4 Ways to Upgrade Your Home Plumbing for Maximum Eco-Friendly Results

If you have recently decided that you would like to reduce your carbon footprint, then you need to take a fresh look at your home’s plumbing system. Your current plumbing could be wasting huge amounts of water and energy, and you might be able to improve its efficiency with a few simple upgrades.

Low-Flow Fixtures

One of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your home’s water usage is to install low-flow fixtures. Those devices can be picked up at most home improvement centers, and you won’t need any special tools to install them. With each low-flow fixture that you install, you could save a few hundred gallons of water per year. You can also attach aerated heads to all of your faucets, but those devices aren’t as durable as high-efficiency fixtures.

Septic Tank

There are quite a few reasons why you might want to switch from a sewage line to a septic tank for your home. In addition to being better for the environment, they are also very easy to install. Most septic tank installations can be completed in a matter of days, and the overall cost is much lower than most people think. With regular cleaning and maintenance, your new septic tank could easily last for 30 or 40 years.

Salt-Free Water Softener

Many people don’t realize that hard water can actually reduce the efficiency of their appliances. Over time, the minerals that are found in hard water will clog filters, erode pipes, and damage gaskets. Salt-free water softeners are relatively inexpensive, and you won’t have to worry about buying huge bags of salt every few months. As an added bonus, a salt-free water softener is also going to extend the lifespan of your dishwasher and washing machine.

Tankless Water Heater

A traditional water heater keeps a large vat of water hot at all times, and that is very inefficient. Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, only heat the water as it is being used. If you have a larger family, then you might want to install multiple tankless water heaters throughout your home. Those devices are very small, and they can often be hidden away in cabinets and closets.

In addition to a  septic tank installation, low flow faucets, salt free softeners, and a tankless water heater, you should also address any slow leaks in your plumbing system. While a few drops of water per minute might not seem like a huge issue, that leak could end up wasting hundreds of gallons of water a year.