Your home’s plumbing fixtures can begin to look dated and show signs of wear over the years. And the time comes when an update is needed to ensure that you are not going to face maintenance nightmares and potentially costly leaks and water damage. But what you might not be thinking about is taking a step in a more environmentally conscious direction when you select new fixtures and appliances. Going green offers excellent benefits for the planet. You will also be rewarded with nice savings as well when you take advantage of the following upgrades.
Low-Flow Toilets
Most people are unaware of how much water a toilet uses to flush. If you are still using a model installed in the early 80s, it could be consuming up to seven gallons per flush, while ones from the 50s used eight or more gallons. Fortunately, more modern versions got that number down to between 1.5 and 2 gallons per flush. And the very best low-flow models use less than 1.25 gallons. The point is that you can save a significant amount of water per year without changing anything about your lifestyle. Even if you only reduce the water usage by .5 gallons per flush, and you flush five times per day, that is an annual savings of nearly a thousand gallons of water. And you are also saving the cost of that thousand gallons from your utility bill.
Other Water Conscious Fixtures
You might also be shocked to learn that your showerhead uses 2.5 gallons per minute. Making a change to a low-flow showerhead will drop that usage to 2 gallons a minute or less without altering the shower’s water pressure. An aerator introduces air into the water to maintain the water pressure you are accustomed to without wasting as much water. The EPA has calculated that the average U.S. family would save almost 3,000 gallons of water each year simply by converting to a low-flow showerhead. And again, this is great for the planet, conserves a limited natural resource, and leaves some extra cash in your pocket.
Also, consider replacing the faucet in your kitchen and the ones in your bathrooms. Kitchen faucets offer more water volume, topping out at around 2.2 gallons per minute. The faucets found in bathrooms and other household sinks are in the 1.2 to 1.5 gallon per minute range. But when you switch them out with low-flow models, the kitchen facets come in around one gallon per minute. And other faucets can be reduced to as low as .8 gallons per minute without decreasing the water pressure and functionality. Again, these changes will save water and money without detracting from the functionality of the water or your lifestyle.
Save On Hot Water
Who would not want to reduce their hot water cost by 30% or more and have access to an unlimited supply for long, luxurious showers? It might sound too good to be true, but with a tankless water heater, all of this can be yours. These units are exceptionally energy-efficient because they only heat water when there is a demand for it. So no water is wasted keeping a tank of water hot when no one needs it. And because there is no holding tank to wear out and the heating element more sparingly, these water heaters last twice as long as conventional models.
To learn more about updating your home with green-friendly fixtures and appliances, call (214) 388-4525. The team of licensed professionals at Metroplex Leak & Locate will explain your options and provide you with free, no-obligation price quotes for any plumbing upgrades.
