13 Ways To Go Green With Your Homeā€™s Plumbing System

By: John Garcia | Date Posted: December 23, 2021

Go Green With Your Homeā€™s Plumbing System

The condition of your homeā€™s plumbing dramatically affects the health and comfort of you and your family. Increasing your homeā€™s sustainability also reduces negative environmental impacts and saves you money. There are many ways to go green with your homeā€™s plumbing. Here are some great ideas to get started and some of the benefits you will get from upgrading your home with more environmentally friendly options.

Maintain Your Water Appliances

Taking care of your plumbing system and appliances keeps your system running efficiently for a long time. Preventative maintenance helps avoid costly repairs or replacement costs down the road.

Broken-down appliances consume more energy and water to handle the required tasks. Ensure you follow the recommended maintenance schedule and address repair issues quickly.

Your washing machine, dishwasher, hot and cold shower, and hot pool must be regularly maintained to ensure theyā€™re in good working condition and donā€™t have any leaks. When these appliances suffer from damage, you wonā€™t only have a huge spike in your water bill, but your floor and carpet may suffer from water damage.

This could put a big dent in your finances, not to mention inconvenience your family and damage the integrity of your home. You can track the dates of appliance maintenance on your phone so never forget this.

Work with professionals such as Kellie Plumbing to keep the plumbing system working efficiently and limit the resources it consumes.

Use Green Energy Sources for Water Heating

Green energy sources for water heating include solar thermal, solar PV, and wind power. Solar thermal systems use the sunā€™s energy to heat water. Solar PV systems use sunlight to convert electricity into usable energy.

Wind power creates electricity to heat the water. Green energy reduces your reliance on fossil fuels and helps to conserve natural resources. It also means youā€™ll be spending less on energy. These installations are low maintenance and can drastically reduce your utility bills.

Insulate Your Pipes

Insulating your pipes can reduce the amount of energy needed to heat the water in your home. Pipe insulation is available in various materials, including fiberglass, foam and neoprene. Choose a material that is best suited for your climate and plumbing configuration.

If you should call for help, you can rely on experts in Olympia, WA Plumbing Services. They have the tools and expertise you need to protect your pipes and make them last for a long time.

Repair Leaks and Drips

Leaks and drips can waste a lot of water and energy. A small leak can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. Be sure to repair leaks and drips as soon as you notice them. EPA estimates 10,000 gallons of home water is wasted every year from leaks. Doing your part to reduce water waste also protects this limited natural resource. To avoid leaks, replace old, worn-out faucets and plumbing fixtures as soon as you notice them.

If you canā€™t plug them immediately, shutting off the main valve to conserve water would be best. Remember, every drop counts. Show family members where they can find the shut-off valve so everyone can help conserve your water supply in case of leaks.

Install Low-Flow Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures reduce the amount of water flowing through your plumbing system. Installing the fixtures reduces water usage and saves you money on monthly utilities. Use low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, toilets, and clothes washers to minimize water usage.

Utilize Your Existing Plumbing System

Utilizing your existing plumbing system can reduce installation and maintenance costs. Solar water heaters use your current hot water delivery system to circulate cold water through the panels of a solar thermal heating array. This system requires no special venting, which reduces installation and maintenance costs.

Buy Energy Star Appliances

Energy Star appliances are more energy-efficient than conventional appliances, which can reduce your monthly utility bills. This is especially true for refrigerators, water heaters, ovens, dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers. These devices use the most energy in your home, so making the switch to Energy Star appliances can have a significant impact on your monthly utility costs.

Recycle Water

Using gray or recycling water is a great way to conserve this valuable resource. You can recycle water to use in your garden and landscape or flush your toilets. Recycled water is also a great way to reduce your monthly utility costs.

Every small drop of water you save is a win for sustainability. You can save the pasta water for your plants, or collect the water you use to wash the veggies for cleaning the sink. These actions seem small but contribute a lot in the long run.

Install a Rain Barrel

Install a Rain Barrel

A rain barrel is a great way to collect and store rainwater for later use. You can use collected rainwater to water your plants or garden, wash your car, or even flush your toilets. Talk to an expert on rainwater harvesting to find out the best way to collect and store rainwater for your home.

Opt for Environmentally Friendly Water Treatment Products

Environmentally friendly water treatment products reduce chemicals released into your homeā€™s plumbing system. You can treat your water with various products, including ultrafiltration membranes, activated carbon filters, and reverse osmosis systems.

Adopt Conscious Grooming Practices

Conscious grooming includes turning off the water while you brush your teeth, taking shorter showers, and turning off the faucet while you shampoo or lather. You can also opt for a water-efficient dishwasher rather than washing your dishes by hand.

Upgrade Toilets

Toilets use the most water of any fixture in your home. Replacing an older, less efficient toilet with a newer, high-efficiency model can reduce your water usage and save you money on monthly utilities.

Install Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, eliminating the need to store hot water in a tank. This can save you money on your monthly energy bills and reduce the amount of water used by your plumbing system. Tankless water heaters are available in both gas and electric models.

Benefits of a Green Plumbing System

A green plumbing system has many benefits, including:

Reduced Water Usage

Low-flow fixtures and recycled water can help reduce your homeā€™s water usage. Consequently, this can save you money on monthly utilities and help conserve this valuable resource.

Reduced Energy Usage

Heating water is one of the most energy-intensive tasks in your home. A green plumbing system can reduce the amount of energy needed to heat water, saving you money on your monthly energy bills.

Reduced Chemical Usage

Environmentally friendly water treatment products can reduce chemicals released into your homeā€™s plumbing system. This can be beneficial for your health and the environment.

Reduced Maintenance Costs

Upgrading to low-flow fixtures, using your existing plumbing system, and installing a rain barrel can reduce your maintenance costs. You wonā€™t have to replace fixtures as often, and youā€™ll be able to save water to reuse in your garden.

Reduced water flow minimizes appliance overwork and overheating, helping appliances last longer. High water pressures are the number one cause of appliance failures.

Protects the Environment

Reducing water usage and avoiding harmful chemicals can help protect the environment. Youā€™ll be doing your part in promoting a sustainable future for all. It also means water will be enough for future generations.

You May Benefit from Tax Breaks

You may qualify for a tax credit when investing in a water-saving plumbing fixture in some states. Contact your stateā€™s revenue department to learn more about the tax breaks available.

Choose Sustainable Practises for a Better Future

When you switch to a green plumbing system, you commit to conserving this valuable resource and protecting the planet. Youā€™ll also be encouraging those dedicated to promoting sustainability to continue with the effort. Those around you will also do the same, creating a better world for everyone.

Thank you for reading!

John
Ā 

John is the founder and chief editor of Homienjoy. With over 15 years of experience in the home improvement industry, John is passionate about helping homeowners confidently tackle their projects. Holding a civil engineering degree and working as a contractor, project manager, and consultant, John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Homienjoy community.

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 0 comments