Arizona is no stranger to dry weather, often resulting in local drought warnings and higher water bills. As a homeowner, investing in water-saving plumbing upgrades is one of the most effective ways to conserve water. These upgrades not only help reduce your monthly costs but also contribute to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
1. Low-Flow Fixtures
One of the most effective ways to reduce household water consumption is by installing low-flow fixtures. A simple approach is to upgrade your showerheads and faucets.
These fixtures are designed to maintain strong water pressure while using less water. They achieve this by incorporating specialized aerators that mix air with the water, creating a pressurized stream that feels just as powerful but uses significantly less water.
For instance, replacing older bathroom faucets with WaterSense-labeled models can save the average family nearly 11,000 gallons of water annually. Similarly, low-flow showerheads typically use 2.0 gallons per minute or less. This can reduce a household’s water use by up to 2,900 gallons per year. By making these upgrades, you can reduce your water bill and help conserve vital water resources, which is especially important in dry climates like Arizona.
2. Motion-Sensor Faucets
Another great option for reducing water consumption is installing motion-sensor faucets. These are especially useful in places like the kitchen or bathroom, where hands-free operation can enhance convenience and water efficiency.
These faucets are equipped with built-in sensors that detect movement, automatically turning the water on when they sense your hands or another object nearby. When you move away, the faucet shuts off, ensuring water isn’t wasted.
Over time, motion-sensor faucets can significantly reduce water use. This is especially true when you forget to turn off the tap, such as when your hands are full. In addition to saving water, these faucets also help keep your sink area cleaner, as there’s less direct contact with the faucet handle.
3. High-Efficiency Toilets
If you’re still relying on toilets that are over 40 years old, they can use between five and seven gallons of water per flush. Modern-day standard toilets use around 1.6 gallons per flush. Just upgrading your outdated toilets can drastically reduce your water usage. You can take it a step further by getting a high-efficiency toilet that uses 1.28 gallons per flush.
4. Hot Water Recirculation Pump
It can be really annoying waiting for hot water to flow from your faucet when you first turn it on. If you’re like most, you simply let the cold water run down your drain until it heats up. That’s a lot of water waste that you can save with a hot water recirculation pump. This pump will constantly circulate the water in your hot water lines through your water heater. This will guarantee you get hot water as soon as you turn on your faucet.
5. Graywater Recycling System
Graywater is the wastewater that flows from sinks, showers, bathtubs, and appliances, while water from toilets is classified as black water. Unlike black water, graywater is safe to reuse for outdoor activities such as watering your garden or irrigating your lawn.
With a graywater recycling system, you can efficiently reroute this water from your home to be used in these tasks. Some plants, particularly drought-tolerant species, even thrive on the additional nutrients found in graywater.
6. Drip Irrigation System
Traditional sprinkler irrigation systems can use a lot of water. A water-conscious alternative is a drip irrigation system. Instead of sprinkler heads, this system uses a flat hose with multiple holes. Water will actively drip out the holes to provide water directly to the plant’s roots. This works to reduce the runtime of your irrigation system as you’re only watering where your plant needs it. You’re also not losing water from things like runoff and evaporation.
7. ENERGY STAR Appliances
Another option for reducing your household’s water usage is to purchase ENERGY STAR-certified appliances. These use much less water and energy than standard appliances. You can upgrade your laundry machine, dishwasher, and even your water heater.
8. Smart Leak Detection System
Hidden plumbing leaks can contribute to your yearly water usage. One surefire way to prevent wasting water through these hidden leaks is with a smart leak detection system. This system has multiple water sensors you’ll need to place by your water-using appliances, sinks, and showers. If the sensor is part of a smart plumbing system and detects a water leak, it will automatically shut off the water to that location to prevent water damage. You’ll even get an alert sent to your smartphone to inform you of the problem so you can repair the issue promptly.
9. Harvest Rainwater
While Arizona doesn’t always get a constant downpour during the dry season, it does experience a few days a month of rain. A rainwater harvesting system can be a feasible option to retain water that you can later use for outdoor activities, like watering your garden. The more rainwater you accumulate, the less water you’ll need from your home’s plumbing system.
10. Smart Water Meter
A smart water meter is an innovative tool that provides real-time data on your home’s water usage. With this device, you can track how much water is being used at any given time, helping you identify consumption patterns and pinpoint areas where you may be wasting water. By gaining insights into your daily water use, you can make informed decisions about how to reduce your consumption. For instance, being aware of how much water they use during daily activities, like showering, may encourage family members to adopt more environmentally friendly habits.
11. Sink-to-Toilet Combos
A new innovative plumbing upgrade that can reduce your water consumption is a sink-to-toilet combo. This plumbing innovation has a sink you can use for things like washing your hands or brushing your teeth. The sink’s graywater flows into the adjoining toilet’s tank. When you flush the toilet, its bowl refills with the graywater from your sink. You can use your toilet without paying for any extra water.
12. Pressure-Reducing Valve
High-pressure water out of your faucet will use more water than normal water pressure over the same amount of time. Furthermore, high-pressure water can take a toll on your plumbing fixtures and piping, shortening their lifespans.
To help conserve water and protect your plumbing system, consider installing a pressure-reducing valve (PRV). This valve is typically installed on your main water supply line and works by reducing the water pressure to a more optimal and safe level. By regulating the pressure, a PRV can minimize water waste and extend the lifespan of your plumbing system.
Contact Your Local Professionals
At AZ Family Plumbing, our plumbers have been serving the residents of Glendale, AZ and the surrounding areas for over 25 years. We can help you improve your plumbing system’s efficiency by installing water-conserving features such as low-flow fixtures and upgrading your appliances. Additionally, you can count on us for all your plumbing repair, replacement, and maintenance needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced professionals.
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