6 Plumbing Upgrades to Help Improve Water Conservation
February 8, 2023Water conservation is becoming an increasingly important issue in our world today and it’s more important than ever that we use our resources well. Plumbing upgrades can help reduce water waste and conserve our precious water supply. And, they are a consideration when it comes to choosing fixtures in home design too. Here are some plumbing upgrades to help improve water conservation to consider as you think about your custom home design:
Benefits of Plumbing Upgrades for Water Conservation
Upgrading plumbing systems can have several positive impacts on water conservation. You can save lots of water in your home by installing more efficient fixtures with low flow rates, like shower heads and toilets.
Not only is this one of the tips for building an energy-efficient custom home, but it also means you’ll be using less water overall and spending less on your water bill. Also, plumbing improvements can improve your home’s water pressure, making it easier to take shorter showers and saving even more water.
6 Types of Plumbing Upgrades That Can Help You Conserve Water
Plumbing upgrades are a great way to conserve water and reduce utility bills. Upgrading your plumbing system can result in improved water efficiency and overall water conservation. Many different types of plumbing upgrades can help you save water and make your home run more efficiently. Common plumbing upgrades include:
- Low-flow fixtures
- Systems that recycle hot water
- Water filtration systems
- Toilets that use less water
By upgrading your plumbing, you can use less water, save money on your utility bills, and protect water resources.
1. Low-Flow Shower Fixtures
Older shower heads can enormously contribute to water waste, just like outdated toilets. The typical shower head uses 2.5 gallons of water every minute. If you switch to a low-flow model, you can reduce water consumption by up to 40% without sacrificing performance or water pressure.
There are two types of low-flow shower heads—aerating and non-aerating—to pick from. Not only can low-flow shower heads help conserve water, but they can also help decrease your energy use as you will require less hot water when you shower. This is one of the things to consider when choosing bathroom fixtures and faucets.
2. Water-Saving Toilets
Out of all the home plumbing fixtures, toilets are often the most wasteful when using water. Older, inefficient toilets can consume up to seven gallons of water per flush and account for more than one-third of a household’s water use. In the past few years, improvements in toilet technology have led to the creation of models that use less water.
Low-flow, dual-flush, and pressure-assist toilets are all made to use much less water than traditional toilets. Using this kind of toilet can save thousands of gallons of water each year and help cut down on energy costs because less hot water will be used. Water-saving toilets are an absolute must-have for anyone looking to be more environmentally conscious while also saving on utility bills.
3. Pressure-Reducing Valves
Most of the wastewater made at home is because the water pressure in the pipes is too high. The standard pressure for plumbing systems is 60-70 pounds per square inch (psi); however, many systems only need a pressure of 35 psi.
A pressure-reducing valve (PRV) can be installed to reduce the water pressure. It will help cut down on the amount of wastewater produced and also make the pipes last longer. It is suggested that a plumber check the water pressure and, if needed, install a PRV.
4. Pipe Upgrades
Most old homes have galvanized pipes, which, unfortunately, rust on the inside. It can make drinking water unsafe and cause the pipes to burst as debris builds up inside. When thinking about plumbing for new construction homes, polybutylene, lead, or copper pipes are recommended, as they are less likely to leak and can even help add to the value of your home.
It’s important to also think about the insulation of pipes. Insulated pipes will keep heat in better, which will save you both water and energy. These are all details that will be handled properly by partnering with an experienced, reputable custom home builder.
5. Hot Water Recirculating System
A hot water recirculating system is an efficient way to provide hot water on demand. It is much faster than a traditional water heater and prevents the waste of cold water while waiting for it to become hot. This technology has been around for a while but has only recently been adapted for residential use. Also, homeowners in some states may get a tax credit if they install a system that recycles hot water.
6. Green Sprinkler System
The inefficiency of landscape irrigation is one of the major causes of water waste in the United States and it’s also one of the landscaping mistakes to avoid. Because of this, people and businesses are encouraged to use sprinkler systems that are smart or automated instead of ones that are set up by hand.
One benefit of an automated sprinkler is that it can be set to work at night, so less water is lost to evaporation. Additionally, these automated systems often come with a timer that you can set, so it will automatically turn off the sprinkler after a certain period. Green sprinkler systems that are more advanced have a weather monitoring feature that can predict the weather and change how much water is used.
Plumbing is Just One Detail in Home Design and Construction
These are just a few plumbing upgrades to help improve water conversion to consider as you think about your custom home design. There are a lot of details when it comes to a custom home, including plenty that you might not think of right away.
Partnering with a reputable and experienced custom home builder can make sure all of the details are considered and addressed, and that you end up with the custom home you want with construction quality you can trust. If you’re ready to start making your dream home a reality, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090. We can help bring your dream home to life!