Sustainable Plumbing: Eco-Friendly Practices for a Greener Home
Did you know that making more sustainable choices for your home plumbing system will lower your carbon footprint? We all consider solar panels the key to a more sustainable home, but switching out your plumbing components for more sustainable options can make a huge difference (at a fraction of the cost).
What are the best eco-friendly plumbing practices for a greener home?
Keep reading as we explore the basics of sustainable plumbing. This guide will tell you why sustainable plumbing is worth it and recommend the top solutions for making significant water-use changes. Let’s start by discussing why sustainable solutions are needed.
Why Do You Need Sustainable Plumbing Solutions?
Why bother investing in sustainable plumbing solutions? Here are the top reasons why eco-friendly plumbing should be your first step toward a greener home:
● Saving money – Low-flow fixtures and energy-efficient water heaters lower your energy consumption, which will, in turn, lead to lower energy bills. With the cost of living and energy crisis in full swing, homeowners need more tools to combat fluctuating energy costs.● Lowering your carbon footprint – Greener plumbing practices conserve water resources, reducing the carbon emissions the water industry creates. Small changes in your home can make a big difference for our planet.
● Improving your health – When you switch to greener plumbing fixtures, you can make your water cleaner and safer. The water you bathe, drink, and cook with will improve your health and well-being.
● Offering durability – Sustainable plumbing materials, like PEX piping, provide more durability than other alternatives to reduce replacement waste.
● Improving property value – If you sell your house, the sustainable plumbing system will attract eco-conscious buyers, who will pay more for your property.
For all these reasons, it’s time to consider your sustainable options. Let’s move on and discuss the top recommended green plumbing solutions.
Top Solutions For Green Plumbing
Where should you start when making your plumbing system more sustainable? Here are your best options.
Low-Flow Fixtures
You can purchase low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets with the same water pressure and function without wasting water. They restrict the water flow to reduce waste while you wash your hands and body or flush the toilet.
If you want a sustainable solution that reduces energy spending, low-flow plumbing fixtures are the way to go.
Rainwater Harvesting System
A rainwater harvesting system uses a network of gutters to collect rainwater for you to store in a central system. It is typically stored in a tank or reservoir, filtered or treated to meet household specifications. You can use it for everyday household tasks like boiling rice, washing your hands, relaxing, lowering water bills, and conserving freshwater resources.
Sustainable Pipe Materials
Now that we’ve considered sustainable plumbing functioning, it’s time to view the whole lifecycle of your plumbing system. Regarding sustainability, you need to consider how the raw materials are sourced and whether they can be recycled at the end of their lifecycle. Here are some examples of sustainable pipe materials:
● PEX: PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, is both flexible and durable. It requires fewer manufacturing resources when compared to copper and metal. It has a longer lifespan, too, meaning you won’t need to use more materials for replacement anytime soon.
● Cast iron: Although PEX and plastic alternatives offer less resource-intensive manufacturing processes, cast iron beats them when it comes to durability. They can last for many decades; metal is more recyclable than plastic.
● Reclaimed and recycled materials: You can use recycled or reclaimed piping, such as copper or PVC. This minimizes waste and reduces the demand for manufacturing and raw material sourcing. Repurposing otherwise discarded materials can save you money, too, if your budget’s tight.
Go Green With Your Home’s Plumbing System
Hopefully, this guide has provided some direction for making your home plumbing practices more sustainable. Consider which of these options would be most valuable for your current situation in line with your budget or any plans to sell your home.
Switching to sustainable plumbing systems? You can discuss your vision with our friendly and reliable Durham Region plumbers at Caldwell Plumbing. We’re always happy to help — call us now to get started!
