With the abundance of tips, tactics, products and methods that the average person can implement to help save our planet, it’s amazing that we are even experiencing our current environmental crisis. Within the plumbing category alone there are numerous water and energy saving options available, and when you think about how interwoven plumbing is within the core of your home, it seems like a good place to start your conservation efforts. It should also be noted that, with energy and water conservation comes financial savings as well. Here are our recommended plumbing changes that will help you make the biggest positive impact:
Detect and Fix Leaks:
It’s estimated that 10% of homes have water leaks, accounting for a trillion gallons of wasted water per year – or 1/6 of the U.S.’s clean water supply. Simple leak detection efforts, like observing your water meter to see if the numbers increase even when there’s no water in use or placing a blue dye tablet in the top of your toilet tank to see if any coloring leaks into the bowl, can easily let you know if you even have a leak before having to call a plumber.
Switch to low-flow fixtures and be mindful of how often those fixtures are put to use:
Did you have any idea that the average American uses 80-100 gallons of water per day?! This number could be significantly reduced by changing out old faucets, showerheads, and toilets to water-conserving, low-flow models. If you’re not ready to invest in upgrades just yet, or even if you have already, simple habits like turning off the water while brushing your teeth and keeping the faucet on low while washing and loading dishes are easy, free ways to reduce water usage.
Upgrade to Energy-Smart Appliances:
Dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters aren’t cheap, but when you think about the financial savings associated with the energy and water savings of these newer models, you might want to upgrade them before their time runs out anyway. The US Department of Energy’s website even has a handy calculator that can determine just how much savings you would accumulate by switching out older appliances for the newest models.
Conservation efforts are becoming a necessity that will only continue to increase over time. Please let us know if you have any questions about the recommendations we’ve listed above or need help implementing them in any way. Happy Earth Day!