Eco-Friendly Plumbing Ideas

As a society, we are moving towards more eco-friendly options overall. Consider adding plumbing to your eco-friendly journey. There are many options for saving water and energy when it comes to your plumbing. Some things are as easy as swapping out your showerhead, while others require a bit more time and effort, such as insulating your pipes.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Plumbing

There are many great benefits to swapping out the fixtures in your home for eco-friendly options. The first is monetary savings. By switching to energy-efficient or water-saving options, you can save a significant amount on your bills.

Another benefit of switching to these eco-friendly options is the environmental impact. With water-saving appliances, you can use significantly less water, which means more water to go around. The average American family uses about 300 gallons of water per day. It is important we all play our part in conserving water. 

Low-Flow Toilets

A traditional toilet typically uses around 6 gallons of water per flush, while a low-flow toilet can use less than 2 gallons. This means you can save around 13,000 gallons of water per year for the average American household. The EPA states that if 1% of American households switch to low-flow toilets, the power saved would be enough to power 43,000 houses per month.

There are also dual-flush toilets, which provide a great in-between option. They offer two different water flow options: the traditional flush and the low-flow option. This can be a great choice if you are concerned about the lower amount of water used. The low flow option is typically reserved for just liquids, while the traditional flush option may be beneficial for solids. 

Tankless Water Heater

When you switch to a tankless water heater, the water savings are incredible. With traditional water heaters, we often have to let the faucet or shower run for a while to reach the desired temperature, resulting in a significant waste of water. A main feature of tankless water heaters is “on-demand” hot water.

If your household uses 41 (that is two twenty minute showers) gallons of hot water per day, you can see an increase in energy efficiency of about 24-34%. Other benefits of tankless water heaters include lower electricity bills, reduced maintenance needs, and a prolonged lifespan.

Faucets and Shower Heads

Swapping out faucets and shower heads is one of the easier changes you can make to start making your home more eco-friendly.

Touchless faucets conserve water by turning the water off when not activated. Other ways to make faucets more eco-friendly include opting for low-flow options and installing aerators. 

A low-flow shower head can save half a gallon of water per minute. While this may not seem like a lot, in a 20-minute shower, it saves 10 gallons of water. Every drop counts.

Pipes

There are a couple of ways in which pipes can contribute to eco-friendly living in your home. The first thing to consider is leaks. Leaks can waste more water than you may realize. When you notice a leak or wet spots on the ceiling or floor, it is important to have it looked at.

Another way to make your pipes more efficient is to insulate them. Insulated pipes hold heat better than uninsulated ones. This saves both water and electricity. It improves the efficiency of your water heater, reducing the time it takes to warm up water.

Other Appliances

In addition to making these switches, consider adding water-conserving appliances like dishwashers or washing machines. Like other eco-friendly options, these appliances will save on your water bills while still providing the same outcomes as traditional options.

Final Thoughts

When considering eco-friendly plumbing upgrades for your home, remember that you don’t have to do everything all at once. As appliances or fixtures need to be replaced, consider the more eco-friendly options. To make the switch even more eco-friendly, contact your local recycling center to see if they can take your old appliances or fixtures.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you want to upgrade to eco-friendly options. We will immediately handle any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning and drain clearing, and water damage problem, including excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines.