Understanding “green” plumbing
In the Western World we take clean water piped into our homes too much for granted and far too much is wasted. In many parts of the world water is a scarce and treasured commodity. With the threat of global warming hanging over us we should all be taking the subject of how we use water far more seriously.
Thankfully, the developed world is beginning to consider water use to be an important subject. How to reduce waste and make the best of the resources available are the major criteria? One way to contribute to saving this precious resource is by incorporating “green” plumbing into new builds and to update plumbing in existing homes and business premises. Not only can it save water but it can also save a considerable amount of money by reducing water charges. Below is some useful advice about plumbing that reduces wastage of water?
Check for any leaks
One of the major causes of water waste is from leaking mains and pipes. The mains are the responsibility of the water company of course and major leaks in the home quickly become apparent, however, even dripping f
aucets can waste a large amount of water, so it’s important to repair them as soon as the problem becomes apparent. A surprising amount of water can be lost through leaks, and getting a green plumber such as Seattle plumbing company Jim Dandy to help diagnose and fix any problems could save far more money than the cost of the work.
Change the toilets
If it has come to the time to replace an old toilet go for the best “green” option by buying a model that is low-flow and high efficiency. These are great for saving water by reducing the amount of flow necessary for flushing, and there are models that have a dual flush mode so either a full or a half flush can be chosen.
Get a water butt
Gardeners can often be over-enthusiastic when watering the garden and on many occasions use far too much mains water, which is not good for plants and is wasteful and expensive. Setting up a large capacity water butt to catch rainfall is a great way to use the natural bounty from the sky. Setting up a pipe system to direct rainfall from the guttering should help keep the butt brimming and once again the water bills are reduced, as this free manna from heaven can be distributed around the garden. If a water butt is not feasible it may worth investing in a drip irrigation system of the type used in very dry countries.
Renew a water heater
Traditional water tank heaters are expensive to run so it’s worth considering investing in a water heater that does not store the hot water, heating it only when needed. Many modern domestic central heating boilers are designed to do this. Some estimates suggest energy savings of up to 50 percent could be achieved by heating tap water in this way.
Recycle gray water
A gray water recycler is a bigger investment but is an excellent way to help the environment. Gray water is the waste from showers, baths and sinks that can be recycled for non-drinking uses, such as flushing toilets and watering the garden. Many new buildings have these systems installed when they are constructed. Architects, designers and water companies are constantly looking for better ways to use and reuse water.
Use a water-filtering pitcher for drinking
Bottled water is expensive and the bottles have to be thrown away. They can be recycled but a lot go to landfill, which is wasteful and environmentally bad practice. A filtering pitcher uses tap water and can be kept cold in the fridge in a reusable bottle.
We now live in a world where resources of all kinds are becoming scarcer. It is imperative that we all start to take responsibility and look for ways in which we can reduce our personal impact on the environment. Using and wasting less water is an area in which everyone can help by installing environmentally friendly plumbing systems.
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