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Making your home eco-friendly offers a number of key benefits. First, it is good for the planet – you are doing your part to make the plant a little less full of carbon. In addition, making some changes could actually help to save you money, giving you the ability to save money on your energy bills and even some repair bills down the road. If you can avoid paying expensive water bills by getting helpful water-saving tips from a plumber, it just makes sense to do so.
Here are some key ways that you can make your home more environmentally friendly. These are an excellent place to get started. You may be able to make some of these changes right away, creating instant benefits for your home.
#1: Start with Water Savings with Your Plumber
Water is one of the most important natural resources and, unfortunately, one of the least likely to be a focus for many homeowners. However, saving water means saving money and protecting the planet. Here are some straightforward methods that can help you::
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.
- Cut down on the length of showers.
- Run full loads in the dishwasher.
- Be sure to call your plumber about any leaking faucet.
- Get running toilets repaired by your plumber, too.
- Install faucets and showerheads that use reduced flow.
Each one of these changes will improve your home’s overall water usage. Any time you turn on the water, be conscious about the costs for doing so. Take steps to prevent any type of loss possible.
#2: Install Efficient Heating Systems
There are many options available for heating (and cooling) your home. Some people are benefiting by making the switch to solar power. Others are using geothermal power. Both of these options can significantly reduce the cost of heating or cooling your home. They do require an initial investment to get them in place, but many property owners have found that this is far more affordable than it used to be.
In short, these methods use natural resources that are replenishable – geothermal heat and solar energy. That means we are not using any type of carbon-producing fuel to keep your home at just the right temperature. Consider working with a team to help you find out how much savings your home can see from these investments.
#3: Switch Up Your Hot Water Heater
Hot water heaters are one of the most common appliances that use a significant amount of power. Consider the concept. A large amount of water is stored in a tank. That water cannot drop below the ideal temperature. To do that, it is important for the tank to have consistent heat present. That means the heating elements have to work almost constantly to ensure the water remains the same temp.
There are several options that can help here. Your plumber can help you install a new plumbing system with an on-demand water heater. These can work well to lower your heating costs because they do not have a large tank. Rather, the water is heated just when you pull it – and just when you need it. That reduces the need for ongoing fuel usage.
You can also install a more efficient hot water heater. Many of the latest models significantly reduce how much energy they require, reducing the amount of money they cost you. An energy-efficient model can also be a bit more affordable to install than on-demand water heating systems or tankless systems, as they are known. It’s a good idea to speak to your plumber about the options that are right for your home.
#4: Keep Your Appliances Running Properly
Is your refrigerator constantly out of the right temperature zone? Do you find that your oven takes longer to heat up? These are indications that these systems may not be operating at their best. One of the easiest ways to save money is to invest in preventative maintenance and routine maintenance. This helps to ensure your systems are operating with the most efficiency possible. This reduces how much work the motors need to do to keep your appliances functioning the way they should.
#5: Make Small Decisions Around the Home
Sometimes, the biggest impact you can have on making your home more eco-friendly is in the small changes. Here are some key changes that make a big difference:
- Keep your fridge coils clean.
- Keep your heating system’s filters clean – change them every month during high usage.
- Make the switch to LED lightbulbs, which last longer and are efficient.
- Place window treatments in your home that have the insulating quality to keep the cold out.
- Invest in power strips for your appliances to plug into so you can just unplug the strip to turn them all off.
- Keep your gutters and roof in good condition. If you need to replace your roof, use the most energy-efficient materials available.
- Invest in houseplants which work as a natural way to keep the air quality high.
- Make the switch to non-hazardous chemicals in your home.
Make your home smart, too. You can work with your electrician and plumber to set up your appliances with your smart home system. This can help you to monitor and control appliances from a distance. Moisture control sensors in the basement can let you know when there is a potential flood or leak. The installation of a smart thermostat can help you to avoid overheating or cooling your home when no one is around.
Each one of these steps can help to make your home a bit more environmentally friendly, reducing your costs along the way. Work with the pros in your community to find the right solutions for your home.
Call Your Plumber for Immediate Help and for Plumbing Solutions
Turning to your plumber for help making your home more eco-friendly may not be your first thought. But our team here at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain provides comprehensive solutions to help you. You can count on one of our friendly plumbers for support and the one-on-one help you need.
