Here at Domco Plumbing, homeowners always look for ways to save money every month. Well, there’s no better way to start than setting your sights on wasteful plumbing fixtures! Changing to more efficient fixtures can save you money on your energy bills and your water bills at the same time! While potentially small, changes you make will add up over time and lead to significant savings over time. We’ll outline some of the areas with the most impact so you can bring those utility bills down.
Install Low Flow Shower Heads
Forget all the jokes you’ve heard in sitcoms about low-flow showerheads. We know that they have a reputation for ruining your water pressure. However, modern small flow fixtures use as little as 2.5 gallons per minute while still pumping out water at 80 psi. That means you can save hot water without losing water pressure. In addition, going low flow can reduce your water usage by 25%-60%, which means that the savings will pay off the cost of new fixtures quickly.
Install Low Flow Aerators on Faucets
Installing low-flow aerators is quick and inexpensive and could reduce your water usage by 50% at your tap. Standard aerators typically use 2 gallons per minute, while low-flow aerators only use 1 gallon per minute. This simple switch can save you anywhere from 2 to 16 gallons of water per day.
Insulate your Pipes to Reduce Heat Loss
Hot water can lose heat as it travels through cold pipes, so many homeowners have to turn the thermostat on their water heaters to compensate. This countermeasure wastes a lot of energy and can be fixed easily with inexpensive pipe insulation from your local hardware store. A little insulation around your hot water pipes can greatly reduce heat loss and your energy bill.
Give your Water Heater a Blanket
You enjoy a beautiful warm blanket when the weather gets cold, and so does your water heater. Pick up a water heater blanket from your local hardware store and make sure that your water heater is nice and cozy all year long. A lot of the inefficiency of tank-style water heaters comes from water in the tank losing heat and having to reheat the water again. Wrapping the tank in a blanket can reduce heat loss and make even your tank-style water heater a paragon of efficiency.
Need a Helping Hand Changing that Fixture? Give Us a Call!
We all love a good DIY project, but sometimes a project’s skill level can go a little above our abilities. For situations like these, call the professional plumbers here at Domco Plumbing. No matter what project you’re working on, we can help.
