Water conservation programs are popping up around the country. Is it time for your approach to go beyond the basics?
Water-saving washers and dishwashers. High-efficiency and dual-flush toilets. Eco performance showerheads and faucets. All are well-established components of water conservation programs – and have proven effective for builders large and small. For instance, KB Home, the first national builder to partner with EPA’s WaterSense program, has used water-saving fixtures and appliances to reduce water consumption in its homes by 20 percent.
While a 20 percent savings is impressive, some builders are finding creative ways to save even more. There is potential for big savings, for example, by rethinking the home’s interior plumbing infrastructure and reducing the need for lawn irrigation.
Creative Plumbing
Tankless water heaters. A tankless water heater will be most effective if it’s placed as close to the point of use as possible. “Sometimes you might need two instead of one,” according to John Barrows, a Long Island-based green builder, and co-author of “Green Building for Dummies.”
Shorter pipe runs. Centrally locating a conventional water heater can reduce hot water piping. With less heat loss as water travels through the pipe, users won’t run the water as long while waiting for it to heat up.
Recirculating systems. A hot-water recirculating system uses a pump to quickly move hot water from the tank to the tap, while simultaneously sending cooled water back to the tank. One potential downside, according to Barrows, is that the system can be an energy drain if it’s left on all the time. He suggests adding timers, motion detectors, or a simple switch “so you can turn the system on like you turn on the lights.”
Tags: graywater, rainwater harvesting, tankless, water conservation, water efficient
This entry was posted on Friday, July 23rd, 2010 at 3:41 pm under Plumbing Tips. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.