Lowering Home Energy Costs through Plumbing

When most people brainstorm ways to cut back their costs, few think about plumbing. Energy costs today can be extremely expensive, especially in larger homes where families require a lot more water use on a daily basis. Luckily, there are several ways homeowners can lower their utility bills each month using efficient plumbing equipment. A number of products and appliances are designed to help you save energy, and subsequently, costs on your home energy bills. From simple showerheads that save water, to toilets designed to save with each flush, efficient plumbing is an ecofriendly way to lower your bills.

High efficiency toilets

Your toilet is a major contributor to your home's water usage, thus installing a high efficiency toilet will make a large dent in your water consumption. In fact, a home's toilets account for about 30% of the water bill.

There are several types of high efficiency toilets to choose from, but typically they will all reduce water consumption by about 20% or more. The most popular model is the Dual-Flush High Efficiency Toilet which allows owners to set how much water they use per flush. Most models include two flush buttons—one for liquid waste, which will use a minimal amount of water, and another for solid waste, using more water.

How much water is saved? The main difference in gallons-per-flush is about 6-7 gallons of water—approximately 1.3 for a high efficiency toilet, versus 8 gallons on a standard toilet.

Other high efficiency toilets are available such as Pressure Assist High Efficiency Toilets, Power Assist toilets, and Gravity Fed Single Flush Toilets.

High Efficiency Showerheads

The most obvious culprit in your home's water usage is the shower. High efficiency showerheads can help reduce home water consumption in the shower by approximately 70%! The latest models of high efficiency showerheads still allow you to benefit from the feeling of strong water pressure without using as much water.

High Efficiency Faucets

Much like the showerheads, these specially designed faucets allow your sinks to produce a strong, steady flow while using less water. You can also install a flow-restrictor or aerator to your current faucet so you can reap the energy saving benefits without purchasing a new faucet.

Smart Sprinkler Controllers

Compliment your irrigation system with a smart sprinkler controller. These devices allow owners to set sprinkler times without the need control them manually from home. Many smart sprinkler controllers can detect if the ground is saturated due to recent rain and will override the settings if  sprinkler use is unnecessary.

Progressive Plumbing is a family-owned, plumbing company in Duluth, GA. With years of experience, the business provides plumbing repairs, maintenance and installation for homeowners throughout Atlanta, GA and the surrounding area.