As homeowners, we’re all striving to improve the sustainability of our homes, but did you know that making your home more environmentally friendly could also help you save money every month?
If you’re looking to make changes in your home that benefit your wallet and Mother Nature simultaneously, consider upgrading to an environmentally-friendly plumbing system. Reducing your waste in this area is one of the most impactful changes you can make in your home.
Not sure how you can make your plumbing more environmentally friendly? We’ve got you covered. Read on to learn our five best tips on how to make your home’s plumbing more efficient and eco-friendly.
What are some environmentally-friendly plumbing options?
If you want to take steps toward sustainable living, it all begins in your home, and starting with your plumbing is a great idea. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average family of four in America uses over 300 gallons of water per day. Around 70 percent of that water is being used indoors, and the toilet alone is responsible for 24 percent. To ensure you’re using water as efficiently as possible, here are five tips to make your plumbing more environmentally friendly:
- Identify and repair water leaks: First and foremost, make sure you aren’t wasting water unnecessarily. While a small leak doesn’t seem like much of a problem, if left untreated, you could be wasting a huge amount of water. According to the EPA, leaks alone are responsible for 1 trillion gallons of water use in America every year.
- Insulate pipes: If you have to run water from your faucets for a minute or two before it’s warm enough to use, you’re wasting a lot of water. To help maximize the impact of your water heater, insulate your pipes. This prevents water from cooling dramatically when traveling from your hot water heater to your faucet, saving you money on water and electricity bills.
- Use low-flow faucets and showerheads: Low-flow or aerated faucets and showerheads are as effective as traditional models but use a fraction of the water to do the same job. For example, while a standard showerhead uses 13 gallons of water for a five-minute shower, a low-flow model uses only 10 gallons without reducing water pressure.
- Upgrade toilets: The average toilet uses around 3.5 gallons of water each time you flush. To reduce your water waste, upgrade to a high-efficiency or dual-flush toilet. High-efficiency toilets use half as much water as a standard toilet, and dual-flush models allow you to conserve water by only flushing fully when disposing of solid waste.
- Switch to eco-friendly water treatment products: Beyond conserving water, it’s important to ensure you’re not using harmful chemicals to treat your water. What you put in your water could eventually contaminate the groundwater, so make sure you choose eco-friendly products whenever possible.
Some of these jobs can be done on your own, but others require the help of a professional—and Alvarado Pumping Septic Service is here to do just that. Visit us online to learn about our services, and contact us today to schedule an appointment.