Celebrate Earth Day With These Plumbing Tips
Although Earth Day is only once a year, there are many different ways that homeowners can continue celebrating Mother Earth every day of the year. One of the most efficient ways to conserve water and energy in the home is by maximizing the plumbing system. The speed of plumbing technology is such that new eco-friendly improvements are happening every couple of years.
From new pipe materials, new toilets, and better water heaters, homeowners have no lack of options for saving water and energy year-round. Read on to discover the best ways to make a home more eco-friendly.
Installing the Right Pipes
There are many different types of pipes available for use in homes today. But not all plumbing pipes are created equal. Some are ideal for certain situations. For example, PVC piping is cheap, easy to repair, and won’t rust over time. However, hot water can cause PVC to break down over time, so homeowners shouldn’t use it for transporting hot water.
On the other hand, PEX piping is also cheap, easy to install, easy to repair, and won’t rust either. Unlike PVC, PEX won’t degrade when transporting hot water. In fact, PEX can help maintain the water’s heat energy. The only issue with PEX is that it should avoid extremely high temperatures. This is why one shouldn’t connect PEX directly to the water heater. Instead, they should use a foot-and-a-half length of copper pipe, then PEX to the fixtures.
Eco-Friendly, Water-Saving Toilets
Many homeowners think that one toilet is just as good as another. While this used to be the case, it’s not anymore. Today’s toilets can save homeowners thousands of gallons of water every year.
Those homeowners looking for the most eco-friendly toilets should look for the EPA WaterSense sticker. These toilets use as little as 1.28 gallons per flush, less than the 3.5 gallons per flush used by older toilets. Plus, these newer toilets are designed not to clog, meaning homeowners don’t have to worry about their new water-saving toilet’s performance.
Efficient Water Heaters
Another great way to reduce a home’s carbon footprint is to use an energy-efficient water heater. There are plenty of options to choose from here. EnergyStar water heaters can save homeowners money on energy, but the most efficient ones are tankless water heaters.
Tankless heaters are ideal because they heat water very quickly as soon as it’s called for at one of the faucets in the home. Older water heaters use a storage tank and continually heat the water even when not in use. Tankless water heaters are a little more expensive in terms of up-front cost, but they can use between 10% and 30% less energy than older water heaters, depending on the household size and how much hot water gets used.
About Go Green Express Home Services
The professionals at Go Green Express Home Services have been serving Newburgh, NY, and the Hudson Valley since 1977. They provide free estimates from highly skilled technicians. They stand behind their work with guarantees and always provide eco-friendly services. Call now for water heater services!