Thanks to the continued development of plumbing industry technology, a wealth of plumbing fixtures designed to reduce water consumption and energy usage have become readily available in recent years. Here are a few of the latest trends in energy-efficient plumbing:
High-efficiency toilets
In the interest of water conservation, most Bay Area cities and towns offer rebates of up to $200 for replacing old toilets with approved, high-efficiency toilets (HET). Toilets that qualify as HET are defined as fixtures that flush at least 20 percent below the U.S. maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush (this includes dual-flush toilets, which have two separate flush volume options). HET will be the industry standard by 2014, so consider having your toilets replaced now while city rebates are still available.
Tankless water heaters
Advancements in plumbing technology have also paved the way for homeowners to save money by conserving the amount of energy used to provide hot water. Whereas conventional water heaters consume energy around the clock to keep water hot, new tankless models heat water only when it’s needed. Not only does a tankless water heater save the average household about $146 per month, it also takes up far less space than a conventional model.
Faucets
Switching out your old faucets and shower fixtures with new ones can create significant savings on your water bill. The standards haven’t changed much in recent years, but if your home has old fixtures, test them to see if they comply with the current standard of 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) for kitchen faucets and showerheads, and 2 gpm for bathroom faucets. Commercial establishments should take advantage of sensor/metered faucets to maximize savings and conservation—by 2014, all public-use hand sink faucets will be required to use 1 gpm or less.
Washing machines/dryers/HVAC systems
You can take advantage of several rebates by switching to Energy Star High Efficency (HE) rated products. Consult your plumber or local supplier to help you choose a product that will best fit your needs.
