Looking for ways to save money around the house? What about wanting to conserve water? According to a Government Accountability Report, 40 out of 50 state water managers expect water shortages under average conditions in some portion of their states over the next decade. There are many upgrades to your plumbing appliances and fixtures that can help you save water and money.
WaterSense
From the EPA’s website. Look for the WaterSense label for water-efficient products.
Each American uses an average of 88 gallons of water a day at home. That’s a lot of water! WaterSense, a voluntary partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is both a label for water-efficient products and a resource for helping you save water. WaterSense labels products that are 20% more water-efficient and perform as well as, or better, than standard models.
Water-Efficient Showerheads
Did you know the standard showerheads us 2.5 gallons of water per minute? Replacing showerheads with WaterSense labeled models can reduce the average family’s water and electricity costs by $70 and can save the average family more than 2,700 gallons of water per year, equal to the amount of water needed to wash 88 loads of laundry. These water savings will reduce demands on water heaters, so they’ll also save energy. The average family could save more than 370 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power a house for 13 days, with a water-efficient showerhead.
Tankless Water Heaters
Having a tankless water heater can help save water, energy, money and space. Tankless water heaters continually heat water instantaneously as you require it, and only when you require it. Changing to a tankless system eliminates wasted water and results in typical savings of at least 15-20% on the hot water portion of your electric bill. Plus, tankless water heaters take up considerably less space than conventional tank type water heaters and saves valuable living space.
Low-Flow Faucets
Did you know we can save as much as 3,000 gallons of water per year if we turn off the tap while brushing our teeth? But did you also know there are products that can help save water when you turn on the tap too? WaterSense has faucets and faucet accessories that will help reduce water use in your home and save money on water bills. They use a maximum of 1.5 gallon per minute and can reduce a sink’s water flow by 30% or more from the standard flow of 2.2 gallons per minute without sacrificing performance.
InSinkErator’s Instant Hot Water Dispenser
The InSinkErator Instant Hot Water Dispenser saves time and adds elegance to the kitchen. Near-boiling water at your fingertips is perfect for quickly preparing hot water, instead of waiting forever for the water to heat up as you watch water (and money) drain down the sink. The 1/3 gallon tank can deliver up to 40 cups of 190 degree Fahrenheit water per hour. Plus, you’ll be saving on gas and electricity by having water almost at its boiling point when you go to cook.
High-Efficiency Toilets
When’s the last time you upgraded your toilet? Toilets are the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly 30% of an average home’s indoor water consumption. Older toilets that use as much as 6 gallons per flush also happen to be a major source of wasted water in many homes. Recent advancements have allowed toilets to use 1.28 gallons per flush or less, while still providing equal or superior performance. That makes toilets one of the best plumbing upgrades to save water. By replacing old, inefficient toilets with WaterSense labeled models, the average family can reduce water used for toilets by 20 to 60%. That’s nearly 13,000 gallons of water savings for your home every year! They could also save more than $110 per year in water costs, and $2,200 over the lifetime of the toilets.
It’s Time For Some Upgrades!
Saving water and money is a no brainer. To get set up with more water-efficient and money saving plumbing upgrades, go ahead and give us a call at 941-778-0773 to schedule an appointment, or to ask questions you may have about different products and options. Our customer service reps would be more than happy to help you!