Throughout the 21st century, the benefits of going green have become abundantly clear. You’re able to protect the environment, save money on energy costs, and lead healthier lives. Even if you’ve already upgraded your HVAC system and enhanced your home’s lighting, there are other areas you can address, the primary of which involves the plumbing system in your home. Sustainable plumbing can be implemented using eco-friendly plumbing solutions.
Benefits of Going Green
There are many reasons why you should go green and do your part to protect the environment. For example, adding a water filter to your faucet allows you to receive clean water without needing to buy water bottles, which only serves to add to the amount of plastic waste that accumulates in landfills. This approach will also help you save money by reducing the number of water bottles you purchase each week.
Maintaining a green lifestyle allows you to help your community by displaying environmentally friendly habits. Your neighbors may follow your example and start taking similar actions. Some additional benefits of going green include:
- Enhance the strength of your immune system
- Receive tax cuts with certain home appliance upgrades
- Increase your home’s value by upgrading your HVAC unit, roof, or water heater
- Save ample sums of money over time
- Do your part to reduce carbon emissions
Fix Leaks Quickly
If you’re looking to make your home more sustainable by adding eco-friendly plumbing solutions, you should first request inspection services for your plumbing system to identify if any leaks are present. It’s not always easy to notice when a leak occurs. If you don’t repair a leak quickly, it can lead to a considerable amount of water waste, which will show up on your monthly water bill. Once you’re certain that there aren’t any leaks in your plumbing system, you can start installing more eco-friendly appliances that will further reduce your water consumption.
Install Low-flow Plumbing Fixtures
Only a small percentage of the water found on earth is available to use in residential homes. Because of how scarce this resource is, it’s highly recommended that you take steps to avoid wasting water. The most effective method you can use to reduce your water consumption is to install low-flow toilets and showerheads. There are also several additional low-flow plumbing fixtures that might interest you. When you combine these fixtures and appliances, you should notice a sizable drop in the amount of water your household uses every month.
Consider High-Efficiency Faucets
You should also consider installing high-efficiency faucets, which are similar to low-flow showerheads and toilets. With the inclusion of aerators, these faucets use much less water in comparison to traditional ones. Aerators can mix water with air to produce a consistent stream of water. It’s possible to reduce your water consumption by as much as 30% with high-efficiency faucets. You can purchase these faucets in many assorted styles and designs, which ensures they can match your interior design.
Look Into Greywater Systems
Among the most energy-efficient plumbing solutions you can use in your home involve greywater systems. These systems are capable of reusing wastewater from washing machines, sinks, and showers. They’ll treat the wastewater to effectively remove impurities and make sure the water is safe enough to be used for non-potable reasons. Whether you need to flush toilets or water your plants, the water you get from a greywater system is all you need.
This solution is best for people who live in dry climates and are unable to use rainwater harvesting. Once it’s installed, the water that’s circulated through your home will be conserved instead of being sent to the sewer system. Along with reducing water waste, greywater systems also help you save money on utility bills.
Install an Energy-Efficient Water Heater
One sustainable solution available to you involves replacing your current water heater with an efficient one. Standard water heaters consume a large amount of energy when heating water. In comparison, energy-efficient water heaters can perform the same functions while using less energy.
While there are several types of efficient water heaters you can purchase, the unit that will waste the least amount of energy is a tankless water heater. These systems only heat water when you need it, which keeps energy waste to a minimum. When you install one of these systems, you might also become eligible for incentives and rebates. Between 2023-2032, you can claim up to 30% of the total project costs as a rebate.
Obtain Environmentally Friendly Pipes
It’s possible to install environmentally friendly pipes in your home, which should reduce the amount of non-recyclable and toxic materials that eventually get sent to landfills. The two eco-friendly solutions available to you include copper and stainless steel.
Around 50% of all U.S. copper is made from recycled scrap, which means that it can continue being recycled in the future. There’s also no need to use toxic adhesive to properly join copper pipes. The only issue with this material is that it can corrode if placed in saltwater. You can also opt for stainless steel pipes. This material is 100% recyclable and won’t corrode regardless of the conditions.
Consider Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is a type of plumbing solution that occurs when you collect rainwater that’s accumulated on your roof or other nearby surfaces. You can then use this water for non-potable reasons, which include everything from watering your garden to doing laundry. A rainwater harvesting system can be created by placing cisterns or storage tanks at the bottom of downspouts and gutters.
Any water you collect will be put through a filtration system to ensure most or all contaminants are removed before the water is sent into your home. You can use rainwater harvesting to lower your water consumption and make your plumbing system more environmentally friendly. You’ll also be doing your part to conserve local water supplies.
Upgrade to a Dual Plumbing System
One eco-friendly option available to you involves a dual plumbing system, which helps with water conservation. While one side of the system contains potable water for drinking, washing, and cooking, the other side repurposes the water to ensure you can continue using it in your home. This system is like a greywater system.
If you’re in the process of making your home more sustainable and environmentally friendly, our team at Level 9 Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing can assist you by providing you with installation services for any new eco-friendly plumbing solutions you’re considering. Whether you wish to install a low-flow showerhead or would like to replace your water heater, we’ll give you an estimate before the work starts to make sure you understand what the installation process is like.
We can inspect your home to determine if there are any leaks in your plumbing system. Our plumbing services extend to maintenance and repairs. We also offer a wide selection of heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality services. Call Level 9 Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing today to discover how our team can upgrade the plumbing system in your Washington, MO home.
