An energy-efficient home is good for the pocketbook and the environment. When it comes to making a home more energy efficient, most homeowners don’t think about the plumbing system. Old plumbing fixtures waste water and energy and may be costing you hundreds — or thousands — of dollars. Below are ways you can achieve more cost-efficient plumbing.
Pipe Insulation
Heat loss can occur as hot water flows to your plumbing fixtures. You can reduce heat loss by insulating your pipes. Pipe insulation allows you to set the water-heater temperature down to 120 degrees or even lower, helping lower your energy costs.
Foam pipe insulation is available in cut lengths that fit your pipes easily. You can wrap foam tape around pipes in tricky areas.
Low-Flow Faucets
Replacing your sink’s old faucets with low-flow models can reduce your water usage from 2.5 GPM (gallons per minute) to 1.5 GPM. For the average household, that could translate to savings of as much as 13,000 gallons of water and hundreds of dollars annually.
Low-Flow Toilet
Low-flow toilets use half the amount of water that traditional toilets used. A four-member family can save more than 20,000 gallons of water with these toilets. Many are designed with a lower-flush option for liquid waste and have a wider drainage passage to reduce clogging issues.
Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters or on-demand water heaters heat water only when needed. That makes them more efficient than standard tank-type water heaters, which keep tens of gallons of water hot all the time. A tankless water heater also takes up significantly less space and lasts much longer.
Low-Flow Showerheads
Thanks to technological advancement, modern low-flow showerheads deliver more water pressure using less water. Older showerheads had a flow rate of 5 to 8 GPM. Newer ones can use less than 2 GPM.
As you can see, energy-efficient plumbing can provide you with considerable savings. To learn more about cost-efficient plumbing, please get in touch with us at Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We’ve served the plumbing needs of homeowners in the Indianapolis area for more than 50 years.
