GreenPlumbing.com is here to assist consumers find eco-friendly products and learn environmentally conscious practices when it comes to plumbing. We'll also help you find a local plumber that offers green plumbing products and services too!
For many, going green has become a way of life.. It not only helps the environment, but it also can mean savings and a healthier life style in general. One of the ways that people are encouraged to go green is with their plumbing practices. The access to water is predicted to be a big issue as the century rolls along, and green water usage will only become more important. The following is a guide to everything homeowners need to know about green plumbing.
Green plumbing is about more than improved technology and methods. It's about social interaction- being an active member in an environmentally-friendly community, and informing family, friends & neighbors about new Green Plumbing ideas and Green Plumbing products.
Green Plumbing.com is here to inform people about the benefits of Green Plumbing, including hiring a plumber offering green plumbing services and converting your home or office into an eco-friendly environment.
What Is Green Plumbing?
There are two aspects to understand about green plumbing. The primary aspect of green plumbing is reducing water usage. The cost of clean water is estimated to rise rapidly in the next few decades. Freshwater supplies are being reduced due to overuse. It is very important that people find ways to reduce their water usage through green plumbing practices.
The second aspect of green plumbing is reducing energy usage. It is estimated that roughly 30 percent of energy used in the typical home goes towards heating hot water. Therefore, an important part of reducing energy waste is making use of green plumbing practices that will reduce hot water usage, which will drastically lower homeowners' energy bills.
Green Plumbing and Heating
Green Plumbing practices (as with most eco-friendly practices) help homeowners improve the environment while at the same time save money on their heating bill, electricity bill, water bill, and other utilities.
Green Plumbing Products
There are a number of products that have come on the market in the last few decades that are designed to reduce water usage. The most widespread of these green plumbing products is the low-flow toilet. A low-flow toilet only uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush, whereas a full-flow toilet uses 3.5 gallons per flush. There are also dual-flush models of low-flow toilets. These dual-flush models use 1.6 gallons for a full-flush, which is typically used for solid waste. They use 1.1 gallons for a reduced flush for liquid waste.
There are many other green plumbing products as well. People looking to go green should look for washing machines that are green. They are designed to use less energy and water. There are also low-flow showers that reduce the traditional shower’s water usage of 25 gallons by around 50 to 70 percent.
Even greener than the low-flow shower is the steam shower. While traditional showers use an average of 25 gallons per shower, a steam shower uses around a gallon of water per shower. This is an incredibly green plumbing product that has the added benefit of being luxurious to experience.
A tankless hot water heater can be another green plumbing product. Instead of wasting energy keeping a huge reservoir of hot water at all times, a tankless water heater heats the water when it is needed. In addition, it can lower energy bills, by users not having to waste time waiting for the reservoir to fill if it is a house that has heavy hot water usage.
Low-flow toilets, low-flow showerheads, and front-loading washing machines use less water- per flush, per minute, per cycle-, respectively and are just a step in creating a eco-friendly, green plumbing environment. With innovations in green plumbing, new ways to conserve continue to appear.
Green Plumbing Ideas
The first step in green plumbing is to install as many green plumbing products as you can afford. This can greatly reduce your water usage, and it will save you money in the long-run by slashing your water and energy bills.
You should also keep an eye on your entire plumbing system. Leaks are a major reason for higher water usage and higher water bills . Make sure to regularly inspect your entire home for leaks, fixing them as soon as you find them.
Green Plumbing Tips
Certain landscaping ideas can help reduce your water usage. Avoid over watering the lawn. Reduce the time of the extra long showers that you take. Don’t leave the faucet running while brushing your teeth. If everyone does their part to conserve water, we can help to avoid a water crisis in the future.