How to Make Your Plumbing System More Water-Efficient
We all want to be eco-friendly, but it’s not just about turning off the lights. The plumbing system plays an important role in reducing energy and water waste, too.
Leaky faucets and toilets are a major source of waste, but fixing these problems can make a big difference. The other big solution is upgrading to energy-efficient fixtures and appliances.
Invest in a Water Softener
A water softener works by removing hardness minerals from your home’s water supply. The system’s resin tank contains negatively charged beads that attract and hold the positively charged hardness minerals, swapping them for sodium or potassium ions to make your water soft.
The water softener can also help prevent scale buildup in your pipes, which can lead to reduced water flow and damage over time. Ultimately, this helps reduce your energy bills, saves you money on maintenance and repairs, and makes your appliances last longer.
Water softeners have minimal maintenance requirements, and most only need to be refilled with salt regularly. Combined with the financial benefits, health and environmental impact, the investment in a water softener is well worth it. Investing in one is a smart decision for any homeowner.
Replace Your Faucets
Faucets get a lot of use, and they can start to wear out and break down over time. When this happens, your water may taste or smell rusty or dirty. A professional plumber can inspect your plumbing to see what the problem is and repair or replace your faucets as needed.
New faucets can improve the look of your bathroom and can also make your home more energy efficient. Many modern fixtures have water-saving features, such as aerators, which can reduce your water consumption and help you save money on your utility bills.
Aside from reducing your environmental impact, making your plumbing more energy-efficient is beneficial because it can help you avoid costly repairs in the future. If your plumbing is worn out, a replacement can increase the value of your home and reduce your utility bills. This can help with water leaks and clogged or blocked drains. Professional Melbourne drain clearing by top rated plumbers at Fix-It Right Plumbing can help assist with any problems of blocked drains.
Install a Hot Water Recirculation System
A hot water recirculation pump pumps heated water from your water heater to your plumbing fixtures. When your taps run out of hot water, the system recirculates the water back to the heater so it can be reheated. This reduces energy use and water waste.
There are a variety of recirculation systems available, including full systems that connect to the water heater and fixtures, and under-sink systems that serve individual faucets or areas of the home. Some systems have timers or motion sensors that activate the system only when it is needed, maximizing efficiency and savings.
Making your home more eco-friendly doesn’t have to be a major project. These simple, affordable upgrades can save you money and water while reducing your environmental footprint. Your local plumbing experts can help you find the right energy-efficient solutions for your home.
Install a Greywater Recycling System
Greywater is wastewater from bathtubs, showers, and washing machines (but not kitchen sinks or urinals) that can be reused for gardening or irrigation. Because it has been treated to make it non-potable, this eco-friendly system can lower utility bills and help protect local water supplies.
You can use a simple laundry-to-garden system that diverts water from your washing machine into the garden via a hose, or opt for a more advanced pumping and filtration system. Whatever type of system you choose, it is important to consult a local plumber to ensure the greywater recycling system is properly sized and installed.
A properly sized and designed greywater system can reduce your water usage, save energy and money, and even contribute to local groundwater reserves. Contact a professional to learn more about installing a greywater recycling system in your home.
Replace Old Plumbing with PEX
Rather than replacing only the leaky parts of your old copper piping system, consider a whole-house repipe using PEX. This piping system is more water-efficient, durable and long-lasting than copper or galvanized steel.
It does not corrode, which copper and galvanized steel pipes are prone to do. Corroded pipes often leak, contaminating your home’s water supply with dangerous contaminants.
PEX is also more flexible than copper or galvanized steel pipe, allowing it to bend around obstacles without the need for additional fittings. This flexibility also reduces the risk of water hammering, which is a banging sound caused by sudden pressure changes and can be disruptive to your home’s quiet atmosphere. PEX is also more energy-efficient than metals, reducing overall consumption. Additionally, it uses less energy during production and has a lower environmental impact than traditional metal pipes.