Simple Ways Your Plumber Can Help You Go Green

Living green is more than just a choice. For many, it is a lifestyle. From carrying reusable shopping bags and refillable water bottles to setting a programmable thermostat, these simple tasks can make a big impact on the environment. Fortunately, you can also go green with your home's plumbing. Here are a few eco-friendly additions your plumber can help you install.

New Water Heater

A water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home. It provides your entire household the hot water needed for bathing, laundering, and cleaning purposes, but most homeowners take the water heater for granted.

If your current water is failing or you just want to go green, consider an eco-friendly model. Tankless water heaters are the most popular choices today due to their ability to create a continuous supply of hot water without using a continuous supply of energy. However, tankless is not your only option when it comes to an eco-friendly water heater.

Today, more and more homeowners are opting for heat pump water heaters. This system pulls the hot air from the room, using it as its main source of heat, to create hot water for your home. By using the existing hot air, the heat pump water heater can provide your home with hot water without using extra energy. Installing a heat pump water will require a plumber and a heating and cooling contractor. You will have the option of a stand-alone heat pump water heater or an integrated water heating and space conditioning system. 

Water-Efficient Fixtures

Upgrading the plumbing fixtures in your home has many benefits, too. New fixtures, in modern finishes such as oil-rubbed bronze or even copper, can add appeal and value to your home. In addition, many of these fixtures can help you conserve water, which will reduce your monthly water bills while living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

To get started, consider replacing your sink faucets and showerheads with low-flow models. Search for fixtures with the WaterSense label, which guarantee you will reduce your water usage.

WaterSense sink faucets can reduce the sink's flow by an estimated 30 percent. If installed on all of the sinks, tubs, and showerheads in your home, you will see an enormous decrease in your total water usage.

Faucets and shower heads are not the only water-efficient fixtures you can add to your home. Low-flow toilets are also smart investments. While many people believe these toilets are not capable of flushing away waste properly, low-flow toilets use vacuum or gravity assistance to remove waste without wasting water. A plumber, like those at Bedell Plumbing & HVAC, can install one rather quickly.

In many instances, installing these water-efficient fixtures can be completed by the average homeowner. If you lack the tools or knowledge necessary, consider hiring a plumber for the most effective and efficient replacement.

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