5 water-saving plumbing fixtures

If you care about conserving water or reducing your water bill, then you should care about keeping your fixtures up-to-date.

1. Recirculating hot water systems work by essentially installing a separate pipe for hot water so that your heater spends less energy and time heating water being pushed through to your faucet. This can be a bit of a pricey upgrade compared to the other suggestions on this list, but you do benefit from decreasing your wait time for water to heat up, too.
2. High-efficiency toilets (HETs) can be huge water-savers depending on the toilet they replace. Some older models of toilets were so inefficient that they needed 6 or 7 gallons of water per flush, but many modern HETs can get the job done with less than 1.5 gallons per flush!
3. Water-saving faucets are a self-explanatory upgrade. Most of the top-of-the-line faucets are tap aerators that work by introducing air flow to the water, which reduces the amount of water needed without compromising on the amount you feel. Look for the WaterSense label if you are buying the faucet yourself, and you can reduce water tap usage by 30%!
4. Performance showerheads work along the same lines of water-saving faucets. According to the EPA, the average family could save 8 gallons of water a day by swapping to using a modern efficient showerhead. Look for a WaterSense label!
5. PRVs (pressure-reducing valves) can help save not just water, but also on energy and maintenance costs. Slowing down water flow with a PRV can reduce the erosion of pipes and increase the speed it takes for water to heat up. This may not be applicable to all homes, but if you frequently see small leaks, hear knocking in your pipes, or feel too much water bursts out of your tap when at the sink, then you should get a PRV.

Installing any of these fixtures takes some expertise. And if you want help in your effort to go green and save money, then call (440) 283-9377 to get in touch with Ohio Buckeye Plumbing, a family company with over twenty years under their belts.

• Published at April 23, 2022
• Category: Plumbing Faucets