Eco-Friendly Plumbing

The world we live in keeps changing, unfortunately for the worse in so many aspects. The main reason for this is human activity, i.e. our lack of awareness and action regarding environment protection. At least, that is the case with so many people around the world, who are still preoccupied with their own personal problems and don’t want to look at the big picture and do their part when it comes to protecting the planet.

Still, there are some encouraging signs. For example, homeowners have started looking into the ways of having eco-friendly homes and they are constantly improving the energy-efficiency of their properties to their own benefit and benefit of the whole planet. Since water is the most precious natural resource without which there is no life, particular attention needs to be paid to water usage and management. So, how can we go about this issue?

Why is eco-friendly plumbing important?

Chances are we will face serious problems unless we utilize water efficiently. Though more than two-thirds of the Earth’s surface are covered with water, potable water is still a major issue in some many parts of the world. Water gets polluted easily and if we don’t take some serious action, our health will be seriously jeopardized. Apart from our oceans, seas, rivers and lakes, we also have to look after wastewater and try to utilize rainfall as much as possible, so that we don’t have to rely on the water provided by local water-supply companies.

Start from plumbing

Examine your existing water pipes first and check there are no leaks and that no water is wasted. Next, reconsider the choice of materials. Depending on the climate, you may prefer steel pipes, which are durable and can hold heat well or PEX pipes, which are more modern, but equally efficient. Consult an expert if you’re not sure your pipes are functioning well. Finally, if you can’t replace the pipes, make sure you provide sufficient insulation so that you reduce heat loss and protect the pipes.

Replacement might be necessary

Every plumbing element that is not functioning perfectly well should be replaced to avoid wasting water and paying more. Even if everything seems to be running smoothly, you need to consider making some changes that would lead to more efficient hot water plumbing. For instance, if you notice that you are spending too much energy heating the water, look into the options for replacing the existing system with a more eco-friendly and cheaper alternative, such as solar panels or gas heaters.

Outdoor plumbing

Many people neglect the fact that the outdoor plumbing is as important as the indoor one. This is particularly true if you have plants or lawns around your home since they need to be watered regularly and you simply can’t rely on the weather. One solution is to install a drip water system, but you can also use a timer, which would help you become economical with water. Ideally, you would install rain barrels to catch water runoff from the roof gutters. Such water is perfect for your garden You shouldn’t just focus on the indoors in your effort to move to eco-friendly plumbing. Outdoor plumbing uses just as much water.

Do your research

You can now find so much information about how you can save water and a lot of these tips don’t require major investments, but they most certainly pay off relatively quickly. For example, dual-flush toilets are not a common thing and so are water saving showerheads. People are also abandoning old water heaters in favour of tankless ones since they use less energy.

Don’t be afraid of asking your local plumber if they provide eco-friendly solutions, our research online found only a few plumbers directly advertised eco-friendly solutions, however when we called a small number of plumbers including ADP Toronto Plumbing we found almost all plumbers offered an array of suitable solutions.

Making your home eco-friendly is not as difficult as you may think. Plus, you don’t only help the environment by using its resources sensibly, but you can also save a lot of money on your water and electricity bills. So, it’s a win-win situation and the opportunity to create it should not be missed.

About The Author

Article written for WhosGreenOnline.com by, Lillian Connors: If one thing is true about Lillian Connors, her mind is utterly curious. That’s why she can’t resist the urge to embark on a myriad of green living/home improvement projects and spread the word about them. She cherishes the notion that sustainable housing and gardening will not only make us far less dependent on others regarding the dwellings we inhabit, but also contribute to our planet being a better place to live on.