7 Plumbing Upgrades to Help You Save Water

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Conserving water is always a good idea, regardless of whether your end goal is to create a greener home or simply save on your monthly water bill.  

We all know how to save water at home: taking shorter showers, turning off the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving, checking your pipes for leaks, and – of course – the importance of plumbing maintenance. These basic methods work, but you shouldn’t stop there.  

With the many innovations in water conservation technology, it has now become much easier for home and business owners to drastically reduce their water consumption without sacrificing efficiency.  

Here are seven plumbing upgrades worth considering:  

1. High Efficiency Toilets  

Are you planning to remodel your home or renovate your bathroom? If your bathrooms are not fitted with low-flow toilets yet, this would be the perfect time to upgrade. Low-flow toilets use 20 to 60 percent less water than standard models. An average family may save more than 80 liters of water per year by switching to a low-flow toilet.  

Another even better option is the dual-flush toilet, which uses even less water than the typical low-flow variety. Dual-flush toilets have two buttons, giving the user the choice to flush two different amounts, depending on the type of waste. Though they cost more than low-flow toilets, the money you save over time will more than make up the difference.

2. Low-Flow Sink Faucets  

If you are looking for an easy yet very effective approach to save water, upgrade the old and worn-out faucets in your kitchen and bathroom. Older faucets tend to use more water than they need to.  

You don’t have to upgrade all your faucets at once, only the ones you frequently use. Low-flow faucets reduce the amount of wasted water by limiting how much water passes through. A regular faucet uses about 2.2 gallons of water per minute, whereas low-flow models only use around 1.5 gallons. That’s more or less 30% savings in water usage, which could add up to hundreds of gallons in a year.  

3. Low-Flow Showerheads  

Like old toilets, old showerheads are also a major source of water waste. Most showerheads consume 2.5 liters of water every minute but upgrading to a low-flow model can reduce this by as much as 40% without compromising water pressure and performance.  

There are two types of low-flow showerheads from which you can choose. First, the aerating showerhead, which softens the water spray while maintaining high water pressure to save water usage. Second, the non-aerating showerhead, which conserves water by putting low amounts of water into tiny holes to produce a high-pressure water spray.  

In addition, low-flow showerheads will not only reduce your water consumption but save you money on energy bills as well because you will need less hot water every time you shower.  

4. Pressure-Reducing Valves  

Most home wastewater is due to excessive water pressure in the pipes. Although 70 psi is the standard pressure for plumbing systems, 35 psi is more than adequate for most homes.  

PRVs or pressure-reducing valves allow you to control the water pressure that goes into your pipes. During one of your routine plumbing maintenance checks, ask your plumber to check for water pressure and install a PRV if necessary. Doing so will not only help you save water but prolong the life of your pipes as well.  

5. Hot Water Recirculating Systems  

A hot water recirculating system sends hot water to your shower or faucet on demand. It delivers hot water much faster than water heaters, which keeps you from wasting the cold water as you wait for it to get hot. This technology has been around for some time, but they were mostly used in buildings and hotels. Lately, however, there were newer versions, fit for use in residential settings.  

Installing a hot water recirculating system is relatively easy. Depending on the laws of your state, having one at home may even qualify you for a tax break.

6. Green Sprinkler System  

One of the leading contributors to water waste in the United States is inefficient landscape irrigation. Because of this, both residential and commercial properties are recommended to use automated sprinkler systems in lieu of the traditional manual models.  

Automated sprinkler systems can be set to water the lawn or garden at night when there’s little heat and water is less likely to evaporate. Most automated sprinklers feature a timer that turns off the system after a specific amount of time, while even more sophisticated versions are equipped with a weather-monitoring function. These advanced sprinklers can predict precipitation levels and disperse water as needed.  

7. Sewer Line and Pipe Upgrades  

All these upgrades will not be as effective if the rest of your property’s plumbing is not up to speed. Upgrading old and corroding pipes will save you money and ensure that water is flowing into your home without any problems.  

It can be very expensive to replace old pipes and, of course, you may choose not to upgrade the ones that are old but still in good condition. If parts of your plumbing are leaking or have developed pipe bellies, however, it is imperative that you replace these sections with brand new pipes.    

Water-efficient plumbing and fixtures are not only good for the environment; they’re good for your wallet as well. If you have not updated your plumbing for a very long time, you might as well be flushing money every time you use your toilet or the sink.  

Some plumbing modifications will require a significant investment, but they will pay for themselves in no time, mostly through energy and water savings. Moreover, these upgrades can also help increase the value of your home while improving its functionality. It’s a win-win situation you can’t afford to miss!  

Are you thinking about updating your plumbing system to reap its many benefits? Contact a trusted plumbing company in your area. A professional plumber can help you find out your best and most durable options, and make sure they are installed correctly.      

About the author

Rachel Watson is the Senior Content Editor of Precision Air & Plumbing, a full-service HVAC, plumbing, and home performance contractor operating in Chandler, Arizona. Rachel enjoys yoga and writing articles about how to make home living more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.