Sustainable Plumbing Solutions for a Greener Future
There are a lot of things that you can do to help the environment. Recycling, for example. Planting trees. Making sure not to litter. But plumbing? What can you do with plumbing?
As it turns out … a lot. You can come up with professional plumbing solutions that will make their mark on the planet, in a good way. Here are some of them:
Low-Flow Toilets and Showerheads
These are two big problem areas when it comes to water conservation. There are toilets out there that waste a lot of water every time you flush. It might be relaxing to stand under your showerhead and just let the water wash away your worries. The problem is, you’re using up an invaluable resource when you do that, especially if the shower is blasting away for a long time.
That can be easily solved by getting low-flow models of both of these. They look and act like regular toilets and showerheads. The flow might be a little weaker in the shower, but it still gets the job done. You will still be able to get excellent results with these bathroom appliances. You just won’t be using up as much water.
High-Efficiency Faucets
This type of faucet helps conserve water by using aerators. That means it mixes air and water – it still gives you a steady stream of water to do things like wash your hands, shave, and brush your teeth. You’ll just be saving water in the meantime. How much water can you save with a high-efficiency faucet? 30% You can find a lot of different styles, so you’ll find one that perfectly fits your bathroom’s aesthetic.
Water-Efficient Appliances
There are a lot of other appliances in your home that require water. The main ones would be your washing machine and your dishwasher. You don’t have to worry about doing those two chores by hand, either. There are plenty of water-efficient washing machines and dishwashers that will do a thorough job of cleaning your clothes and your dishes and not require as much water. They will do the job right each time.
Rainwater Harvesting
This isn’t a scenario like on those survival shows on television where the people have to manage to live off of getting three drops of water off a leaf. This is something that can be set up on your roof and it converts the water it collects when it rains and uses it for things like watering your lawn or flushing your toilet.
The main point of rainwater harvesting is that you’re not supposed to drink it. It does use a filtration system to make sure that the water is suitable for plants. It’s a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.
There are other sustainable plumbing solutions, like a greywater system, which reuses the water that drains from your sink, shower and washing machines. Again, you don’t drink the water, just use it for other things. Make sure a professional does the installation. You can also get energy-efficient water heating, which can help your energy bill.
If you do even one of these things, you can help the planet. That’s worth the money.