Upgrade to Eco-Friendly Appliances and Fixtures to Celebrate Earth Day

Make Your Home More Environmentally Friendly With These Plumbing Fixtures and Appliances

There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day, from wearing green to participating in a global hour of no power. But if there ever was the best way to celebrate it, then it would have to be making actual changes in our lifestyles to ensure that our choices reflect our commitment to a more healthy environment. Upgrading home appliances and plumbing fixtures to eco-friendly ones rank among the top changes that positively impact the environment. 

A Nod to Water Conservation

It’s easy to save water at home using the right appliances and fixtures. Older model toilets, faucets, and showerheads used to gulp down water in gallons per minute, making their presence in the home costly in water wastage and expense. But they aren’t like that anymore. Homeowners looking to upgrade these fixtures would be happy to know that most of the toilets, faucets, and showerheads available today are now made to consume the least water possible without reducing performance.

A low-flow showerhead, for example, can reduce water consumption from an average of 3.5 gallons per minute to just between 1.5 and 2 gallons per minute. That’s a reduction of almost half what an older model used to consume. Experts say most homes can save up to 2,900 gallons of water annually on just one low-flow showerhead. Multiplied by the number of showers per home in all the homes across America, this switch has a major impact on our planet’s dwindling water supply.

A water-saving toilet has nearly the same impact. At just 1.28 gallons per flush, a WaterSense-labeled toilet is geared towards saving homes an average of 13,000 gallons of water per year, or a reduction of 20 to 60 percent from what an inefficient toilet consumes. What’s more, homeowners also have the option of choosing a dual-flush toilet. These kinds of toilets have two flush modes - one uses the full amount of water to flush solid waste, and the other uses about half the full amount and is intended for flushing liquid waste. Either option - a water-saving toilet or a dual flush toilet - is a water conservation win-win for the homeowner and the environment.

Touchless faucets are another great way to save water at home. Using sensors to detect when a hand is near the spout, a touchless kitchen or bathroom faucet allows homeowners to open and close the faucet valve effortlessly. This saves water since homeowners often forget to shut off their faucets while doing simple tasks like washing hands or dishes. A touchless faucet removes the burden of always keeping this water-saving tip in mind.

Moving Towards Greater Energy Efficiency

Aside from using less water, most home appliances like water heaters and washing machines are now made to be more energy efficient. The right water heater for one, can cost less to operate, use up less water and energy, and can be eligible for tax credits. Choosing one isn’t difficult either. Energy-saving heaters are rated by their energy factor or EF, which measures the amount of hot water they can produce with a specific amount of energy per day. The higher the EF number, the more efficient it is. 

Washing machines are also considered energy efficient when they save water, electricity, detergent, and money by performing at lower temperatures for longer periods. It is easy to spot these eco-friendly washing machines. They usually carry an energy label of A, B, or C, depending on how economical their wash cycle is.

Eco-Friendly Piping Can Make a Difference

Another unusual water and energy savings source is a home’s piping system. While this one is harder to upgrade if homeowners do have the opportunity to choose their piping system, experts recommend taking into consideration the pipe size or diameter that is right for their home, its layout, and whether they are insulated or not, since insulated pipes use less energy by reducing heat loss.

About E.R. Services  

E.R. Services offer reliable plumbing services in the community of Charlotte, NC. With 24/7 emergency services available after hours, on weekends or holidays offered at no extra cost, it is no wonder homeowners are highly satisfied with their service. Their experienced and highly-trained technicians use cutting-edge technology to provide no mess and even contact-free service. Call them today for all plumbing services in Charlotte, NC.

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