When it comes to smart living, many people wouldn’t think plumbing can change your day-to-day life for the better.
But those who have cracked the code and discovered the benefits of energy-efficient plumbing are now not only saving the planet, one gallon at a time, but are also doing it with a thick wallet.
No matter if you are remodeling your home, updating it, or simply building it from scratch, plumbing is something that should be on the top of your list. The sad truth is, an essential thing as plumbing rarely gets the attention that it deserves.
Distracted by the price and the installation time, most homeowners don’t realize there are better ways to utilize the plumbing system of their home. This is how they miss the chance of not only getting all the water running properly but also having their plumbing system save water and money while doing so.
Benefits of Energy Efficient Plumbing
Enter Energy Efficient Plumbing- a not-so-new technology that should have become a standard a long time ago. Simply put, this kind of plumbing system will make sure you are spending less water in your home while keeping your dishwasher, washing machine, and toilet running as usual.
If you want your home to have an energy-efficient plumbing system, you, along with your plumbing contractor should pay close attention to the materials, pipes, and plumbing fixtures that are going to be installed in your home. PVC pipes and glazing, for example, can help conserve energy and there are so many other high-efficiency fixtures that will lead you to your ultimate goal-saving money.
And this is where it gets even better. Having an energy-efficient plumbing system won’t just lower your water bill. When it comes to water heaters, using less water also means using less energy. This means that you are now targeting two utility bills at once and coming out on top. And let’s not forget how good this idea is for the environment. We call that a win-win situation.
Make Your Plumbing More Energy Efficient
1. Pipe Insulation
Pipe Insulation may very well be one of the best ways to not only save money on utility bills but also preserve your pipes. The benefits of pipe insulation are especially noticeable during the wintertime and summertime when the temperatures can go below freezing to scorching hot. Now, here’s what happens when your pipes are insulated properly.
During wintertime, there are chances your pipes will freeze if they are not insulated. Even if they don’t, cold pipes can affect the way your water heater works.
Heat always moves towards the cold areas, so when the hot water passes through your pipes, it will lose some part of the heat along the way. But not if your pipes are insulated to prevent this heat transfer. In that case, your water heater will work less and still give you enough hot water.
Hot water pipes should be insulated as equally as cold water pipes. During summertime, the high temperatures may heat up the cold water in your pipes, which can be a mild inconvenience.
More importantly, when hot air reaches the cold surface of the pipe it creates moisture, which in turn can corrode your pipes. This is how pipe insulation may end up saving your pipes completely.
2. Update your water heater
If your water heater is over a decade old, think about updating it or replacing it with a new model or technology.
Every 10 or so years, this technology improves and gives you better and more cost-efficient ways to heat up the water in your home. And there are so many good options- from heat pump heaters, gas water heaters, to solar-powered ones and the most popular type- the tankless water heater.
This one is probably the best option out of all as it heats up water on demand without the need for storing gallons of water. Talk to a professional plumber to learn more about the benefits and installation of the tankless water heater.
3. Update the plumbing fixtures
If you are not financially capable of installing a new water heater, spending money on new fixtures can also save you money in the long run. Make sure your faucets and showerheads are sediment-free to prevent water and heat waste. Also, think about installing a low-flush toilet that uses much less water to flush away the waste.
Some of them have a dual flush system that uses less water for flushing away liquid waste, and more water for flushing away solid waste. They may not save you a lot of money, but they will make your home environmentally friendly by wasting less water.
