Water and energy conservation are closely linked, If we are able to save considerable amounts of water used in our homes, we can contribute greatly to a greener planet. And one way to achieve this is to make plumbing more eco-friendly. Saving water in bathrooms doesn't mean you need to use low-pressure showerheads or toilets that don't flush properly. We can introduce equipment in our bathrooms that help to save water just like electrical fixtures that help to save energy, such as energy saving bulbs. And then there are tips to save water, e.g. to turn the tap off when you're not using water while washing hands or brushing your teeth.
Since our toilets consume a lot of water that is simply used for flushing, a little improvement in plumbing can help save big. From dual plumbing systems and low flow faucets to composting toilets and high efficiency boiler, there are many ways through which water conservation can be achieved at homes.
Here we are going to discuss 4 common and easy to achieve plumbing innovations that would make it more eco-friendly.
1. Energy saving pipesOne of the first plumbing steps to make the system more eco-friendly is to install energy saving pipes. If you don't want to replace the existing pipes, it is also possible to insulate the pipes yourself to reduce heat loss. This can be achieved by using foams or tapes that could be wrapped around the existing pipes. This type of configuration can considerably save on energy bills. Since hot water stays at the same temperature for a long time, less money is needed to heat water. Radiator reflector panels work in a similar manner. They are installed behind the radiators reflecting heat back into the room instead of allowing it to escape. This is a very efficient energy-saving technique related to plumbing.
2. Water Saving Toilets
Water saving toilets are also known as high-efficiency toilets, which have been designed to reduce water usage while flushing. A dual flushing system allows to choose between powerful flushing or standard flushing depending on the need. The main function of these toilets is to use velocity against volume. The systems increase the velocity of water to flush the toilet instead of using more water. Old toilets use 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush; whereas water-efficient toilets use only about 1.3 gallons per flush. Dual flush toilets are usually found in modern restaurants and hotels where you could see two options for flushing. If you press the smaller button, it is enough to flush away liquid waste. Dual flush toilets are available for homes and they are not very expensive either. They could prove to be a great investment towards a green friendly bathroom.
3. Water Saving Faucets and Showerheads
The pressure of water in faucets and showerheads affect their flow rate, which is measured in gallons per minute. If this pressure is high, more water comes out of the faucet or showerhead and vice versa. Low-flow showerheads are designed to keep this pressure constant but at the same time use less water. There are two methods to achieve this known as aerating and non-aerating respectively. They are also known as eco-friendly shower heads because they help to save a considerable amount of water while taking a shower. The same mechanism can be used to make faucets green friendly.
There is another gadget known as sprinkler controller that can greatly reduce water usage in bathrooms. A family could save up to 40 gallons a day if they used low-flow showerheads or sprinkler controller for their faucets.
4. Environmentally Friendly Hot Water Heaters
The cost of heating consumes almost 20 percent of your household budget, second only to what you spend on heating and cooling your home. Despite this expense, water heaters are typically ignored until they break, leaving you with no hot water and, possibly, a flooded basement.
Get an Efficient Water Heater
As water heaters age, they drastically start to lose efficiency because of leaks or failing equipment. New water heaters come in a variety of energy-efficient options. Tankless water heaters save space, and they work by rapidly heating the water as it passes through an exchanger. On average, they save homeowners around $80 annually, and are about 22% more efficient than regular water heaters. Due to evolving technology, even regular water heaters that are available on the market nowadays are more efficient than heaters that were sold just a few years ago.
Enjoy Hot Water on Demand
Hot water circulation pumps deliver heated water to plumbing fixtures in just a few seconds. They can be installed for use with either tankless or tank-based systems. You will no longer have to run the sink or shower for several minutes to wait for hot water, so you will significantly cut down on water usage. Additionally, hot water doesn’t sit in the pipes waiting to be used, so you can get maximum usage out of every drop of hot water. Homeowners save money and water when using recirculation pumps.
Conclusion
Eco-friendly plumbing solutions are today's need of the hour as they can greatly help to conserve water for a greener planet. In our homes, the water taken up by the toilets accounts for 30% of the total usage. As a first step, the homeowner could reduce water consumption in the toilet by installing high-efficiency toilets. In addition, solar and tankless water heaters as well as energy saving pipes and low flow showerheads are great and efficient ways to save water and make plumbing more eco-friendly. The above-mentioned three plumbing techniques are easy to implement and they don't cost a lot. These methods will not only reduce your water and energy bills but also make your equipment longer lasting.
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