What Are Eco-Friendly Plumbing Options?
The world is in a state of disaster. Some people refuse to believe it, and some people don’t realize how bad it actually is. But in reality, the environment of this planet is falling apart.
The earth has piles of garbage sitting in its oceans, air pollution destroying the ozone layer, and national forests being cut down. Therefore, the term “going green” has become a major initiative for many companies, governments, and households. Individuals hold much of the responsibility to take eco-friendly actions.
Though this may be intimidating, there are a few easy tactics that people can implement around their homes to make their day-to-day lives and actions more eco-friendly. It starts by implementing these green plumbing techniques.
Eco-Friendly Water Pipes
The material that water pipes are made of doesn’t matter to most people, as long as a leak or burst pipe doesn’t occur. However, the material used in water pipes does make a difference when it comes to going green.The most common material for building water pipes is PVC (polyvinyl chloride). These plastics are hard and very thick, making them difficult and expensive to recycle. When they are replaced in homes or thrown out during the manufacturing process, they end up adding to overflowing landfills.
The next most common materials used in water pipes are iron and copper. These metal pipes are easier to recycle than PVC pipes, which may make them seem like a better option. However, they take more energy to create than plastic pipes making them wasteful.
Because of the environmental inefficiencies of PVC, iron, and copper pipes, other plastic pipes, made from polyethylene and polypropylene, are starting to be introduced. These plastics can be easily recycled and are more energy-efficient to create, making them an eco-friendly option.
Efficient Bathroom Plumbing
There are always new gadgets and products being made for bathrooms, and many of them are built to be eco-friendly. For example, a high-efficiency toilet uses less than half the amount of water of other toilets. Rather than using 3.5-7 gallons of water per flush, these toilets only use about 1.25 gallons of water.
Switching to a low-flow showerhead can save gallons of water every day, without sacrificing the water pressure. Even simple tasks like taking shorter showers and shutting off the water while shaving or brushing teeth can save gallons of water every day. Not only do these acts help the environment, but they can save quite a bit of money on monthly water bills too!
Stop Outdoor Plumbing Leaks
Water leaks can happen unexpectedly, so it’s important to check for leaks and drips regularly inside and outside of the house. They end up wasting water and costing money!Though a faucet leak might only drip one drop of water per second, that can add up quickly to 7 gallons of water wasted every day.
The same is true for outdoor plumbing. Here’s one test for determining if a leak is coming from the indoor or outdoor plumbing system:
Turn off the main water valve and look at the meter. If the meter stops moving, the leak is coming from the indoor plumbing system.
However, if it is moving, the leak is coming from the outdoor plumbing system. If this is the case, it’s best to contact a plumbing professional to identify and fix the leak.
About Alberta Indoor Comfort
Alberta Indoor Comfort is Calgary’s one-stop-shop for plumbing, heating, cooling, air quality, accessibility, and home automation. They believe that a home should be a place that is fully functional and optimized for each homeowner’s specific needs. With timely service, upfront pricing, and personalized attention, their expert technicians are sure to satisfy customers every time.
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