent of the flow when washing hands. With four people and five hand washes per day (each lasting about 25 seconds), the calculation looks like this:
- Old tap: 4 people × 5 washes × 25 s × 15 l/min = 125 liters per day
- Water-saving CLAGE: 4 people × 5 washes × 25 s × 5 l/min = 41.7 liters per day
- Saving: 83 liters per day → 30,295 liters per year → approx. 30 m³
With an average cost of water and sewerage in Slovakia around 3.50 € per m³ (including sewerage), this represents a saving of roughly 105 € per year – and this calculation includes only the sink tap, not the shower or bath. Total savings in the entire bathroom can easily reach 150 to 200 € per year for one household.
To this, you should add energy savings – less hot water means less energy needed to heat it. If you use less gas or electricity for heating water, your annual savings will increase even further.
Eco-certifications and standards – what they mean in practice
CLAGE is a German manufacturer, and Germany is one of the strictest countries in Europe in terms of water-saving standards. CLAGE taps commonly meet the following standards and certifications:
- WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) – British certification for the hygiene of materials coming into contact with drinking water
- KTW/W270 – German standard for the hygienic safety of materials in contact with drinking water
- DIN EN 817 / EN 200 – European standards for single-lever mixing taps
- Waterwise Recommended Checkmark – some CLAGE models receive this British recommendation for water-saving products
This means for the customer that the tap is not only "eco-looking" due to marketing, but actually meets the hygiene and performance requirements you expect from it. CLAGE tap materials do not contain harmful lead mixtures or nickel surfaces that could contaminate drinking water – an important factor especially where the tap is directly connected to drinking water used for cooking.
Specific types of water-saving CLAGE taps suitable for the bathroom
In the CLAGE tap range at atria.sk, you will find several basic types, each with a slightly different application in terms of water saving. Let's characterize them.
CLAGE Basin Taps
A basin tap is the most important piece of equipment in the bathroom in terms of frequency of use – washing hands, brushing teeth, morning face washing. It is precisely here that the flow aerator has the most noticeable effect. CLAGE basin taps are standardly equipped with an aerator with a flow rate of 4 to 6 l/min at a pressure of 3 bar. The height of the spout (so-called goose neck) is usually in the range of 160 to 200 mm, which is ideal for standard basin basins.
Also important is the position of the lever – CLAGE taps have a design in which the middle position of the lever corresponds to cold water. This design reduces the consumption of hot water and energy for short, random doses (e.g., quick hand washing at low temperatures) – the lever remains on the side of cold water.
CLAGE Shower Taps
A shower is the biggest "consumer" of water in the bathroom in terms of absolute volume. An average shower lasts 7 to 9 minutes. At a flow rate of 15 l/min, this amounts to 105 to 135 liters – at a water-saving shower with a flow rate of 8 l/min, it is 56 to 72 liters, which is a drop of more than 45 percent.
CLAGE shower taps (whether wall-mounted single-lever or thermostatic) are designed to work with a water-saving shower head with a flow rate limitation. If you combine a CLAGE tap with a water-saving shower set with a flow rate of 7 to 9 l/min, you will achieve the maximum saving effect through their combination.
CLAGE Bathtub Taps
A bathtub is the most energy and water-intensive way of bathing – filling a bathtub (standard volume 150 to 200 liters) versus a shower (56 to 72 liters with a water-saving tap). Despite this, there are ecological measures here as well: a CLAGE bathtub tap with a thermostat allows you to fill the bathtub to the exact temperature without unnecessary preheating or cooling.
If you are also interested in selecting the correct dimensions and parameters, read the article Tap connection spacing and dimensions – how to measure and choose the right size, where you will find specific measurement procedures.
Technical side – what affects the water-saving efficiency of the tap
Water saving is not only about the manufacturer and model of the tap. It is a combination of several factors that together create the overall result. As a technician who has seen dozens of installations, I can confirm that the same tap can have a flow rate of 5 l/min in one household and 9 l/min in another – and the difference is only in the pressure in the network.
Water pressure in the network
The flow through the aerator depends directly on the pressure. At a pressure of 1 bar (100 kPa), the aerator allows 5 l/min less than at a pressure of 4 bars. Most Slovak housing estates have a pressure range of 2.5 to 4.5 bars. If you have a pressure above 3 bars, the aerator will work at higher flow rates – but still significantly lower than without an aerator. If you have a pressure below 2 bars (older buildings, higher floors), the flow will naturally be lower even without a special aerator.
