As we all work towards a more eco-conscious planet, one of the best places to start is by making our homes more eco-friendly. One particular system in your home that can benefit from eco-friendly upgrades is your plumbing system. We’re going to dive into some great updates you can do as your part of reducing your energy and water consumption throughout the year.
Low-Flow Fixtures
One of the easiest places to start is by upgrading some of your fixtures to low-flow fixtures. These fixtures include things like sinks and shower heads. These low-flow fixtures integrate aerators that help to mix air in with the water so that you can use less water while still enjoying the same amount of pressure.
High-Efficiency Toilet
Another great plumbing upgrade for your home is a high-efficiency toilet. If you’re still relying on a toilet that was made before 1994, it could be using five or more gallons every time you flush it. Modern-day standard efficiency toilets use about 1.6 gallons per flush. High-efficiency toilets take this a step further by using 1.28 gallons of water or less. Just upgrading the toilets in your home to high-efficiency ones can make a big difference in your annual water usage.
Tankless Water Heater
One particularly great upgrade that you don’t want to overlook is a tankless water heater. These have completely transformed the way that water can be heated in your home while optimizing energy efficiency. The EPA suggests that the average homeowner can save around 30% on their annual water heater bills by switching from a tank water heater to a tankless water heater. These do require regular filter cleanings every couple of months. However, their extremely efficient operation, along with their long lifespan and space-saving design, well make up for the added maintenance.
Gray Water Recycling
Gray water is water that comes out of your sinks and other appliances. For comparison purposes, blackwater is what comes out of your toilets. It’s important that there’s a distinct difference between the two because the gray water coming out of your sinks can easily be recycled for use with your lawn. Instead of using fresh water out of the outdoor faucet to irrigate your lawn, consider installing a gray water recycling system where you can just use wastewater from your home to irrigate your lawn.
Smart Leak Detection System
Smart technology can be a great investment when it comes to your plumbing system. One particular investment you should be making is in a leak detection system. This type of system uses smart sensors that we install underneath your sinks and other locations. The sensors can then detect when water is present. As soon as your faucet starts leaking, the detector will send a message to your smartphone so that you can repair the problem. You can even take it a step further and install smart valves that will automatically shut off the water supply to that area of your home to prevent extensive water damage from happening.
Insulation
If you’re very budget-conscious but want to do your part in living a more eco-friendly life, one simple plumbing upgrade you can make is to add insulation. Insulation acts as a barrier between two different temperatures. Adding insulation to your water pipes can help them better maintain the water’s temperature without being affected by the surrounding air.
While most people are familiar with insulating their cold water pipes to protect them from freezing, you should also be insulating your hot water pipes to help keep more heat inside. Additionally, adding an insulation jacket to your water heater can be a great way to help make it more efficient.
ENERGY STAR Appliances
One of the more obvious upgrades that you can make to help reduce your energy and water consumption throughout the year is to invest in appliances with an ENERGY STAR rating. These appliances are specifically designed to use minimal water while still providing great results. Consider upgrading items like your refrigerator, dishwasher, and even your clothes washer.
Rainwater Harvesting
If you have a garden at your home, you’re going to need to use water in order to keep it properly nourished throughout the season. One great alternative to using water from your home is to simply harvest rainwater. This free source of water is very plentiful during most of the season and can allow you to save a bundle on watering costs for your garden throughout the year. Most rainwater harvesting systems are as easy as putting a rain barrel underneath your existing downspout.
Hot Water Recirculation System
Many of us are familiar with turning on the hot side of our faucet only to have cold water for about 20 or 30 seconds. This typically happens first thing in the morning after the hot water that’s sitting in all the piping between your water heater and the faucet starts to chill off over the overnight hours. One of the best ways to prevent this problem from happening is to invest in a hot water recirculation system.
Just as the name suggests, this type of system will continue to circulate hot water between your water heater and your water supply lines to help keep it warm whenever you need it. Just imagine how much water you can save if your hot faucet always runs hot from the second you turn it on.
Touchless Faucets
Another cool upgrade that you could consider for your home to make it more eco-friendly is touchless faucets. These add a modern touch to your home while helping you conserve a lot of water. These specialized faucets have a built-in motion sensor that detects when your hands are underneath the faucet. As soon as you move your hands away, the faucet will automatically turn off the water. This works to significantly reduce water waste during activities like brushing your teeth. Touchless faucets can even provide you with greater hygiene throughout your home.
Smart Irrigation System
A smart irrigation system is a great way to help conserve the amount of water that you use on your garden and lawn. These systems have integrated soil moisture sensors to determine the right amount of water that your lawn or garden needs. This helps to ensure that your lawn and garden get the water they must have to thrive without wasting any excess water.
Even better, these smart irrigation systems have leak detection sensors that will shut off the water supply to different irrigation devices if they sense there’s a leak. This will prevent a large waste of water and send a message directly to your smartphone so that you can promptly address the problem.
Helpful Plumbing Installation Service
Service All-Stars offers expert plumbing installation services for the entire Bellflower, CA area. We can also help with all your plumbing repair and maintenance needs. Simply call us today to book your next installation appointment with one of our highly experienced plumbing professionals. We have been screened and approved by HomeAdvisor. Plus, we’ll always be there for you when you have a plumbing emergency.
