Go Green With Your Home’s Plumbing

Green plumbing is a way to conserve energy and save money in relation to home water usage. Because water-related energy consumes around 19 percent of the state’s electricity, 30 percent of its natural gas, and billions of gallons of diesel fuel every year, every gallon of water you don’t use cuts down on the fossil fuels used in conjunction with water consumption. So green plumbing is really about using energy-saving appliances, low-flow fixtures, and a little common sense when it comes to using water.

Here are a some of the best ways to conserve energy and water in your home.

Install Low-Flow Toilets

Toilets use a quarter of the water in the average American household. Originally, low-flow toilets we less than perfect, but new low flow toilets have improved significantly and can save 70% or more than 3 gallons of water over their convnetional 5-gallon counterparts. That means a family of 4 that upgrades to a low-flow toilet from a 5-gallon toilet would save over 13,000 gallons of water per year!

Install An Energy Efficient Water Heater

After heating and air conditioning, a water heater is a home’s most energy using device. Choosing an Energy Star rated conventional water heater or a newer tankless style water heater, you can save significant energy dollars.

Use Cold Water

Switching to cold water washing can save 80 percent on energy used for laundry and save an estimated $60 a year. Hang dry your clothes instead of using the dryer and save 700 pounds of C02 a year.

Use Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Installing a low-flow shower head rated at 2 gallons per minute you can save 6 gallons over a standard head or 36 gallons over old or modified shower heads. New shower head technology has given us the feel of high volume shower heads without the cost. You’ll not only save water, but the cost of heating water as well.

Find and Repair Water Leaks

It’s hard to believe, but 14% of all household water used is due to plumbing leaks. Toilets are the number one cause of water leaks, with faucets and showers being close behind. Hidden water leaks under your sink or behind walls can also cause significant damage to your home.

Need Expert Plumbing Services?

In the Windy City and its neighboring towns, ABC Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, Cooling, and Electric has you covered. As the leading Chicago plumbers, trust us with all your plumbing needs!

Also check: Here’s how to drain your home’s plumbing system.