Water may not be an unlimited supply as most of us think. By the year 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population might experience water shortages. Only 3% of the world’s water supply is considered freshwater. Due to human activities, our freshwater supply is getting stressed and depleted. One such activity is plumbing. Given such, shifting to an eco-friendly plumbing system might just help conserve the water we all need.
Residential and commercial plumbing rely on freshwater bodies such as lakes and rivers for water consumption. Unfortunately, there are places in the world that experience the blunt force of water scarcity. Because of this, having eco-friendly plumbing will greatly help in achieving the sustainability of water resources in the years to come.
Why Choose Eco-Friendly Plumbing
Plumbing is probably not only one of the most used systems in a household but also the most overlooked. Not everyone thinks of the ins and outs of how a plumbing system works post-construction. Nevertheless, it is highly crucial to know how our daily plumbing use affects the environment as a whole.
By using eco-friendly plumbing materials, the percentage of water contamination and soil poisoning can be lowered. They are also more sustainable because they can last for a longer period than commercialized ones.
Cheap plumbing systems can cause leaks easily, contaminating the water supply and the soil. This raises a red flag if you have a garden or a backyard farm. Aside from contamination, leakage means that water constantly flows, causing damage to a property and thereby increasing the water bill.
Eco-Friendly Plumbing Tips
You’d be surprised to know that some of the tips mentioned here are simple swaps and practical approaches we can follow to help conserve water.
1. Use proper insulation for pipes.
It is common practice to leave the tap open for a few minutes for warm water to flow. This costs not only electricity but also water consumption. If the plumbing system is properly insulated, the water flow will remain warm thus, minimizing the work of the water heater
2. Use low plumbing fixtures.
Hardware stores nowadays commonly carry low plumbing fixtures. They are affordable alternatives for a more sustainable plumbing system because they limit the water flow of the amount you need to use.
3. Apply smart technology.
If you have the resources, an upgrade towards smart technology for your plumbing system is a good choice. With today’s developments, plumbing systems can now be activated through motion or heat sensors, minimizing drips and improper valve closures.
4. Use tankless water heaters.
Tankless water heaters are gaining popularity not only because of the convenience they bring but also because of their efficiency in bringing on-demand warm water. These tankless water heaters can help save electricity.
5. Upgrade to dual flush toilets.
Dual flush toilets let you use only the amount of water you need for a toilet activity. They are more efficient because they control the amount of water needed to flush down the liquid and solid wastes separately.
6. Do a regular drain cleaning using natural cleaners.
When you do your routine household cleaning, include the kitchen sink to remove food particles, fats, and other debris. Refrain from using commercialized drain cleaners. Most of these cleaners have chemicals that are highly damaging to the pipes and can kill the good bacteria needed in a septic tank. Use household staples like vinegar and baking soda. They are natural drain cleaners that do well in killing germs and disinfecting drain pipes.
Choosing eco-friendly water treatment products does well a place’s plumbing system because they minimize the contamination and corrosion of the pipes.
7. Go basic.
Sometimes to be efficient in spending electricity and water, one has to go back to the basics. Ditch the water heaters and prepare your bath by boiling the necessary amount using a kettle on your stove. A lot of people depend on new technologies to speed up household work, but it won’t hurt to do things like the old times. Washing dishes by hand also saves water and electricity.
8. Minimize using dishwashers.
It’s difficult to imagine washing the dishes without the help of a dishwasher. However, it is more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly if you do the dishes by hand. This will also lessen the amount of gray water that will go down the sewage system.
9. Install gray water systems.
After washing the dishes, taking a shower, or cleaning, gray water (a.k.a. wastewater), flows into the main sewage line. It mixes right away with contaminated water. In order to reuse gray water, it has to be treated in a local processing plant. However, such a process requires much energy.
You can opt to have a professional plumber install a gray water treatment system in your household so that you can easily recycle wastewater from your household activities. Your readily recycled water at your place can be used for watering plants and other tasks. This, in turn, also reduces your household’s water consumption.
10. Invest in energy-efficient appliances.
Investing in energy-efficiently appliances can be costly at the beginning, but it lasts longer than the readily-available appliances in the market. Energy-efficient appliances help in minimizing greenhouse emissions by only turning the power on when needed. Installing energy-efficient dishwashers is also proven to be a more sustainable choice because they can last longer and use only the right amount of water per load.
Why You Should Invest In Eco-Friendly Plumbing
The common concern about eco-friendly plumbing materials is that they are costly compared to commercial brands. While this is true to a certain extent, there are a lot of advantages to being eco-friendly.
1. Longevity
Eco-friendly plumbing materials are developed to last for years, making them a sustainable choice. Newly-developed plumbing pipes such as the PEX have a lifespan that can go for more than five years if properly maintained.
2. Less Water Usage
Modern plumbing materials like toilets and sinks now come with a mechanism that allows only a specific amount of water to be used in a single session, which helps save gallons of water. Dual flush toilets are the best example of these. The same thing is true for modern models of energy-efficient dishwashers.
3. Cleaner Water
Eco-friendly materials are developed with an improved filtration system that makes sure the water that flows through the tap is safe enough to drink. Modern plumbing materials such as PEX are durable. They prevent not only corrosion but also contamination. Plus, the filtration system comes with the ability to “soften” the water by means of eliminating the excess mineral content.
Switch to Greener Plumbing with A Better Plumber.
If you’re ready to make the necessary upgrades to your plumbing, A Better Plumber can help you with the transition. A Better Plumber is your best bet in terms of plumbing in Denver, CO. We can give you advice on how to maintain your system – all at an affordable service price. Give us a call now!
