Making Eco-friendly Plumbing Choices at Home

Sustainability is becoming a bigger and bigger part of our lives in Indianapolis and across the country. You can find everything from electric vehicles on the road to heat pumps heating and cooling Indianapolis homes.

Why not add eco-friendly plumbing to that list? Newer plumbing often has features to help you use less water and power. Here’s how to take advantage of the latest tech.

The Benefits of Choosing Sustainable Plumbing

Sustainability has two significant upsides: saving money and reducing your environmental impact. Both tie back to more efficient use of water and using less power (for devices that rely on it) to perform the same tasks.

According to the EPA, a family of four uses about 400 gallons of water a year. That really adds up over time! The more low-flow and power-saving installations you choose, the more you can reduce that number. Not to mention the bill cuts that come with it.

A Guide to Eco-friendly Plumbing Fixtures and Installations

So, what options are available? Most eco-friendly plumbing fixtures focus on the efficient use of water, so fixtures that reduce water flow are the most common.

Consider installing efficient and sustainable choices like:

 

Even just repairing or replacing old or damaged pipes can improve your system’s efficiency. And there are eco-friendly clog solutions you can choose that are non-toxic and don’t harm the water supply or your pipes!

What Is Considered a Low-flow Showerhead?

Low-flow showerheads have a flow rate of up to 1.75 gallons per minute. In contrast, the average showerhead uses about 2.5 gallons of water every minute, or 30% more. With a low-flow showerhead, a 20-minute shower that typically uses about 50 gallons of water would drop to 35 gallons. Saving 15 gallons of water with every shower adds up quickly!

Are you worried about water pressure? Don’t be! Most water-saving showerheads maintain the water pressure you need for a hot, relaxing shower.

Are Water-saving Toilets Worth It?

Yes! Many water-saving toilets use less water in the bowl; older toilets may use over 3.5 gallons, while water-saving toilets use 1.5. With each flush, you’re saving money on your utility bill. You can even choose a toilet with a dual flush option: one for solid waste that uses 1.5 gallons and one for liquids that uses even less water.

How Much Energy Does a Tankless Water Heater Save?

Comparing tankless water heater efficiency to tanked efficiency depends on the model and age of your tanked heater. However, tankless water heaters save energy by not keeping a reserve of water that needs to be heated and reheated throughout the day. Though there’s a limit to how much hot water they can provide at one time, they offer almost endless hot water on demand and are also much less likely to leak.

You may still need a tanked heater if you have a large family or frequently use large amounts of hot water at one time. While more expensive than a standard electric or gas heater, a heat pump water heater uses far less energy than other tanked water heaters and now comes with substantial federal incentives.

How Much Water Does a High-Efficiency Washing Machine Use?

According to Consumer Reports, the most efficient washing machines are front-loaders, which can use as little as seven gallons of water per load. High-efficiency top-loading machines use about 13 gallons of water. In comparison, an inefficient top-loading agitator washing machine uses about 25-26 gallons.

How Does Insulating Your Pipes Help with Efficiency?

Pipe insulation can reduce heat loss by up to 80% as hot water travels through your pipes. That means you won’t have to run water as hot or as long to achieve the temperature you want. Plus, your water heater won’t have to heat a new batch of hot water as often, saving power!

What Clog-cleaning Solutions Are Eco-friendly?

DIY cleaners you can make in your kitchen are some of the most eco-friendly ways to clear a clog. Try enzymatic cleaners, an even mix of baking soda and cleaning vinegar, or even just boiling water. Chemical drain cleaners can damage your pipes, especially over time. If your clog persists, call a plumber to have it removed.

Call Us to Get Your Sustainable Fixtures in Place

Sustainable plumbing is easy on your wallet and easy on your mind. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Indianapolis, we’d be happy to help you choose and then professionally install your new sustainable plumbing fixtures. We’ll get your new low-flow, low-cost utility bill lifestyle up and running ASAP. Call us at (317) 316-3261 or book online today!