One of the big issues with plumbing is that standard plumbing is not friendly to the environment, both in energy and water-use. Almost all standard plumbing fixtures use more water and energy than is needed. Homes all over Houston are finding ways to make their daily plumbing greener. Try these tips to make your plumbing more eco-friendly.
Insulate Your Pipes
Heating is one of the main ways that people use energy in their home. Though it does not get as cold in Houston as other locations in the United States, there are still plenty of days when homeowners want to blast heat throughout their house or commercial building. To save energy used for heating, insulate your pipes. A lot of heat will leave your home or building through your pipes. Insulating them will ensure that you do not lose large amounts of heat while water is flowing from your hot water heater.
Invest in a New Water Heater
Hot water heaters can become weak and worn after long periods of use, leading to malfunctioning equipment or leaks. These issues make them less energy-efficient. Consider installing a new hot water heater if you have not replaced yours in a long period of time. You can also buy a tankless water heater that will conserve energy used for heating, as well as save you money on your bill.
Install Fixtures to Reduce Water Flow
Currently, there is technology available for low-flow options for almost every plumbing fixture in your home. This is good for the environment and saves you money on your water bill every month. Low-flow shower heads and faucets can reduce the amount of water you use by up to 60%. If you do not want to install a new faucet, you can fit a faucet flow reducer on the end of your faucet. It limits the amount of water that comes out of your faucet at once by reducing the flow.
Depending on your home, standard toilets can use gallons upon gallons of water. Low-flow toilets will significantly reduce the water your home wastes with standard toilets. There are also dishwashers and washing machines available that are designed to use less water.
Sources:
https://www.improvenet.com/a/green-plumbing-tips
https://www.ecoplumbers.com/Blog/2015/April/5-Ways-to-Make-Your-Plumbing-Eco-Friendly.aspx