Having an energy-efficient home can do wonders for you. Not only are you saving money in your wallet but you’re also helping the environment. Most people don’t think of their plumbing fixtures when they’re trying to conserve energy. However, updating your plumbing system and other appliances such as a washer or dryer can do a lot for your home. There’s nothing more frustrating than using an old dryer and seeing the amount of energy it uses. Seeing a leaky faucet on your kitchen sink can also be frustrating too, and the longer you wait the costlier it can become. Ultimately, you can see hundreds of dollars going down the drain over time if you don’t update your plumbing fixtures.
Papalia and New Plumbing Fixtures
No one likes dealing with outdated features, especially when it comes to your plumbing system and other appliances. Even though they may seem minor, they can create a giant headache for you. High utility bills are also no fun, which why here at Papalia, we want to help. Our expert plumbers know what it takes to save you money and we’re always looking out for our customers. We know what it means to decrease your carbon footprint, and one way to do that is to update your old plumbing fixtures. You can trust us when it comes to knowing what is best for your home, which is why we take the time to explain to you the fixtures that may be hurting your wallet.
Leaky Pipes and Faucets
A classic problem that a lot of homeowners tend to deal with. A leaky faucet can waste up to 20 gallons of water a day. Thousands of gallons of water, including hundreds of dollars, are being thrown down the drain each day you wait. Leaky pipes and faucets can also create mold spores, which are serious health hazards. Water damage can also become an issue and can end up costing you a ton of money if left untreated.
Low-Flow Showers
Two decades ago, low-flow shower heads were introduced as the newest plumbing fixture. Fast-forward twenty years later and the newest plumbing fixture for your shower are more pressure and less water. Before, your shower head as probably using five to eight gallons of water per minute. Today’s newest shower heads are only using 2.5 gallons of water per minute and low-flow shower heads use as little as 2 gallons per minute. That is a serious efficiency upgrade for your home.
Insulated Pipes
Even though it is a costly investment, it’s definitely worth it. Hot water heat can get lost along the way through outdated plumbing fixtures. Pipe insulation helps solve this problem. You can reduce the water heat temperature to 120 degrees or lower when you update your pipes and add insulation. If you’re dealing with new construction or a major remodel, then consider this plumbing fixture to help you in the long run.
Low-flow Faucets
Another plumbing fixture that is highly effective is low-flow faucets. Replacing your current sink with a low-flow faucet can help you save water without reducing water pressure. You can cut your water usage down from 2.5 gallons of water per minute to 1.5 gallons. This will ultimately save you up to 13,000 gallons of water for a year for the typical homeowner. This will translate into hundreds of dollars that you get to save as well. Another bonus? How about kitchen faucets that have built-in filtered water features? This will help you further cut down on your bottle water consumption, helping you save even more money from your newest plumbing fixture.
High-efficiency Toilets
A fun fact for you readers to think about. More than 40% of U.S. households use older toilets that use 3.5 or more gallons of water per flush. Even though we ignore our toilets unless something really goes wrong, newer toilets are an investment worth considering. Newer toilets use as little as one gallon per flush and even offer dual flushing capabilities. This is one of the latest plumbing fixtures that is one of the most energy efficient. Quick tip: Look for the Environmental Protection Agency’s “water sense” label. This will tell you whether a toilet has been tested for maximum flushing power all while saving thousands of gallons of water a tear.
Washer and Dryer
There are now washing machines that use up to 50% less water compared to older models. Modern dryers also are more efficient. They now dry clothes faster saving you much more on your utility bill. Older washer machines have a top-loading feature where water fill up from the bottom. This is considered wasteful nowadays—and washing full loads of laundry can save a lot more money.
Consider these plumbing fixtures and stop wasting your money—call Papalia Plumbing today for all new installations!
