“In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” This is the Iroquois philosophy that inspired the Seventh Generation brand of products. Did you ever think that your plumbing decisions could make a positive impact? By conserving water and energy, your plumbing choices can make a difference. There are eco-friendly plumbing upgrades you can make that will pay off in the long run and have a positive impact.
Eco-friendly plumbing has dual benefits by making a positive environmental impact and providing you with long-term cost savings. Eco-friendly plumbing is a win-win for both you and the environment! In this article, we will discuss plumbing upgrades that reduce water usage, energy consumption, and utility bills.
Why Go Green with Plumbing?
There is a growing consumer interest in sustainability. As different parts of the world, including here in the U.S., have experienced environmental factors such as drought, it has become more apparent that, as consumers, we must do our part to help sustain our resources. We turn on the tap and water flows freely, but we seem to forget that water is a limited resource. So, anything we can do to help conserve water is beneficial for everyone.
Aside from the environmental reasons, another reason to go green with plumbing is the financial benefit to you. You will have lower utility bills. You may also receive rebates or tax credits depending on the steps you take and where you live. Saving money while helping the environment is a wise move.
Top 4 Eco-Friendly Plumbing Upgrades
#1 Low-Flow Toilets
Toilets use more water than any other appliance in your home. Even if your toilets are not particularly old, you might be surprised how much more water-efficient toilets have become. Installing low-flow toilets conserves water and saves you money on your monthly water bill. Older toilets can use as much as 7 gallons per flush. Low-flow toilets use 1.6 gallons or less per flush. A low-flow toilet will save thousands of gallons of water per year.
#2 Water-Efficient Faucets and Showerheads
A standard shower head uses 2.5 gallons of water per minute, but a showerhead that has earned the “WaterSense” label uses no more than 2 gallons per minute. That might not seem like a lot, but during a 10-minute shower, that saves 5 gallons. Multiply that by how many people are in your household. If anyone takes longer than a 10-minute shower or more than one shower per day, the saved gallons of water add up quickly! Here in Florida, it’s common to shower more than once a day, particularly in the summer. It’s hot and humid, so it doesn’t take much activity to warrant a second shower!
But don’t stop with your showerheads. While you’re shopping for your new showerheads, be sure to grab new faucets with the “WaterSense” label too. Instead of 2.2 gallons per minute of water used, they only use 1.5 gallons per minute! Again, you could save thousands of gallons of water per year and save on your water bill.
#3 Tankless Water Heaters
Sun Plumbing is proud to offer tankless water heater installations and repairs now. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand rather than storing water in a large tank. The water is heated as it flows through the unit when you turn on hot water anywhere in your house. This is an energy-saving plumbing choice. It also has the added benefit of never running out of hot water which is great for large families or those with frequent house guests.
Sun Plumbing also offers an on-demand tank water heater. We are discussing it here because it is essentially a hybrid of a tank and a tankless water heater. Water heaters are measured by FHR – First Hour Rating. FHR is how much hot water a water heater can supply in the first hour of operation. The Essency EXR on-demand water heater offers an 80-gallon FHR with a 55-gallon footprint. Click here to learn more about this innovative water heater.
#4 Graywater Recycling
Graywater is the term used to define water that has not come in contact with sewage. In some places, kitchen sink water is also excluded from being considered graywater. There are graywater recycling systems available for installation, but you can also recycle graywater in simple ways in your home to conserve water. Collect the graywater, such as water from the showerhead. You can treat it to remove contaminants. Then, it can be reused for things like watering your household or outdoor plants.
Additional Tips to Make Plumbing More Sustainable
We recommend insulating pipes to reduce heat loss and to protect them from temperature variations. We also recommend contacting us for an annual plumbing inspection. Regular maintenance can help prevent leaks which can lead to major plumbing issues and repairs. Plumbing leaks can result in major water loss, so regular maintenance is an important step for water conservation and eco-friendly plumbing.
Summary
There are multiple eco-friendly plumbing upgrades that pay off in the long run. Low-flow toilets and water-efficient faucets and showerheads can save thousands of gallons of water per year per household. Think of the impact that has on the limited water supply. It may sound crazy, but eco-friendly plumbing choices CAN make a difference! A tankless water heater or an on-demand water heater can save energy. Graywater recycling is a great way to take water that would normally go down the drain and put it to good use. Insulating pipes and having regular plumbing inspections done are additional ways to make plumbing more sustainable.
If you need a plumbing inspection or are interested in any of these eco-friendly suggestions, please give us a call at Sun Plumbing in Melbourne, FL. We can install new low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads for you, as well as a new tankless or on-demand water heater. Whatever your plumbing needs are, Sun Plumbing is here to help!
