Buyer's guide to lighted faucets

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1. Count the holes and measure their spread

   Look under the sink or at the counter: one hole, or three? With three, measure centre to centre between the outer two. A single-hole faucet needs one hole, or a deck plate to cover a 3-hole, 4-inch layout. A centerset faucet needs 3 holes 4 in apart. A widespread faucet needs 3 holes with a spread inside the range on its spec sheet (often 6 to 16 in, but check).

2. Measure the deck thickness

   The faucet's mounting shank only reaches through so much counter. The spec sheet lists a "maximum deck thickness" or "mounting hole max". Thick stone counters are the usual problem.

3. Compare spout reach with your drain

   Measure from the centre of the faucet hole to the centre of the drain, and compare it with the spout's reach. A stream that lands far past the drain splashes; one that lands short leaves little room for hands. The checker treats within 1 in as on target: that is this site's rule of thumb, not a standard.

4. Vessel sinks: clear the rim

   A bowl that sits on the counter needs a tall (vessel) faucet whose outlet is higher than the bowl's rim, or a wall-mount faucet.

5. Check the flow rate

   US efficiency standards cap bathroom and kitchen faucets at 2.2 gallons per minute at 60 psi. Some spec sheets give the flow at a higher pressure (80 psi, for example), which shows a bigger number for the same faucet, so check which pressure the figure is for: above 2.2 gpm at 60 psi is over the US limit. Source: US Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 430.32(o): water conservation standards for faucets (2.2 gpm at 60 psi)

   That is the federal limit. Several states set lower ones for faucets sold there: EPA notes several require bathroom faucets at or below 1.5 gpm and four at 1.2 gpm, and some set lower kitchen limits too. Check your state's rules. Source: US EPA WaterSense: Notice of Intent to Revise the High-Efficiency Lavatory Faucet Specification (state flow limits below 2.2 gpm)

   EPA WaterSense bathroom sink faucets use at most 1.5 gpm and are independently certified; EPA says that cuts sink flow by 30 percent or more against the 2.2 gpm standard. WaterSense has no criteria for kitchen faucets. Source: US EPA WaterSense: Bathroom sink faucets and accessories

6. Look for NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and lead free

   Water from a bathroom or kitchen faucet gets drunk and used to brush teeth. NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 covers what can leach from parts that touch drinking water. US law defines "lead free" for pipes, fittings and fixtures as a weighted average of no more than 0.25% lead across the wetted surfaces, and since September 1, 2023 makers and importers must certify that their products meet it. NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 is the standard commonly used to show it. Source: US EPA: Use of lead free pipes, fittings, fixtures, solder and flux for drinking water

   A listing can claim anything. Look the brand and model up in the certifier's own public listing. Source: NSF: certified product listings for drinking water system components

7. Look for a plumbing listing mark

   A UPC or cUPC mark means IAPMO has listed the product, and you can look it up by brand and model. Other plumbing certifiers have their own directories. Local codes and inspectors may ask for a listed fixture. Source: IAPMO R&T: Product Listing Directory (UPC and cUPC marks)

8. Know how the light is powered

   Water-powered ("no batteries") lights use a small generator spun by the water, so they light only while water runs and need enough flow; if the spec sheet gives a minimum pressure, compare it with yours (a pressure gauge on an outside hose tap shows it). Battery lights need the battery box reachable and dry. Plug-in lights put a mains adapter under a sink: look for a mark from a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL, ETL/Intertek or CSA, and plug it into a GFCI-protected outlet, not an extension cord. If there is no outlet under the sink, have a licensed electrician add one (good practice). OSHA lists which testing labs are recognized. Source: US OSHA: Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) program (which testing labs are recognized)

   Colour-by-temperature lights show colours the maker chose. They are a display, not an anti-scald device: they do not limit how hot the water gets (good practice).

   Lighted Faucets is not a plumber or an electrician. Follow the maker's instructions and your local code, and call a licensed plumber or electrician when in doubt.

Run these checks on your sink