Plumbing Fixtures Are Important for Water and Energy Conservation
April is Earth Month, and it is a good time to be reminded of ways to help save water and take care of the planet. There are ways to save money and be greener. This article will discuss how to modify a home's plumbing to make it more ecologically friendly and save money on energy and water.
Water Saving Plumbing Fixtures
There are many options nowadays for water conservation. It does work to lower water bills. There is a story of a high rise in Detroit that replaced all the fixtures in the building and cut the water bill in half. A few of the available options are:
- Water Saving Toilets: Older toilets use as much as 5 gallons of water per flush. Modern toilets are required to use less than 2 gallons. Dual flush toilets are a good choice because they have a half flush and a full flush controlled by a set of buttons directly on top of the water tank.
- Low Flow Shower Heads: This type of shower head reduces water compared to other shower heads. They are made to keep water pressure close to the same, so there is no significant trade-off. Rain shower heads flow slowly and make a lovely centerpiece for a master bath.
- Touchless Faucets: These have been around for a while, but they are shown to save water due to the ease of turning them on and off. Touchless bathroom faucets tend to turn on with a swipe and have a quick auto turn-off. Touchless kitchen faucets tend to use movement to turn on and off.
Energy Efficient Appliances
Certain appliances do double duty for conservation: they save energy and water. Sometimes these appliances cost more upfront but will pay for themselves throughout their lifespan. Homeowners should look into energy star-rated appliances (rated for high energy efficiency) when one needs to be replaced. Three of the appliances that every household needs include the dishwasher, the washing machine, and the water heater.
- Tankless water heaters save energy because they don't heat the water until needed
- Tankless water heaters conserve water because they do not need to fill and heat a huge tank
- High-efficiency washers use less water than other models
- Dishwashers can be energy star rated and conserve water depending on the setting used
- Using the air dry instead of the heat dry can also save energy
Energy saving means money saving.
Even Pipes Make a Difference
There are many different kinds of pipes nowadays. While some homes have older cast iron pipes or expensive and long-lasting copper pipes, most have PVC or PEX piping. Different pipes have different levels of efficiency; certain pipes should be used for hot water and some should not. When a homeowner wants a better, more efficient home, these are things to consider.
About Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing serves Northfield, MN, and the surrounding areas with fast, friendly plumbing services. They will pay their customers $5.00 for each late minute (up to $300). Call now for fast plumbing service with a 2-year guarantee.
