Jun

25

Water Conservation Tips For Renovating Your Home

Filed Under Water Conservation 

Plumbers are home owners too and when we work at renovating our homes, we start by looking at the latest water conservation ideas.

We all need to do our part to conserve resources.  And thanks to new technology, there are more options then ever. You don’t have to make a choice between beautiful fixtures or water conservation – there are many options that meet both criteria.

As a plumber, I use the following checklist whenever I speak with a homeowner ready to start a home renovation project:

  • Start by checking what you have. What works, and what should you replace? In some cases you may have fixtures and appliances that are still in great shape, in which you can spend your money on other necessities and upgrades.
  • Check faucets and pipes for leaks. While its easy to see a leaky faucet, pipes are harder to find. Even a small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons, and can cause serious damage if its located behind a wall.
  • Want the new shower in your 5 piece master bath to come with a multi head spa system?  Talk with your plumber first. He can make suggestions on installing water-saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators there and throughout the rest of your home. “Low-flow” means it uses less than 2.5 gallons per minute, which can be a substantial savings if you live in an older home.
  • The first step to any renovation is removing old toilets, and buying “low flush” toilets, which use 1 to 2 gallons per flush instead of the usual 3 to 5 gallons. And with the rebates on the market for Colorado residents, the cost to you is next to nothing. And as one of the biggest wasters of water, its also one of the easiest ways to conserve.
  • Use Energy Star rated appliances, and do your homework before any purchase. Just because an appliance has an Energy Star rating doesn’t always mean its energy efficient – check out our article on energy star ratings. Your local plumber can make recommendations, or talk with a knowledgeable sales person.
  • Upgrade your water heater. Old water heaters can be inefficient and waste both water and energy. While the rage seems to be focused on tankless water heaters, we actually prefer the new hybrid water heaters.
  • Install a gas line. Want to build an outdoor fireplace, or add a gas grill? How about a fireplace in the master suite? The first place to start is bringing the gas line from the source to your area. Your plumber can also make suggestions on location, to avoid having to bring a gas line further than necessary.

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