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Tips for Building "Green" - Plumbing Fixtures
The vast amount of information available about building green can be overwhelming. To assist our customers in making environmentally sensitive decisions while building their new home, Donald A. Gardner Architects has compiled this handy FREE guide to building green.
Plumbing Fixtures
When building a new home, choose and install plumbing fixtures that will save both water and money. Here are a few suggested items to consider when you build your home. These products are energy efficient and help conserve water:
a) Tankless hot water systems: Tanked water heaters use a considerable amount of energy because they have to keep the tank of water hot all day, whether you need it or not. Tankless water heaters heat the water on demand as you use it, and require far less energy than a tanked water heater. An added benefit is that you will not run out of hot water because there is no tank to empty. Tankless water heaters are available in electric and gas models, and by installing one most homeowners will be eligible for a tax credit. If you decide to stick with a tanked water heater, look for the most energy-efficient model you can find.
b) Solar Water Heaters: If you heat water with electricity, have high electric rates, and have an unshaded, south-facing location (such as a roof) on your property, the US Department of Energy Efficiency urges you to consider installing a solar water heater. Solar units are environmentally friendly and can now be installed on your roof to blend in with the architecture of your house. According to their website (www1.eere.energy.gov), more than 1.5 million homes and businesses in the United States have invested in solar water heating systems, and surveys indicate over 94% of these customers consider the systems a good investment. Solar water heating systems are also good for the environment. Solar water heaters avoid the harmful greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity production. During a 20-year period, one solar water heater can avoid over 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. When shopping for a solar water heater, look for systems certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation or the Florida Solar Energy Center.
c) Low-flow showerheads: When it comes to getting clean, a shower is a more water-efficient option than a bath in most cases (the exception: showers with multiple shower heads and body sprays often use more water than filling an 80 gallon bath. While luxurious, they are not ‘green.’) To make your shower even more efficient install a low-flow showerhead. A standard showerhead averages 4.5 gallons per minute. Low-flow showerheads reduce water consumption to 2.5 gallons per minute or less. Manufacturers have found ways to reduce water use without sacrificing water pressure, so you won’t even notice the difference until you see your water bill, which could be up to $145 less per year.
d) Steam showers: If you want to take your bathroom water conservation one step further and add a spa-like element to the bath, consider installing a steam shower. A 20 minute steam bath uses less than half a gallon of water while relaxing muscles, opening pores, and increasing circulation. A quick rinse at the end finishes the process and uses far less water than taking an extra-long shower.
e) Dual flush/low flush toilets: New and improved high-efficiency toilets use less than 1.3 gallons per flush—that’s at least 60 percent less than their older, less efficient counterparts. Compared to a 3.5 gallons per flush toilet, a WaterSense labeled toilet could save a family of four more than $90 annually on their water bill, and $2,000 over the lifetime of the toilet. For even more efficiency consider a dual-flush toilet, which has two flush options – one for liquid waste and one for solids. The liquid waste flush on most models uses less than a gallon, while the solid waste flush is still under 1.3 gallons. A dual-flush toilet used properly will save even more money than a single-flush high-efficiency model.
f) Irrigation Systems: Consider an automatic rain shut-off switch for your sprinkler system. These inexpensive devices sense rain and turn the sprinkler off automatically to save water. If you want to go a step further, consider installing a rainwater harvesting system. These systems collect rainwater in a cistern or underground tank that can be pumped into the irrigation system to water the lawn later. Essentially, you are getting water for free.
g) Appliances: We explore appliances in detail in another section, but it is important to consider water conservation when choosing appliances, especially dishwashers and washing machines. EnergyStar rated appliances are more efficient than their standard counterparts in both energy usage and water conservation.
A word about soap: Soaps – bath, laundry, and dishwashing varieties – often contain chemicals and fragrances that can potentially harm the environment. With thousands of sudsy gallons getting washed down the drain annually, it’s important to consider the impact of the products we use on our bodies and to clean our clothes and dishes. One of the main offenders are phosphates, found in almost every type of soap commonly used. Phosphates aren’t bad for you, but they are a pollutant in the water system. They are a nutrient for plants, and when flushed into lakes or oceans they contribute hugely to the growth of algae, which robs the water of oxygen and proceeds to kill off high-oxygen species (like fish). Luckily there are many earth-friendly, plant-based cleaning products on the market that work as well or better than their chemical counterparts -- and benefit the earth as well.
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