Plumbing

When thinking about ways to save the environment, you probably focus on recycling, reducing your carbon footprint, and being more energy-efficient.

But an often-overlooked area you can improve upon with some help is your plumbing. The average American household uses up to 140 gallons of water daily, so by making simple changes to your plumbing system, you’ll help conserve water.

If you’re looking to make your home a little greener (and save money), follow these eco-friendly plumbing tips to improve your home’s sustainability.

Eco-Friendly Bathrooms

Prevent water wastage by upgrading your bathroom.

Use Eco-Friendly toilets

Flushing the toilet uses up to a whopping 13,000 gallons of water a year. It’s the largest source of water use in your home. So if you want to reduce your impact on the environment and save money, consider switching to an eco-friendly toilet with reduced water usage.

These low-flow toilets use less than 1.28 gallons per flush, 20% less than the current Federal standard. What’s more, they can help you save up to $140 per year.[1]
Or why not switch to a dual-flush toilet that allows you to choose between a half or full flush, depending on how much water you need?

Even better, some low-flow toilets (like those with the WaterSense certification) come with rebate opportunities. So you can save the environment and some money at the same time!

Less Energy is Better

Another benefit of using a low-flow toilet is the amount of energy it uses per flush. Rather than using more water to flush away your waste, it uses water velocity instead.

Power flush toilets use pressurized air to wash away waste, making them another alternative. However, they can be quite noisy, so they aren’t suitable near sleeping areas.

Get a Water Hippo

Get yourself a hippo in the bathroom! A water hippo is a small device you place in the cistern to reduce the amount of water used when you flush—a simple but effective eco-friendly action.

Pick the Right Pipes

It isn’t just the appliances that you could change. Some low-grade pipes can cause soil and groundwater contamination. Picking the right pipes protects your plumbing system and saves the environment.

Pick the Right Pipes

It isn’t just the appliances that you could change. Some low-grade pipes can cause soil and groundwater contamination. Picking the right pipes protects your plumbing system and saves the environment.

By insulating your pipes, you’ll also protect them from cold weather, meaning fewer pipe bursts and repair bills.

Simple Eco-Friendly Plumbing Fixtures

It’s not hard to create a more eco-friendly home. Here are two simple changes you can make.

Replace Your Showerhead

Here’s a shocking fact – a standard showerhead uses 2.5 gallons of water per minute. America uses 1.2 trillion gallons of water annually just for showers!

You don’t need to replace your entire shower to save water. Simply swap your showerhead for a low-flow one. There are two types available:

  • Aerating – mixes air with water giving a misty spray
  • Laminar-flow – form individual streams of water

Installing a new showerhead is an easy way to reduce your energy costs and contribute to saving the environment. And if you choose a WaterSense showerhead, you can rest assured it’s undergone rigorous testing.

Swap to Eco-Friendly Faucets

It isn’t only your showerhead you can change. Switching to eco-friendly faucets also saves water and energy. Touchless faucets switch off automatically, saving up to 30% of water usage.

Eco-friendly faucets also last longer than traditional faucets. So you don’t have to worry about buying new ones every few years.

Get Regular Drain Clearing Services

Be on the ball when it comes to maintaining your plumbing systems.

Drains can be a source of pollution and wastewater. So it’s essential to keep them clean and free from debris. Ideally, clean your drains every 30-60 days to prevent chemicals from cleaning fluids from entering the environment.

DIY Solutions

Chemicals can be harsh on the environment. So why not try a homemade solution? An eco-friendly mix to clear pipes is pouring baking soda and white vinegar. Together with boiling water, this might be enough to keep the drains clear.

Professional Inspections

The best way to keep drains clear is to book regular plumbing inspections. The JW Plumbing, Heating and Air experts will keep your plumbing in tip-top shape.

It’s surprising how a few simple changes can help save the environment. Contact us today to get started on your eco-friendly plumbing journey.

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