There’s no doubt that plumbing plays a huge role in eco-friendly living. Conserving water, especially here in California, is just part of our day-to-day life.
But making environmentally friendly choices with your home’s plumbing isn’t only the responsible thing to do, but it also will save you some money. Our friendly Orcutt plumbers have come up with a list of eco-friendly plumbing choices to help get your home up to date environmentally and working as efficiently as possible.
Low-flow, High Efficiency
The average household can waste up to 180 gallons of water per week, which is both wasteful and inefficient, negatively impacting the local water supplies and our wallets. Installing water-efficient appliances and fixtures all throughout your home can decrease your water usage by up to 20%.
Start with low-flow toilets, which as the name implies, use less water each time you flush. A dual-flush model is a great option, designed to let you choose between two options for water consumption during flushing. The first option is for liquid waste which uses less water, and the second is for solid waste, which will require a bit more water.
Just like low-flow toilets, this option is available with shower heads and faucets, too.
About 20-25 percent of household water usage comes from showering, and low-flow showerheads can help decrease your water consumption by up to 40% of your usual water consumption.
Don’t forget about your faucets, either, where a significant amount of water is used. High-efficiency faucets an aerator that combines water and air to reduce water usage while keeping the pressure the same so you don’t notice much of a change while washing your hands or doing the dishes.
Do Your Part
Behavior plays a big role in conservation, and there are a number of small changes everyone can make to be more eco-friendly.
Shortening shower time can save a ton of water. Try turning off the water while applying shampoo or lathering up.
Also, being conscious of your grooming habits can save water. Don’t leave the tap on while you’re brushing your teeth, lathering up your hands, or shaving. The bottom line is don’t leave that tap running unless you’re using it.
And lastly, check your home’s faucets, pipes, and toilets for leaks. One simple leak can waste up to 20 gallons per day, or more.
Upgrade Your Water Heater
If your water heater was still around when you had dial-up internet and a tube TV, it’s high time for an upgrade. Old-school water heaters, which work to keep hot water in the tank 24/7, not only don’t work as well, but they’ll also lead to higher costs on your energy bill in the long run.
A tankless water heater is a smart investment for your home and the environment by reducing the amount of electricity used as it heats water on demand.
Limit Chemical Usage
The easiest way to dispatch a drain clog is with the use of harsh chemicals. But these substances found in products like Draino often end up damaging wildlife and our surrounding environments after use.
Use alternatives such as eco-friendly bacterial-based drain cleaners or natural home remedies. Here’s more on drain maintenance.
For more tips on eco-friendly plumbing tips or if you want our professional Orcutt plumbers to give your home a green upgrade, contact us online or simply by calling (805) 751-7206 .
