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How The Right Plumbing Service Can Improve Your Home’s Efficiency | Sugar Land, TX
The premise of efficiency for households is using less water and less energy. The less water and energy you use, the more you save on your utility bills and the less impact your livelihood has on the environment. The average US household wastes approximately 180 gallons of water a week, which translates to 9,400 gallons every year. Inefficient plumbing systems are the leading cause of water wastage leading to astronomical water bills. Fortunately, the right plumbing service can help improve your home’s efficiency so that you can spend less on utility bills.
Here are a couple of ways these plumbing companies can help you do just that.
Upgrading Your Water Heater
According to the Department of Energy, water heating accounts for about 20% of your home’s energy usage. Traditional water heaters with tanks are more inefficient compared to modern tankless models. That’s because they require a lot of energy to heat the water in the tank before distributing it around the home. In fact, tankless water heaters are 24% to 34% more efficient than their tanked counterparts.
A plumbing service will upgrade your tanked water to a tankless one. That way, you can improve your water heating efficiency and reduce energy spending. However, it’s worth noting that tankless water heaters may not meet the water demand for larger homes. In that case, the plumbing technician will suggest a more efficient model of your current system.
Improving Your Insulation
Pipe insulation does much more than prevent the water in your pipes from freezing. It also prevents hot water in the pipe from losing heat to the environment. This insulation reduces the number of water heating cycles since the water in the pipes retains its heat for longer.
A plumbing service will insulate your pipes as well as seal any leaky pipes. This not only improves efficiency but also reduces the amount of time you have to wait to get hot water in your fixtures.
Installing a Solar Water Heater
A solar water heater is the pinnacle of water heating efficiency. These water heaters use solar energy to heat the water in your home. You don’t have to spend on fuel or electricity to get hot water in your home.
A reputable plumbing service will install these efficient hot water systems in your home. They’re incredibly efficient, and thanks to technological advancements, these heaters are cheaper than ever. They’re also great for the environment but, unfortunately, require direct sunlight to function.
Installing Faucet Aerators
Modern indoor faucets have faucet aerators. These tiny faucet additions improve water flow by reducing splashing on the basin and encouraging a more productive water flow. These aerators also have mesh screens that trap grit and unwanted debris, giving you fresh, clean water.
In the past, aerators had a tendency to reduce water flow, which gave them a bad rap with many consumers. However, modern aerators have addressed this problem by adding laminar stream straighteners. That way, homeowners can enjoy the benefits of aerators without the compromised water flow.
Installing Low-Flush Toilets
As the name implies, low-flush toilets are toilets designed to use considerably less water to flush than traditional ones. These toilets use a special cistern and cistern that facilitates the removal of waste and bacteria with less water. A plumbing service will help you pick out ideal low-flush toilets for your home and install them.
However, it’s worth noting that not all low-flush toilets work seamlessly. Some might require double-flushing to get rid of waste. The plumbing technician should recommend the best models to settle for.
Aside from low-flush toilets, a plumbing service can install dual-flush conversion toilets for your home. These toilets have two buttons for flushing, one for low-power flushes that don’t require a lot of water and the other for high-power flushes. This significantly reduces the amount of water your toilet uses.
Installing Low-Flow Shower Heads
The flow of a showerhead is the number of gallons of water that flows through a showerhead every minute. Typically, the more the water pressure, the greater the showerhead flow. Low-flow shower heads maintain the water pressure but reduce the volume of water passing through the shower head. That way, you use less water while showering and may not notice any difference.
Their showerhead aerators mix air into the water. This air compensates for the lost water volume while helping the shower maintain the same pressure. Some contain pulses that help keep the stream steady while using less water and maintaining the normal water pressure.
Collecting Grey Water for Reuse
Grey water is domestic wastewater from your bathroom, sinks, dishwasher, and washing machine. This gray water doesn’t have to go directly to the sewer. A plumbing service will install a gray water collection kit to collect all the gray water from your daily activities.
You can then use this gray water to water your garden and outdoor plants instead of using water from your faucets. This is a great way to reduce water use and live more efficiently and sustainably.
Replacing Your Plumbing Lines with PEX
PEX is a type of cross-linked polyethylene that’s an excellent alternative to conventional copper and PVC pipes. This type of flexible piping is more durable than conventional piping and doesn’t damage water freezes inside them. It’s also a bad heat conductor, reducing heat loss in your pipes.
Hire a plumbing service to replace your plumbing lines with PEX. That way, you can reduce heat loss in your pipes and sidestep extensive pipe damage during the winter.
Make Your Home More Efficient Today
The right plumbing service can help your home reach its full water and energy efficiency potential. Hire professionals to experience the benefits of water and energy-saving plumbing systems and fixtures. Doing so is not only great for your pockets but for the environment.
Are you looking to improve your home’s efficiency? If so, contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of West Houston, and we’ll get your plumbing system operating at peak efficiency in no time.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
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