Homeowners are becoming increasingly eco-friendly. This is not only a good thing for the environment but also your wallet. There are many ways to go green with your home, including with your plumbing.
Green plumbing specifically is the use of efficient systems in place of historically wasteful systems. This not only lowers your impact on the environment but also cuts down on water and energy usage. From drainage pipes to your water heater and toilets, there are plenty of ways to go green with plumbing.
Choosing the Right Pipes
Many pipes in the past were made from materials that were not good for the environment. Familiarize yourself with the different types of pipe material available so you can make the best decision for your home.
- PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipes are the most widely used pipes today because they’re cheap to make. They are made largely with raw petroleum-based chemicals, and most old discarded pipes end up in landfills. Although they can be recycled, the process is expensive. PVC pipe production also emits harmful chemicals into the environment.
- Metal pipes, such as those made from iron and copper, often contain high levels of recycled content and can also be easily recycled. They are stronger and more crack-resistant. However, they also tend to corrode faster, adding dangerous deposits to water.
- New polyethylene and polypropylene products are more eco-friendly and can also be easily recycled. They are, however, less widely available and have a smaller lifespan.
Update Your Bathrooms
Showering or bathing too usually where you waste a lot of water in your home. There are few updates you can make to be more environmentally friendly.
- Install Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures - Low-flow showerheads and faucets can cut your water usage and bills by as much as 50%.
- Install Low-Flush Toilets - Standard toilets can use as much as seven gallons of water per flush! Low-flow toilets use only 1.28 gallons.
Update Your Water Heater
Traditional water heaters rely upon a tank system and continuously heat water regardless of whether or not it's being used. Newer tankless water heaters create hot water on demand, reducing energy usage.
Another option is Heat Pump Water Heaters which use heat in the air and the ground to heat water. Since they only use electricity to move heat from the ground/air to the water, they use up to 60% less electricity than traditional water heaters.
Outdoor Plumbing
Outdoor plumbing is often overlooked and leads to water waste. Here are a few tips:
- Fix leaky faucets. The average household's leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year and ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.
- Place your sprinklers strategically so you don't waste water on your house, sidewalk, or street.
- Place cover over your pool to prevent evaporation.
- Water wisely. Water your lawn early morning or in the evening after the sun goes down. If you tend to your lawn in the middle of the day, that water may get lost due to evaporation from the summer heat.
A. Borrelli Mechanical Plumbing Services
With licensed, trained, and insured technicians in Westchester and Fairfield, homeowners can count on A. Borrelli to handle their heating, cooling, and plumbing needs expediently. At A. Borrelli, we do HVAC and plumbing right, so call us at (914) 301-7495 today!
