With all the different ways that you can save money, it’s easy to overlook those in your own home. Plumbing upgrades are often ignored in terms of saving money, but these tips show you how to take advantage of the money-saving opportunities that are right under your nose! Here are 7 ways to save money with your plumbing upgrades.
1) Toilets
The first step in saving money with your plumbing upgrades is installing a water-efficient toilet. It will save thousands of gallons of water per year and add a sense of modern elegance to your bathroom. You may also want to consider dual-flush models, which let you choose between two different flush options based on how dirty your hands are or whether you need to dispose of anything other than waste. These can save up to 8,000 gallons of water each year!
2) Water Heaters
A water heater is one of those plumbing upgrades that can save you money in two distinct ways.
- First, a new tank-type water heater will pay for itself over time because you won’t have to replace it as often; and
- Second, a larger unit will provide you with hot water faster, meaning you’ll wait less time for your shower or hot tub after turning on your faucet. If cost isn’t an issue, buy big! If it is, consider replacing only part of your system. Either way you’ll be glad when you don’t have to call out a plumber for repairs every year or so.
3) Shower heads
A water heater is one of those plumbing upgrades that can save you money in two distinct ways. First, a new tank-type water heater will pay for itself over time because you won’t have to replace it as often; and second, a larger unit will provide you with hot water faster, meaning you’ll wait less time for your shower or hot tub after turning on your faucet. If cost isn’t an issue, buy big! If it is, consider replacing only part of your system. Either way you’ll be glad when you don’t have to call out a plumber for repairs every year or so.
4) Faucets
When you consider that two-thirds of a home’s water use is in bathing, washing dishes, and flushing toilets, it’s important to make sure your plumbing system is working at peak efficiency. Install high-efficiency shower heads, faucets and toilets. Consider replacing older toilets with low-flow faucet models—they can reduce your annual water usage by as much as 28%. An added bonus: They’re available for less than $100.
5) Saving Water
If you’re trying to save money on your water bill, consider adjusting your water pressure. Doing so will reduce how much water you use for every activity, from showering and washing dishes to watering your lawn. You can also look into getting a low-flow toilet; it uses just 1.6 gallons of water per flush compared to 3-5 gallons with older models. For more ways to save money with plumbing upgrades, keep reading!
6) Longer Lasting Appliances
The average water heater lasts around 10 years. While that may not seem like a long time, consider how much you spend on your hot water and all of those bills add up quickly. Installing a tankless hot water heater (also known as an on-demand unit) can save you a lot of money because they use less energy and last twice as long! Other appliances that last longer can be just as effective in terms of improving your bottom line; take dishwashers for example. They don’t cost too much to operate and give you more bang for your buck since they clean more dishes at once than a traditional washer.
7) Other Options
Replace, Replace and Replace: Replacing your toilet is perhaps one of the most straightforward plumbing upgrades you can make. A new model is often a great deal more efficient than your current toilet, meaning you’ll save money on water usage in no time. If you’re looking for another place to start saving water and money, give those faucets a once-over. Plenty of people pay top dollar for water without realizing how much they use (or how inefficiently they use it).
If you are looking for ways to save yourself $ over time on plumbing upgrades, get in contact with the Plumbing add-Ons and Upgrade experts at Bulldog Rooter to learn more about which upgrades may be best for your home or office!