Eco-friendly plumbing is definitely one of how we can all make an impact on the environment and lower our footprint. If you have work done in the house or want to improve your plumbing (and your environmental impact in the process), these tips can make a huge difference.
Importance of Eco-Friendly Plumbing
Ask any plumbing contractor or professional, and they will tell you that there is a big trend towards eco-friendly techniques these days. There are certain changes you can make to have a huge difference. Considering that it has been estimated that 9,400 gallons of water are wasted annually in each household, you’ll see how important this is. Water is not a limitless resource.
What is Green Plumbing?
The term “green plumbing” is one that we are hearing used all the time now, referring to eco-friendly plumbing methods and products that might minimise the consumption of water, conserve energy and increase efficiency in other ways, including lowering the utility bills.
Some also refer to this regarding the actual quality of the water and improving the purity. We’re focusing on the methods for eco-friendly home plumbing and making your home more “green”.
Install an Efficient Water Heater
Water heaters can use up an incredible amount of fuel, and if you don’t have an efficient one, it is likely to be even worse. The technology behind water heaters has improved a lot in recent years, so if you use a water heater older than ten years, then you probably don’t have the most efficient modern technology.
If you have a smaller home, you can also get a tankless system that heats the water as you need it rather than going through the process of keeping water hot all the time.
Choose Proper Piping
The pipework plays a big part too. Poor quality pipework can be more prone to leaks or require repair, and on top of that, it may not be as well insulated. This means you will lose more heat when running hot water through your home.
Getting quality, insulated pipework is an investment, and it isn’t easy to get this work done. Still, it is definitely worth doing if you are keen to ensure you have hot water and don’t have to spend over the odds on heating to a higher level because of your poor-quality pipes. It is also easier for the water to transport through properly insulated pipes.
Eliminate Leaks
Leaks can be one of the biggest culprits when it comes to losing water within your home. There are a lot of places where water can leak within your pipework; that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be obvious when it happens. Hidden leaks might start to lose a lot of water, and it can take a long time for you actually to realise.
Checking your water pressure is one way you can check for clues of a leak, and you should regularly perform some visible inspections to try and see if there is any mould or other signs of leaks. Also, if your bills rise, this could be one of the reasons behind it, so be sure to inspect thoroughly.
Consider Water-Saving Toilets
There are a few different systems that you can use to save water within your toilet. Low-flush toilets are a good way to prevent using so much water in your home. Some inefficient toilets can use twice as much water as modern, efficient versions. If you’ve got an old toilet in your home, this could be one of the main reasons that you are using so much water, and there is simply no need to do so with the modern green plumbing methods out there.
Install Low-Flow Faucets and Showerheads
Lower flow and aerated faucets and showerheads can be a way to get the same effects without using so much water. A lot of the time, showers and faucets or taps can use more water than you need. Over time, even wasting water while brushing your teeth or washing your hands can add up.
Photo by PAN XIAOZHEN on Unsplash.
