Can A Home’s Plumbing Help Save the Earth?
April is Earth Month, and it’s time to be mindful of ways to help the planet. Water conservation is a very important part of being ecologically minded. Still, homeowners can do more than just turn off the sink when brushing their teeth or taking showers instead of baths. Modern plumbing’s technological advances make saving water and the planet easier than ever.
Water-Saving Toilets and Other Gadgets
One of the most frequent water uses in the house is flushing the toilet. The typical toilet uses around one and a half gallons per flush, while older toilets can use upwards of 3 gallons. These days, more efficient toilets and fixtures are available.- WaterSense Toilets: These are eco-friendly toilets that use a little over a gallon (1.28 or less) of water to flush. The WaterSense label is a certification by the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Dual Flush Toilets: These toilets have two flushes, as it says in the name. One is a regular strength flush using about 1.6 gallons, and the other is a half-flush using approximately .8 gallons.
- Touch Faucets: These kitchen or bathroom faucets can be turned on and off simply by touching them, which conserves water and is also incredibly convenient.
Tankless Water Heaters and their Surprising Efficiency
Most homes still have a traditional water heater consisting of a 30 to 60-gallon metal tank attached to a heat exchanger that uses either electricity or natural gas to heat the water in the tank. While some of these tank heaters are considered energy-efficient, there is hardly a more energy-efficient solution than the tankless water heater.
They heat a small amount of water very quickly instead of keeping a whole tank (remember, that’s typically more than 30 gallons of water) at a consistent temperature. Tankless water heaters also provide longer-lasting hot water because they continue to heat while the water is running, making the end of the shower perhaps warmer than the beginning. Due to its size, this type of water heater is also space-saving.
What Type of Pipe?
There's a wide variety of materials used for making water pipes. Everything from copper to PVC has unique properties and pros and cons. Some of the most common pipes are copper pipes, PVC pipes, CPVC pipes, and PEX pipes. Below are some benefits of certain types of materials:
- Strong for water mains: copper, PVC
- Flexible: PEX, some CPVC, some copper
- Easy to install: PEX, CPVC, PVC
- Good for hot water: PEX, CPVC, copper
- Recyclable: copper
About Green Hills Plumbing
Locally owned and operated, Green Hills Plumbing offers residents in the Nashville area upfront pricing and 24/7 emergency service from expert technicians. No job is complete until the customer is 100% satisfied. Call them today for plumbing services in Madison, TN.
