How Do I Save Money on My Water Bill??
If you're like many people, you might not think much about your plumbing until you see a huge water bill or something goes wrong with your pipes. But did you know that there are ways for you to save money on your water bill, all while helping the environment and not dying of thirst? At First Priority Plumbing, we believe in not only fixing your plumbing issues but also helping you make environmentally friendly choices that keep your hard-earned dollars in your wallet. Let's dive into the world of affordable eco-friendly plumbing solutions and see how they can benefit both you and the planet.
Simple Solutions to Save on Plumbing
Eco-friendly plumbing solutions are designed to reduce water usage, lower energy consumption, and minimize environmental impact, all which can lead to you spending less on your home water bill. These solutions include using good habits, water-saving fixtures, energy-efficient appliances, and sustainable materials. By making a few changes, you can save money on your utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
Why Go Green with Plumbing?
1. Save Water
One of the biggest benefits of eco-friendly plumbing is water conservation. Did you know that, according to the EPA, the average American household uses about 300 gallons of water per day? Not sure what we use all that on, but that's a lot of water! In my own home of three people, we average just over 100 gallons per day. By switching to water-saving fixtures, you too can significantly reduce your water usage.
Low-Flow Showerheads and Faucets: Showerheads such as these fixtures use less water without sacrificing performance. A standard showerhead uses about 2.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm), while a low-flow showerhead uses only 1.5 gpm. That can save a family of four up to 2,900 gallons of water per year!
Dual-Flush Toilets: These toilets have two flush options—one for liquid waste and one for solid waste. This simple change can save thousands of gallons of water annually and your neighbors will be jealous of the newest fancy toilet on the street.
2. Install Efficient Appliances
While some eco-friendly plumbing solutions might have a higher upfront cost, they can ultimately save you money in the long run. Reduced water and energy usage translate to lower utility bills.
Water and Energy Savings: By installing water-saving fixtures and energy-efficient appliances, you can see significant savings on your monthly bills. New appliances are now commonly made to be extremely big helpers in reducing your water bill.
Tankless Water Heater: For example, switching to a tankless water heater can save you up to $100 per year on energy costs.
Clothes Washer: ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers use about 14 gallons of water per load, compared to standard washers that are known to use 20-30 gallons per load!
Dishwasher: Have an old dishwasher that is barely keeping your forks and spoons clean? It can also be wasting water and costing you money. An older dishwasher can use up to 15 gallons per load, while ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers can use as little as 5 gallons! And if you really like wasting your valuable time and money, you can wash your dishes by hand - at an average of 27 gallons of water. No thanks!
3. Create Water-Saving Habits
If Niagara Falls reminds you of your faucet, you’re in the right place. We’ve all got our bad habits, right? Yet with these simple habit changes, you can help put a dent in your water bill:
Take shorter showers - Let’s not get upset, we all love a nice long hot shower. Yet our soldiers in the Army take showers faster than it takes most of us to put our socks on, and they seem to be just fine. For our sake, don’t take less showers, but for your sake, take shorter showers!
Wash full loads of clothing - Don’t waste an entire wash cycle on your favorite t-shirt. Make sure you’ve got a full load in there to save some water!
Flushing your toilet - Pease don’t stop flushing your toilet after you’ve used it. Just make sure you’re not simply using it as a whirlpool trash can for tissues and other waste. Yet if you need to get rid of a dead spider, you’ve got our permission to flush that thing to kingdom come.
Reduce water usage - Brushing your teeth? Shut the water off. Cleaning a plate real quick? Medium-blast is just as good as full-blast.
4. Reduce Energy Consumption
Heating water accounts for about 18% of a home's energy use. By making smart choices, you can reduce the energy needed to heat your water.
Tankless Water Heaters: Unlike traditional water heaters that keep a large tank of water hot at all times, tankless water heaters only heat water when you need it. This can reduce energy consumption by up to 34% for homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily. For more details on how tankless water heaters work, you can visit energy.gov. Just don’t forget to come back and finish this article.
