3 Eco-Friendly Plumbing Tips
Just like how "green" can represent the environment, it can also represent money. This St. Patrick's Day, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow could just be some big plumbing savings. Luckily, going green and saving green usually go hand in hand. Here are some tips from local plumbers about eco-friendly plumbing practices that can save money over time.
Upgrade to Eco-Friendly Appliances and Plumbing Fixtures
It's easy to underestimate the amount of water used around the home. So much water usage comes from appliances that it's hard to get a feel for how much water is being used. When it comes to saving water and going green, a few sensible upgrades can drastically reduce water usage.
Upgrading various appliances and fixtures to more eco-friendly options can offer benefits like:
- Dishwashers that use up to 70% less water than conventional models. Affordable options can now do a full load of dishes with less than 4 gallons of water.
- High-efficiency washing machines use 15-30 gallons of water, about 70% of what a conventional or outdated washing machine will use.
- Low flow showerheads and faucet aerators can cut the average family's annual water usage by nearly 3000 gallons.
- Dual flush or low-flow toilets can cut wasted water from flushes in half.
- Energy-efficient water heaters can lower the carbon footprint of a home. For extra eco-points, install tankless water heaters.
Eco-Friendly Plumbing Habits
- Taking faster showers
- Shutting off the water flow while lathering up in the shower or at the sink
- Only do a load of dishes or laundry when a full load is ready
- Check for leaks periodically and fix them quickly
- Use pool covers to cut down on evaporation
- Fix irrigation leaks
- Water the lawn in the morning when the breeze is low
Don't Flush Non-Flushable Items
Not only is paying attention to what goes down the drain a good practice to protect sewer lines. It also happens to be an eco-friendly practice. One should never flush inorganic items such as wipes, feminine products, and plastic wrappers. Instead, discard them into garbage cans. A more helpful practice would be to find organic alternatives that will biodegrade over time.
When it comes to making the toilets and drains in a home more environmentally-friendly it's not just about what goes down the toilet that can cause problems. Inorganic additives in soaps have become more normal, and they are wreaking havoc on waterways.
Microplastic beads are common in exfoliating soap products. When the microbeads enter the waterways, they are ingested by marine life, and one can't digest them. The result is aquatic organisms dying because their digestive systems are too blocked to function.
About Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Need the advice to help reduce water usage or need leaks fixed? Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing today for fast service in Northfield, MN. Their friendly, qualified experts are always available, even for emergency plumbing services.