More technical information about pressure and flow can be found in the article Water flow and pressure – what CLAGE tap parameters you need.
Condition of the plumbing installation
In old panel buildings, the pipes are clogged with limescale and rust, which naturally limits the flow. In such a situation, a new water-saving tap may give the impression of a "weak flow" – not because the tap is bad, but because the pipes do not allow more. Before installing a new tap, I always recommend checking the condition of the supply angle valves and flexible hoses.
Aerator cleanliness
Clogged aerator screen is the most common reason for reduced flow. Limescale and mechanical impurities from the pipe gradually narrow the holes in the mesh. CLAGE valves have removable aerators (aerator key is included with the valve as standard), and cleaning takes 10 minutes. The cleaning procedure is described in detail in the article Cleaning and maintenance of CLAGE valves – how to extend their lifespan and remove limescale.
Intelligent control and the next generation of water saving
Modern premium bathrooms are also starting to look for valves with electronic control – contactless sensor valves. CLAGE offers solutions with an infrared sensor in its portfolio, which will let water flow only when hands are under the faucet and automatically shut off the supply when hands are removed. This eliminates one of the biggest sources of unnecessary water loss: unintentional dripping during brushing teeth, hand washing, etc.
Studies show that a sensor valve can reduce water consumption at the sink by another 30 to 40 percent compared to a standard water-saving lever valve. In private homes, this technology is still less common due to the higher price, but in commercial premises, office buildings, and hotels it is already standard.
Practical tips for maximizing savings in the entire bathroom
Even the best CLAGE valve will not reach its full potential if other bathroom elements unnecessarily waste water. From practice, I recommend these measures that complement each other:
- Replace aerators on all valves at once. An investment in a set of aerators with limited flow costs just a few euros, and the return is within months. If you have old valves and don't want to replace them, start with the aerators.
- Combine with a water-saving showerhead. A showerhead with a flow rate of 7–8 l/min in combination with a CLAGE thermostatic shower valve is the golden standard for water-saving showering without losing the feeling of comfort.
- Set the temperature once and for good. On a thermostatic valve, set the temperature to 38–40 °C and leave it that way. Unnecessary temperature adjustments consume water and energy.
- Install corner valves with regulation. A corner valve with an integrated flow limiter can further reduce the maximum flow where the pressure in the network is too high.
- Regular aerator maintenance. Check the aerator every 6 months and clean it of limescale. A clogged aerator increases pressure losses and paradoxically can increase uncontrolled flow at high pressure in the network.
- Watch out for leaks. Even a dripping valve can waste dozens of liters a day. One drop per second = 30 liters per day = 11 m³ per year. The issue of dripping and its solution can be found in the article Common CLAGE valve faults – dripping, weak flow and their solutions.
Investment vs. return – is it worth paying extra for CLAGE?
This is the question customers ask most often. CLAGE is not a cheap brand – in the valve segment it belongs to the middle and higher classes. What do you get for that extra cost?
First, the ceramic cartridge of CLAGE has a lifespan of 300,000 to 500,000 openings and closings – that is 20 to 30 years of use without the need to replace the seals. Cheap valves for 20–30 € have plastic or low-quality ceramic cartridges, which start dripping after 3 to 5 years. A new valve every 4 years versus a valve once every 25 years – the economic logic is clear.
Second, water savings. As we calculated above, 60 to 110 € per year for one bathroom is a real value. A CLAGE valve for 120–180 € (middle range) therefore pays for itself in pure savings within 1.5 to 2 years – and saves for another 20 years.
Third, warranty and availability of spare parts. CLAGE supplies spare cartridges, aerators, and seals. With unknown Asian brands, you won't find spare parts even for money after 3 years. More on this topic in the article CLAGE valves vs. other brands – what they differ in and is it worth paying extra.
Installation and first setting of a water-saving CLAGE valve
Proper installation directly affects whether the valve will function according to the technical specifications. A poorly sealed valve will drip under the sink and you will lose dozens of liters of water even before it reaches the aerator. An incorrectly set temperature regulator on a thermostatic valve will cause you to manually adjust the temperature with every use.
