An energy-efficient home is better for the environment and will save you money. Many aspects of a home affect its efficiency. Air conditioners are the top contributor to the average U.S. household's carbon footprint, but there's more to it than that. Your home's plumbing system is also a big contributor.

Boilers

Many homeowners in colder climates heat their homes with boilers. In these households, the boiler is the second-largest energy consumer, behind only the air conditioner, if applicable. Modern hydronic heating systems are highly efficient and have the added benefit of having no impact on indoor air quality. Traditional systems distribute heat via wall or baseboard radiators. Radiant floor panels are a modern option that's becoming increasingly popular. While there are electrical boilers, they're uncommon in the Northeast due to the operating costs. Most homes have a gas boiler that burns natural gas or liquid propane or an oil boiler that burns heating oil. The industry measures the efficiency of these systems with annual fuel utilization efficiency. AFUE measures the effectiveness of fuel use. In other words, the higher the rating, the more fuel the system successfully converts into heat.

Hot Water Boilers

Hot water boilers are the most common option for new hydronic heating installations. They are the safest, most energy-efficient, and provide finer temperature control. Gas-fired hot water boilers generally have an AFUE above 82, while oil-fired hot water boilers typically have an AFUE above 84.

Steam Boilers

New steam boilers are most popular for older homes that already have steam systems in place. AFUE ratings for gas-fired steam boilers are generally above 84. For oil-fired steam boilers, they're usually above 82.

Condensing boilers

Traditional fuel-burning boilers lose heat through the process of venting toxic gases. Condensing boilers have additional equipment that lets them extract heat from the exhaust before venting. This allows for AFUE ratings of 90 and up. The industry also refers to these as high-efficiency boilers. The U.S. EPA typically reserves ENERGY STAR certification among boilers for condensing systems.

Water Heaters

The U.S. DOE estimates that water heating accounts for nearly 20% of the average household's annual energy consumption. A water heater is usually the top plumbing-related energy consumer in homes without a boiler. As with boilers, there are condensing units that deliver better efficiency than their conventional fuel-burning counterparts.

Tank Water Heaters

Storage-based water heaters are the traditional choice for U.S. homes. An inherent downside to this approach is that the system has to use energy to keep the water heated. While there are electric water heaters, most Northeast homes have fuel-burning systems. The industry uses the uniform energy factor to rate water heater efficiency. The higher the UEF, the less electricity or fuel the system consumes

Heat Pump Water Heaters

A heat pump water heater is a type of electric tank water heater that's very affordable to run. It even outperforms fuel-burning tanks and tankless systems in terms of efficiency. This is because it transfers heat via a heat pump rather than producing it. A downside to heat pump water heaters is that they can be slow to recover. Hybrid heat pump water heaters are an alternative that overcomes this problem. They have an auxiliary heating element that the system uses during periods of high demand.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters don't store hot water but instead provide it on demand, making them inherently more efficient than traditional tank water heaters. They're not more efficient than heat pump tank water heaters, but they have the advantage of providing a practically limitless hot water supply.

Insulation

A plumbing system can lose energy when the heat in water transfers through pipe walls to the ambient air. It's important to have adequate insulation on all hot water pipes running from boilers, water heaters, and other appliances. In some homes, you may need that insulation along the pipes all the way to the fixtures. Fuel-burning boilers and water heaters don't generally need any further insulation beyond that. That's because any additional heat loss that occurs will happen through the exhaust. This is not the case with electric boilers and water heaters. Those systems can experience heat loss through the tank walls. If that occurs, solutions include a tank jacket and insulated base.

Hard Water

Water softness and hardness refer to the amount of minerals in the water. High levels of calcium, in particular, are problematic for plumbing systems. In boilers and water heaters, calcium builds up in the tank and on components, decreasing energy efficiency and shortening the life of those components.

Anti-Scale Devices

An anti-scale device is a local device that serves one system, such as a boiler or water heater. They're a cost-effective choice in homes that don't have broader hard water concerns. These devices chemically change the calcium so that it can't form into scale.

Whole-House Water Softeners

If you have broader hard water concerns, a whole-house water softener is better. These point-of-entry systems remove calcium before the water enters your home's plumbing, protecting your pipes, fixtures, and all water-using appliances.

Appliances

Most modern homes have dishwashers and washing machines. Anti-scale measures can significantly affect how much electricity these units consume and how long they last. When purchasing new units, look for the ENERGY STAR label. This label will give you confidence in the unit's energy efficiency and may also make you eligible for a rebate.

Kitchen and Bathroom Fixtures

Your kitchen and bathroom fixtures can impact energy efficiency and water consumption. When considering water consumption, look for the WaterSense label. WaterSense is an EPA program similar to ENERGY STAR but focused on water conservation.

Toilets

Federal regulations limit modern toilets to 1.6 gallons per flush, which is still a considerable use of water over time. WaterSense toilets use no more than 1.28 gallons per flush.

Showerheads

A standard showerhead uses 2.5 gallons per minute, while a WaterSense head uses 2.0 gpm or less. Modern low-flow heads achieve this without a notable loss of water pressure.

Garbage Disposals

A garbage disposal can use significant electricity, but you typically only run it for brief periods. They can also use substantial amounts of water, so limit your usage.

Faucets

WaterSense faucets use a maximum of 1.5 gpm. That can lower your faucet-related water usage by up to 20%. There are also touchless faucets that can lower usage even more.

Improve the Efficiency of Your Home Plumbing in Ocean County

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® is an award-winning company serving homeowners and businesses in Beachwood and the surrounding areas. Our licensed plumbers specialize in residential and commercial plumbing! Our repair team is available 24/7 for emergencies. Call us anytime at (732) 226-7927 to schedule a plumbing service or consultation!