Have you made it your mission to live an eco-friendly life and do your part in saving the planet? There is one area you may need to look into… your plumbing and home waterworks.
Making your house eco-friendly isn’t confined to just installing solar panels or growing your own veggies. Good plumbing will help meet your sustainability goals. Taking sustainable actions with your plumbing can involve everything from saving and reusing water to ensuring that the equipment and materials used are environmentally friendly and long-lasting.
8 ways your plumbing can be good for the planet:
1. Check and maintain existing plumbing equipment
Sustainable plumbing is about making things last and saving water, so one good habit is to practice regular maintenance for your plumbing. If you’re a beginner, start with the basics. Checks should include the following:
Visible taps and pipes (for leaks).
Hot water system (for pressure and rust).
Air-conditioning ducts (filters).
When everything is in good working order, you know your plumbing systems will work efficiently and use fewer resources.
2. Replace faulty equipment
If anything needs repair or renewal, replacing it with high-quality parts is better. Chances are you won’t have to replace it anytime soon, thus reducing wastage and increasing the reliability of your plumbing system.
Spending just $100 on taps from a big box department store is a bit like spending $2 on your kids’ toys at a discount store. It’s great to nab a bargain, and they look good, but they break down quickly and end up in the bin. Your bargain is not a bargain in the end. It’s much better to buy quality Australian brands made locally (fewer miles) that come with extensive guarantees and, even better, look great.
Consider using environmentally friendly plumbing components such as pipes made of sustainable materials that won’t deteriorate as quickly as their cheap and nasty equivalents.
3. Fix leaks and drips
A dripping tap can waste 12 litres of water a day. Every drop count, so checking for and repairing leaks from fixtures, toilet cisterns, and irrigation/watering systems is crucial to conserving water.
Common types of leaks are easily fixed and do not need a significant investment of time or money. Instead of tightening leaky showerheads, replace them with a water-saving, low-flow version at a minimal cost.
Suppose your toilet leaks from the cistern into the pan. Sometimes, fixing the problem or replacing the assembly of your plumbing isn’t enough. It’s better to turn a single-flush toilet into a dual-flush system for a bigger difference.
An excellent way to investigate if you have leaks is to check your water meter before and after two hours after water use. If the meter does not read the same, you know there’s a leak. Then you will need to investigate where the leak is coming from (this is where professional help is required).
4. Rethink your choice of appliances
Installing eco-friendly plumbing items is also better for your budget.
Changes can range from eco-friendly fixtures, such as water-saving toilets, efficient dishwashers, and washing machines.
For hot water systems, replacing your tank with a continuous flow hot water system or even a solar hot water system can help you save on your water and power use for your plumbing.
5. Water harvesting
Water harvesting allows you to collect rainwater runoff from various surfaces like roofs and driveways and store it for later use, including flushing toilets, watering the garden and washing cars. The good news is that rainwater tanks often attract incentives, such as council rebates, so check to see if you’re eligible.
If you’re looking to use this water in your household (to flush toilets, for example), remember that you’ll need a plumber to connect your rainwater tank to your household mains. Suppose your water wise ways are mature, and you want to use rainwater as drinking water. In that case, you must comply with government health and safety guidelines, which may involve a more complex system to filter and purify the water.
6. Install a solar hot water system
Installing a solar hot water system uses the sun’s clean energy from solar collectors mounted on your roof to heat your water. The heated water is transferred to a storage tank ready for use around the home like other hot water systems.
The best part? Solar hot water systems are subject to government rebates, so do your research to determine how much you will be entitled to on installation.
7. Recycle your greywater
How amazing would it be if you could reuse 70 per cent of your household water use?
Well, a greywater system does just that! It reuses water baths, showers and washing machines. The water can then be used to flush toilets and water the garden.
There are two types of greywater systems: treatment and diverters. A greywater diverter is a practical and economic system that will allow you to re-direct greywater from the sink and the laundry to water your garden via a sub-surface irrigation system without storing or treating it.
A plumbed-in treatment system, including a pump and treatment plant, is a long-term solution that will enable you to collect water to recycle and store water for use both within your home and in the garden. A treatment system ensures your water consumption is noticeably reduced.
Still, when combined with a rainwater harvesting system, you can drastically reduce your water consumption and make your property water efficient. You will need council approval for either, and a professional plumber must install it.
8. Hire a professional
Think about the plumber you’re hiring. Poor quality is not sustainable! Hiring a professional will save on reworkon your plumbing.
Eco-friendly plumbing can significantly contribute to water and energy conservation in your house. While long-term solutions may be more elaborate, with financial and regulatory considerations, the gains have measurable benefits for your water and energy bills and the planet. So, you can sit back and enjoy that extra hot bath longer! There’s no excuse not to act when quick wins are often small, simple and inexpensive.
If you want to contact us about how we can help you, call us at 1300 758 632.
If you need a professional plumber, our team at Plumfast is here to help with your plumbing. With our expertise and advanced tools, we can address all your plumbing needs efficiently and effectively. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and experience the benefits of a properly functioning plumbing system in your home or business.
Check out our latest blog Home Remedies vs. Professional Drain Cleaning: 12 Ways to Unclog Drains!
