Eco-Friendly Plumbing Tips for Homeowners
April is Earth Month, so what better time for homeowners to make sustainability upgrades than right now! Plumbing fixtures account for a large amount of in-home energy consumption, thus why they are a great place to start for homeowners who want to make environmentally conscious changes.
There are some simple upgrades that can improve sustainability. If helping the environment isn’t convincing enough, upgrading plumbing fixtures to be more eco-friendly can also save a significant amount of money. Who knew homeowners could have the best of both worlds! Here are three things homeowners can do to make their plumbing fixtures more eco-friendly.
Use the Right Pipe Materials
Proper pipe construction can heavily impact the efficiency of hot water delivery systems. The amount of time it takes to deliver hot water significantly affects energy and water consumption. Of course, homeowners use hot water in their homes all the time, so this is of great importance!
Using the right pipe materials can work wonders in facilitating the efficient delivery of hot water. Copper is a common piping material used for hot and cold drinking water supplies, as it is durable and tolerates heat well. Another great option is chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC). This piping is durable and tolerates heat well, and is also flexible and well insulated, limiting excess heat loss.
Homeowners can also add basic insulation (e.g., foam or fiberglass) around their pipes to further improve efficiency.
Use Water Conserving Toilets
Toilets account for a considerable proportion of total in-home water use, as a single flush can require several gallons of water. Water-saving toilets are a great way for homeowners to be more eco-friendly.There are many types of models that utilize different methods to conserve water. Some examples include:
- Gravity-Assisted – simple and cheap, these leverage gravity to clear waste with water that flows downward from a tank to the bowl
- Dual-Flush – slightly more expensive, these are a type of gravity-assisted toilet that have two flush buttons (one for liquid and one for solid waste, both with lower water usage overall)
- Pressure-Assisted – more expensive, these have sealed plastic inner tanks that compress air, which forces water out during a flush.
- Vacuum-Assisted – most efficient, these suck waste out from the bottom of the toilet.
Just think of how often homeowners (and other individuals in their homes) flush the toilet every day. The positive effects on the environment and homeowners’ wallets can be astronomical with this upgrade.
Use Energy Efficient Water Heaters
Water heaters eat up a ton of home energy and are often overlooked since they are usually hidden out of sight. Water heaters function by consuming energy to heat water above its original temperature.
There are several different types of energy-efficient water heaters, each with varying methods of efficient operations. These include:
- Heat pump
- High-efficiency gas storage
- Whole-home gas tankless
- Solar
When in doubt, homeowners should look for water heaters like those above that have the independent ENERGY STAR certification.
About Force Plumbing and Heating LLC
Force Plumbing and Heating LLC is a family-owned and operated, full-service plumbing company in Holmdel, NJ, that believes in reliable, high-quality service. Their owner and master plumber personally answers every call, ensuring that customers get the solutions they need at prices they can afford. Give them a call for plumbing help today!
