Abstract The main objective of this paper is to propose a method for quantifying the energy consumption in the life cycle of different plumbing fixtures. The method can be used to estimate the energy consumption in the production, use and disposal phases of plumbing fixtures. This allows for the comparison between the performances of different plumbing fixtures and the identification of the share of each phase on the energy consumption over the life cycle. The method was applied in a case study in Southern Brazil to quantify the energy consumption in the life cycle of two types of taps installed on a university campus. The total energy consumption in the life cycle of ordinary and self-closing taps used in the study was respectively, 177.71 MJ and 164.11 MJ over 4 years. Production accounted for 33% of the energy consumption share of the ordinary tap, while the use phase accounted for 65% and the disposal phase for 2%. For the self-closing tap, the production phase accounted for 46% of the energy consumption share, the use phase for 52% and the disposal phase for 2%. Therefore, considering the energy consumption in the life cycle, self-closing taps should be preferred over ordinary taps.