Being more conscious of our effect on the environment is becoming more important and prevalent in almost every aspect of our lives. From reducing our single-plastic use to using renewable energy sources, it seems everyone is taking steps to be more environmentally friendly.
Your plumbing isn’t excluded from this movement. There are plenty of ways you can create an eco-friendlier plumbing system and habits in your Pasadena home.
By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with six different ways to save money and help the environment simply through changes you can make with your plumbing.
Why Switch to Green Plumbing?
You probably hear phrases like “go green” and “reduce carbon footprint” a lot nowadays. But, what do they mean exactly?
To put it simply, it’s taking extra steps to leave less of an impact on the environment when we do everyday tasks—for example, using energy-efficient appliances in the household to do laundry or take a shower.
When you switch to green plumbing, not only will you be saving money on your water and energy bill each month, but you’ll be conserving fresh and clean water. It may feel like we have an endless supply of this water, but that just isn’t true.
Through water conservation, energy-efficient products, and eco-friendly materials, you can create a more sustainable plumbing system in your home.
How to Make Your Plumbing Eco-Friendly
When you decide to make your residential plumbing green, you’ll want to focus on three areas: bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. If you have a yard, you could create an irrigation system to collect rainwater for your plants, but we’re focusing on the things you can do indoors for now.
Whether you’re building a new home, remodeling a bathroom, or simply want to start making small changes, you’ll find that it’s easier than ever to install eco-friendly plumbing.
1. Choose Low-Flow Appliances
Every time you use your toilet, sink, or shower, you’re using a continuous flow of water. While many of us long a long, hot shower at the end of a hard day, you may not be aware of just how much water you’re using during those 15 minutes.
One way to be more conscious and conservative with your water use is to upgrade to low-flow appliances. The EPA estimates that you can save 13,000 gallons of water per year simply by installing a low-flow toilet. That’s an annual monetary savings of $140.
2. Tankless Water Heater
You likely have a large water heater sitting in your basement, right? While this appliance is incredibly convenient, it can also be wasteful when it comes to water and energy.
Instead of using a water heater with a tank, choose a tankless water heater. These will heat your water on-demand, which means only the water you’re using will be warm.
Just imagine the money you’ll save when you aren’t constantly heating water you may nor may not use.
3. Opt for a Heat Pump
Since we’re on the topic of water heaters, if you don’t want to use an on-demand, you can opt for a heat pump. This type of heater uses electricity to heat the water and can save two to three times on your energy costs.
The heat pump works best if kept in a warmer environment, such as a furnace room. While the installation and setup may seem expensive and intimidating, just think of how much you’ll save each year and your positive impact on the environment.
4. Upgrade Appliances
As we discussed earlier, older appliances tend to use excessive amounts of water. Even if you don’t want to switch to low-flow appliances, there are still other options for you.
If your washer, dishwasher, or water heater are more than ten years old, it’s time to upgrade them. With so many new advancements and environmental research in the last few years, newer appliances are considerably more eco-friendly.
With a quick replacement of everyday appliances, you can save plenty of water, energy, and money on your monthly utility bills.
5. Heat Water with Solar Power
Who knew there were so many different green ways to heat the water in your Pasadena home? If you don’t prefer a tankless heater or heat pump, there is another option for you. Now you can heat your water with solar power.
Not only will solar panels on your house save energy costs heating your water, but you’ll save on almost every aspect of your home that uses electricity. This renewable energy source is one of the best methods of going green in your household.
6. Look for Leaks
There are numerous reasons your plumbing could have a leak. When you have a leak, you’re wasting water and money each month. One of the most dangerous parts of having a leak is when you aren’t aware of it. This can lead to damage to your home and increased utility bills.
So, the best way to avoid this from happening is to search for and identify leaks routinely. Understand your pipes and where they’re located, keep your eye out for water stains on walls or ceilings, and check for running toilets throughout the house.
If you do find a leak, patch it up as quickly as possible. Better yet, get a professional plumber to take a look and find a solution that will take care of the problem once and for all.
Go Green with Chesapeake Plumbing Inc.
Plumbing requires a professional and special touch; otherwise, it can get messy pretty quickly. That’s why you need Chesapeake Plumbing Inc. for all of your plumbing needs in Pasadena, Maryland.
As the area’s leading plumbing service, we are dedicated to helping our customers fix their plumbing problems and upgrade to more eco-friendly plumping practices.
Are you ready to reduce your carbon footprint on this planet with some simple changes to your plumbing?
Then contact us today to see how we can not only help make your Pasadena plumbing system greener but also put more green in your wallet!