How Any Homeowner Can Make Their Plumbing More Eco-Friendly
April is the month people celebrate Earth Day. A fitting way to celebrate is through energy and water conservation, reducing, reusing, and recycling, and leaving no carbon footprint. All of these various tasks can be overwhelming, but there are simple ways that cut down a home’s use of water and energy that homeowners can feel good about while being stylish and up-to-date with trends.
Appliances that Conserve Water
Many new appliances can cut down on water usage. Toilets are the perfect example of this. Toilet tanks from 30 years ago often used more than 3 gallons of water to flush. Nowadays, the EPA puts restrictions on the amount a tank can use at no more than 1.6 gallons, but there are “water-saving” toilets that use even less than this. Smart washing machines save water by measuring the amount of clothing in the wash before deciding how much water to use.Even touch-activated sink faucets help turn the water on and off more quickly. Since toilets and showers are perhaps the fixtures in the house that use the most water daily, here are a few different types that help conserve water.
- Dual-Flush Toilets: These toilets have a half flush (.8 gallons) and a full flush (1.6 gallons), depending on which button is pushed on the top of the tank. These are excellent ways to conserve water.
- Pressure-Assisted Toilets: These toilets conserve water by only using water pressure to help the flush complete its cycle.
- Gravity-Assisted Toilets: Technically, all toilets are gravity-assisted, but some are specifically designed for a better flush using the earth’s natural downward pull.
- Low Flow Shower Heads: These showerheads are specially designed to reduce water usage.
Water Heaters and Lower Energy Use
Water heaters are an appliance that can conserve water and energy since there are many energy-efficient water heaters to choose from in the market now. Homeowners can choose a smaller tank size to help conserve energy or choose the ultimate efficiency step, the “tankless” or instant water heater.
Tankless water heaters provide a nearly endless supply of hot water. They do not use energy when no one is using hot water because they do not have to maintain tens of gallons of water at a certain temperature.
Types of Pipes: Which is the Most Efficient?
If a homeowner has ever set foot in the plumbing section of the local hardware store, they will be aware that pipes can be made from many different materials. Traditional materials like copper, cast iron, and PVC are still in use, but newer materials such as CPVC and PEX are also available.
Some work better indoors or with cold water, while others are more flexible and can be used outdoors and with hot water too. Here are a few highlights:
- Copper is one of the most versatile materials and works well under most circumstances. It is the most expensive choice.
- PVC is inexpensive, good for cold water, and handles pressure well for supply pipes. It is long-lasting because it does not corrode as metal does.
- PEX is a flexible tube that is easy to assemble and works well indoors and for hot water.
About Everest Plumbing
Everest Plumbing is a family-owned and operated company serving Greenville, SC, and the surrounding areas for over ten years. They offer straightforward pricing, no-interest financing, and memberships with many benefits like discounts and annual inspections. Call them today for plumbing services in Slater-Marietta, SC.
