The average American home uses more than 300 gallons of water every day. That’s roughly 1,510 bottles. Alarming, right?
You might think, ‘It’s just water, we have plenty of it’. But that’s not the case. While it’s true that 71% of the Earth is water, only about 1.2% is fit for consumption. Worse still, we might be running out of our reserves. About two-thirds of the world’s population is expected to face water shortages by 2025.
There’s no time like now to start conserving water. And the best way to do this is by investing in energy-efficient plumbing. It’s a great way to protect the environment and save money on utility bills!
A Quick Guide to Energy-Efficient Plumbing
How? We’re glad you asked. Let’s walk you through the basics of energy-efficient plumbing systems in this post.
A: The Benefits of Energy-Efficient Plumbing
Whether you’re remodeling, planning an extension, or building a new home, upgrading to an energy-efficient plumbing design can save you money in the long run. But that’s not all.
Here are some other advantages of energy-efficient plumbing.
1. Better for the Environment
Beyond the personal benefit of reduced utility bills, installing new plumbing fixtures carries several environmental upsides. New plumbing helps conserve water, which is especially vital to a drought-prone state like California.
Conservation saves energy- the energy required to filter and heat the water in your home. Additionally, it keeps more water in our ecosystems and tops up wetland habitats for animals like herons, otters, and fish.
With several pressing environmental issues gaining momentum, it’s up to us to do our bit for the planet. And investing in energy-efficient plumbing is a great place to start.
2. Lower Utility Bills
If you’re tired of your utility bills increasing month-to-month, you need new water-saving plumbing fixtures stat. Energy-efficient plumbing designs reduce water and electric consumption, resulting in lower energy expenses.
But wait, there’s more! Old, leaky faucets and pipes waste a lot of water- which can hike up your water bill. Instead of fixing faulty plumbing, replace your system with brand-new energy-efficient plumbing systems. It’s a relatively long-term solution to a perpetual problem.
3. Improved Water Quality
Having a new, well-constructed, energy-efficient plumbing design means you won’t have to worry about corrosion for a long time. Most manufacturers craft new pipes to resist rust and damage for as long as possible. Furthermore, energy-efficient pipes are usually made from materials that won’t chip and fall into your water supply.
B: 3 Must-Have Energy-Efficient Plumbing Products
Ready to cut down on your water expenses? Now that you know the benefits of energy-efficient plumbing, look at these three highly recommended water-saving plumbing fixtures.
1. Tankless Water Heaters
Here’s an interesting tidbit: water heaters account for nearly 20% of energy usage in a home. Old-school water heaters warm 40-50 gallons of water throughout the day, consuming incredible amounts of power in the process. It’s wasteful and counterproductive.
The solution? Get a tankless water heater.
Tankless units heat water on demand, reducing wastage. They’re also smaller and run on less natural gas than their traditional counterparts. What’s not to love?
Although these water heaters are slightly more expensive, their energy-saving capabilities easily outweigh the upfront cost. So, don’t worry about shelling out those few extra dollars!
2. Low-Flow Showerheads and Toilets
Did you know showerheads waste nearly 40 gallons of water per day? That is unless you have a low-flow variety.
Low-flow showerheads perform just as well as traditional fixtures but consume much less water. The standard for low-flow heads is set at 2.5 gallons per minute, a stark contrast to the 5–8-gallon average delivered by old showerheads. The decrease in water outflow also means you’ll use less energy to heat it up!
The same goes for low-flow toilets. A new standard toilet wastes about 1.6 gallons of water per flush, while a low flow uses as little as 1.3 gallons.
3. Faucet Aerators
Faucet aerators are small water-saving devices attached to the end of a tap or inside an existing faucet. Their purpose is to control your water flow without affecting pressure. The aerator acts as a sieve, splitting a single stream of water to add air. This also reduces the space for the water to flow through, which lowers consumption.
C: Water-Saving Habits You Should Know About
Let’s face it, we can’t understate the significance of water. With the planet on the brink of a colossal water crisis, it pays to develop a few easy water-saving habits. Here’s what you can do.
- Fix leaks promptly
- Take baths instead of showers
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth
- Use your dishwasher and washing machine for full loads only
- Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge
- Don’t let the water run when you’re washing dishes
- Deep-soak your lawn
- Use a broom instead of a water hose to clean your driveway, sidewalks, and steps
- Don’t water the gutter
D. Why Regular Plumbing Maintenance is Important
Many homeowners have a break-fix approach to their plumbing systems. After all, as long as everything works as it should, you’re fine, right?
Wrong!
If you wait for your plumbing to malfunction before checking on it, you’re paving the way for bigger disasters. Regular plumbing maintenance can make your life much easier and save you some gnarly repairs down the line.
Here’s why you should stay on top of your plumbing maintenance duties.
1. Better Water Pressure
You only learn the worth of good water pressure once you’ve lost it. Imagine trying to take a relaxing shower after work, only to find there’s barely any water coming out of your showerhead. Regular plumbing maintenance can help maintain correct water pressure at all times.
2. Fewer Chances of Emergency Repairs
Plumbing emergencies are expensive and stressful. However, you can prevent a late-night accident by checking your energy-efficient plumbing periodically.
3. Healthy Family
Mold and mildew in your pipes can wreak havoc on your health. Protect your family from dangerous diseases with regular plumbing maintenance.
The Bottom Line
Energy-efficient plumbing is the future. Besides being cost-effective and environmentally friendly, new fixtures can fend off plumbing accidents and keep your bathroom/kitchen functional for a long time. Hopefully, this post has given you some insight into energy-efficient plumbing systems, their benefits, and why regular plumbing maintenance is non-negotiable.
Planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel? Hire OMG Kitchen & Bath to replace old pipes and faucets with new energy-efficient plumbing fixtures. We specialize in fixture/appliance updates, renovations, plumbing maintenance, and leak/flood/pipe problems. Our goal is to ensure your bathrooms and kitchens are safe and effective. For more information, give us a call today!