How to Make Your Plumbing More Eco-Friendly

Making your plumbing eco-friendly can help you save money and protect the environment as well. You’ll be surprised at how easy it can be. Here are some tips to make your plumbing more eco-friendly.

Insulate Water Pipes

Insulating your pipes can help reduce heat loss and prevent your water from getting cold before it reaches your faucet. This can save energy and reduce your energy bill. Many people make the mistake of only insulating the hot water pipes, but cold pipes need to be insulated, too.

Doing this will help prevent water loss and damage from burst pipes in winter. You can DIY to insulate your visible pipes, but you’ll want to contact a professional plumber to insulate the many hidden pipes throughout your home.

Turn Down the Hot Water Thermostat

Many people keep their hot water thermostats needlessly too high. Experiment with turning the thermostat down by degrees. You may find you only need it to be two-thirds as hot as you thought.

This tactic not only saves on energy by reducing hot water heating costs; it can also help prevent accidental scalding in the sink or shower.

Upgrade to a Tankless Water Heater

Even better, consider upgrading your household plumbing with a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters heat water as the water is being dispensed, rather than storing all your home’s hot water in a tank.

This can help save energy and reduce your energy bill. Traditional water heaters keep an entire tankful of water heated; even when you don’t need it, you’re at work or away for a long weekend.

A tankless water heater only heats water on demand, saving you a bundle in heating costs, and saving on energy. It’s a win-win for you and the environment.

Replace Your Old Showerhead

Replace the old showerhead with a new one. These days, many showerheads sold in hardware stores, department stores, and even online stores, come with a water-saving feature. This allows you to save up to 30 percent of water by only allowing the water to come out in a strong spray, instead of a full-on, high-volume spray that covers the walls and floors.

To get the idea of how much water you can save with this simple adjustment, a standard showerhead distributes around 26 gallons of water during a 10-minute shower, whereas a low-flow showerhead decreases water use to 20 gallons without compromising the shower experience.

Fix any Leaks or Drips

Leaky faucets and pipes can waste a lot of water over time. By fixing these issues, you can help conserve water and reduce your water bill.

If you think that a tiny, sporadic drip doesn’t waste much water, try this. Place an empty gallon milk jug beneath the leak to catch the drip. See how many times you have to empty the jug and replace it. That’s how much water you could save by having a plumber fix a leaky faucet.

Use Natural Products Instead of Chemicals

Sustainability goes beyond minimizing water use. Check your plumbing system's chemicals and other solutions. Use natural products wherever feasible because your system may meet groundwater.

Avoid flushing hazardous chemicals and tough food waste like grease through your pipes. Use a plumber-recommended eco-friendly plumbing solution to unclog drains or treat septic tanks.

The milder enzymes in these products reduce pipe, drain, and septic tank wear and tear, minimizing the need for repairs. In addition, they are easier on your town’s water system.

By implementing these eco-friendly measures, you can help reduce your household's impact on the environment and conserve valuable resources like water and energy resources.

If you want help making your eco-friendly plumbing dreams a reality, contact the professionals at Pilot Plumbing, family-owned and operated servicing North Houston & Montgomery County since 2005.