Solar Water Heaters: These systems use the sun's energy to heat water, reducing your reliance on electricity or gas. They can cut your water heating costs by 50-80%. Given that we live in the sunny Atlanta area, this can be a very good option for you.
5. Upgrade with Improved Piping & Fixtures
Traditional plumbing materials can sometimes release harmful chemicals into your home. Eco-friendly plumbing materials are safer for both your family and the environment, and are long-lasting so you can avoid spending money to replace them.
Non-Toxic Piping: PEX piping is a flexible, durable material that doesn't leach chemicals into your water supply. It's also more resistant to freezing and bursting than traditional pipes. One thing we see here in the Atlanta area is when the weather decides to take that rare dip under freezing temperatures, many homes simply aren’t equipped for it and frozen pipes burst, leading to large homeowner bills or insurance claims.
Lead-Free Fixtures: Not trying to scare you, but many older homes have plumbing fixtures that contain lead, which can leach into your water and pose serious health risks. Modern eco-friendly fixtures are lead-free and safer for your family, keeping you healthy and happy.
6. Government Credits & Rebates
Tax Credits and Rebates: Many states and utility companies offer incentives for installing eco-friendly plumbing solutions. Check with your local government to see what programs are available. In fact, right down the road from us the Cobb County Water System initiated a water efficiency program, where they saw their water usage drop dramatically from 126 gallons per person per day down to 113 gallons per person per day. Click to read more about what our Georgia local officials have been doing to promote saving water, which translates into you saving money!
Boost Your Home’s Value!
Eco-friendly upgrades can also increase the value of your home. Who doesn’t want that?! Potential buyers are often willing to pay more for a home with green features because they know it will save them money and reduce their environmental impact. By updating your home now, you will not only immediately start reaping the financial benefits, but you will potentially gain more as well if you sell your home. Disclaimer: it doesn’t count if you paint your home green.
How First Priority Plumbing Can Help
At First Priority Plumbing, we're people too. We’ve got budgets and personal expenses just like you. The less we spend on our plumbing, the more we have to spend on Falcons tickets. So just know: We are committed to save you money and help you make your home as eco-friendly as possible. Here's how we can assist:
1. Professional Consultation
Not sure where to start? Our experienced plumbers can assess your current plumbing system and recommend the best eco-friendly upgrades for your home. We'll help you understand the benefits and make informed decisions.
2. Expert Installation
While some of these solutions are DIY, installing eco-friendly plumbing solutions can at times require expertise to ensure everything works correctly and efficiently. Our team has the skills and experience to install low-flow fixtures, tankless water heaters, dual-flush toilets, and more. We guarantee our work and ensure you're completely satisfied.
3. Maintenance and Repairs
Keeping your eco-friendly plumbing system in top shape is crucial for maintaining its benefits. We offer regular maintenance services to keep everything running smoothly. If you ever encounter an issue, we're just a call away for prompt and reliable repairs. At any time, feel free to give us a call or shoot us a message!
4. Education and Support
We believe in empowering our customers with knowledge. We'll provide you with tips and resources to help you maximize the benefits of your eco-friendly plumbing solutions. From water-saving habits to maintenance advice, we've got you covered. Feel free to ask us questions! We enjoy sharing what we know.
We Have Real-Life Success Stories
Still not convinced? We have personally seen our customers save money by upgrading their water heaters, installing new fixtures, updating their appliances, kicking their teenage son out of the house, and more (kidding about the last one). From Winder to Lawrenceville to Duluth, we’ve got plenty of satisfied customers. Our hundreds of five-star reviews speak for themselves!
Take the Next Step
Ready to make the switch to eco-friendly plumbing solutions? Contact First Priority Plumbing & Drain today to schedule your consultation. We're here to help you save water, reduce energy consumption, and make your home a greener place.
Visit the rest of our website or give us a call at (470) 342-8007. Let's work together to create a sustainable future, one plumbing upgrade at a time!
Making eco-friendly plumbing choices is a smart move for both your wallet and the planet. By adopting these solutions, you'll enjoy numerous benefits while contributing to a healthier environment. And remember, First Priority Plumbing & Drain is here to guide you every step of the way. Let's make your home eco-friendly and efficient together!
