Earth Day, an annual event held worldwide to raise awareness of the importance of adopting environmentally friendly behaviors, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. What started in 1970 with 20 million Americans has since grown in both size and action.
There are many ways to go green and reduce your carbon footprint on the world. We’ll cover some of the improvements you can make to your own home plumbing system that are not only eco-friendly, but can also reduce the cost of your monthly expenses.
Install Low-Flow Showers and Faucets
Installing low-flow shower heads and faucets are cost efficient improvements that will pay for themselves in savings on your energy bills. While many families may be hesitant to make the switch due to the misconception that the water pressure is exceptionally low, that is not the case. The water efficient fixtures utilize air to reduce water use without decreasing the water pressure.
It is estimated that installing low-flow showers and faucets in your home can decrease home water consumption by 40 percent and save on monthly water bills. Make the easy switch today!
Repair Minor Leaks
While a minor leak may not seem like an urgent fix, it can have serious consequences. According to WaterSense, the average household’s leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, and together more than 1 trillion gallons annually nationwide.
Even if your shower only leaks 10 drips per minute, that adds up to 500 gallons per year. Fixing your plumbing leaks not only saves you an average 10 percent of your water bill, but it also conserves nature’s valuable resource. Call us to detect the source of your leaks and repair them in your home or business.
Upgrade to a Dual-Flush Toilet
In the recent years, there have been many new developments and advancements to water efficient technologies in household fixtures. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), toilets are the biggest water drain in American households accounting for almost 30 percent of water use.
But there is a solution! Dual-flush toilets conserve water waste by giving you two options each time you flush. For liquid waste, the flush uses .8 gallons of water and for solid waste, a separate button uses 1.6 gallons of water. When choosing your next toilet, be sure to look for the WaterSense seal of approval!
Replace Your Old Water Heater
If you haven’t replaced your hot water heater in recent years, it may be time to upgrade to a new tankless option. Tankless water heaters heat up water on an as-needed basis, which uses less energy than traditional water heaters. Tankless water heaters not only save you money in the short term on energy bills, but also in the long term as they generally last 5-10 years longer than traditional heaters.
Go Green
While Earth Day is a great time to reflect on the globe’s needs and implement solutions for those problems, anytime during the year is the right time to address your household’s water usage and adopt more energy efficient behaviors. They may seem like small changes to you, but any step, regardless of size, is one in the right direction toward a healthier planet. Call us today to learn about more ways to make your home green and schedule an appointment.
