How Much Water Does A Garden Hose Use Per Hour?

Average Water Usage Without Restrictions

At a flow rate of roughly 10 gallons of water per minute, the average garden hose can use up to 600 gallons of water per hour. It is important to be aware of this amount when you are watering your garden or lawn. Not only is it important to conserve water and be mindful of your water bill, watering too much can lead to weeds and other unwanted plants. Over-watering can also damage the soil, plants, and even your grass.

Factors Affecting Water Usage

A number of factors can affect the amount of water a garden hose uses per hour. For instance, a hose with a nozzle can minimize water pressure and reduce the water net usage, as the nozzle limits the amount of water coming out. Additionally, the length of the hose can also increase the amount of water used. Longer hoses can decrease water pressure and increase water usage.

Hose Length

Most garden hoses measure anywhere from five to fifty feet in length. The smaller hoses can tend to use more water due to their lower water pressure. As the length of the hose increases, the water pressure decreases, and if the nozzle does not restrict water flow, the usage of water per hour can get quite high. It is important to always use the right hose length when watering your garden or lawns.

Sprinkler Pressure Restrictors

While it may seem counterintuitive, there are devices that can be installed on the hose that will actually limit the amount of water coming out of the nozzle. Sprinkler pressure restrictors can be mounted directly on the garden hose to reduce water flow to as low as three gallons per minute. This can reduce the amount of water used per hour to anywhere from 180 to 360 gallons, depending on the length of the hose.

Water Timers

Another great way to conserve water is to install a water timer. A water timer is a device that automatically turns off the water flow after a certain amount of time. These devices can be preset to any amount of time, from five minutes to an hour, and they will cut off the water flow. This greatly limits water usage and can help ensure that you don't accidentally use too much.

Insights

Watering from a garden hose can use anywhere from 180 to 600 gallons of water per hour. It is important to be aware of this amount in order to conserve water and avoid wasting it. Additionally, a number of different factors can affect the amount of water used per hour, including hose length, nozzle, and sprinkler pressure reduce the amount of water used. Finally, installing a water timer is an effective way to control water usage and ensure that you don't go over your limit.