Basic installation steps:
- Shut off the water supply and drain the pipes
- Check the distance between connections (standard 150 mm, 100 or 110 mm for some models) – details in the article Connection spacing and valve dimensions – how to measure and choose the right size
- Install seals (usually included in the CLAGE packaging) – never install without seals, even if the thread seems to seal by itself
- Connect flexible hoses – do not over-tighten, maximum torque 5–8 Nm
- Set the aerator and first water flow (let several liters run through to clean the pipes before closing the aerator)
The full step-by-step procedure can be found in the article Installation of CLAGE water valve – step-by-step guide.
Ecological aspect – water as a resource, not just a commodity
To conclude, it is worth mentioning a broader context. Slovakia has relatively good access to drinking water, but climate change is changing the situation even here. Drier summers, lower groundwater levels, higher costs for water treatment – these are real trends, not just abstract environmental concerns. Every cubic meter of water that does not unnecessarily flow down the drain means less load on wastewater treatment plants, less energy consumption for pumping and treating water, and lower operating costs for water supply companies (which ultimately reflect in prices for all consumers).
Choosing a water-saving faucet from CLAGE is not only a personal economic calculation – it is also a small but concrete contribution to responsible water use. And this is without any compromise in terms of comfort, because modern technologies – aerators, ceramic inserts, thermostats – can reduce consumption while maintaining or even improving the user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I replace the aerator in an old faucet with a water-saving one and achieve the same effect as with a new CLAGE faucet?
Partially yes – replacing the aerator with a model that has a limited flow rate (e.g., 4 l/min instead of the standard 12–15 l/min) significantly reduces water consumption. However, an old faucet may still have poor temperature regulation, a low-quality valve mechanism, and higher leaks. An aerator is a good first step, but a new, high-quality CLAGE faucet provides a comprehensive solution, including a more reliable seal, more precise temperature control, and a longer lifespan without dripping.
What flow rate do you recommend for an aerator on a bathroom sink?
For regular hand and face washing, an optimal flow rate is 4 to 6 liters per minute at a pressure of 3 bar. This range is sufficient for typical hygiene tasks and also ensures significant savings. If your water pressure is above 4 bar, consider an aerator with a pressure limiter, which maintains a constant flow regardless of pressure fluctuations.
Does a water-saving faucet reduce the comfort of showering or handwashing?
No, if the aerator and showerhead are chosen correctly. The key is that the aerator mixes water with air – the resulting stream is soft, full, and subjectively just as strong as with a higher flow rate. Most customers do not notice a difference after switching to a CLAGE water-saving faucet, or they notice it positively (less splashing, a softer stream).
Is a thermostatic CLAGE faucet more cost-effective than a standard single-lever faucet from a water-saving perspective?
Yes, a thermostatic faucet offers two advantages: stable temperature (you don’t need to adjust it every day) and faster attainment of the desired temperature without waiting and draining cold or hot water. In households where multiple people shower one after another, the savings compared to a single-lever faucet are real and amount to an additional 8 to 15 percent water savings. The higher initial cost is typically recovered within 2 to 4 years.
Do I need to change the plumbing when replacing a faucet with a water-saving CLAGE model?
Usually not. CLAGE bathroom faucets are designed with a standard distance between connections of 150 mm (some models 100 or 110 mm) and standard threads of G3/8" or G1/2", which correspond to typical Slovak installations. It is sufficient to replace the flexible hoses (if they are old or cracked) and the seals. If in doubt, check the dimensions of your existing connections before purchasing.
How much does operating a bathroom with CLAGE faucets cost compared to a cheaper alternative?
Total cost of ownership (TCO) includes not only the price of the faucet but also water and energy costs for heating water, repairs, and replacements. With a cheap faucet costing 25–40 €, a lifespan of 4–5 years, a flow rate of 15 l/min, and five replacements over 25 years, you will pay 125–200 € for faucets alone plus a significantly higher water bill. A CLAGE faucet costing 150 €, which lasts 25 years and saves 60–100 € annually on water, is clearly more economical when viewed over the entire lifespan.
Do you have a question on this topic?
Not sure or dealing with a specific situation in your home? Write to us – we are happy to help.