A home’s plumbing is something many households take for granted until there’s a problem. That said, residential plumbing has a significant role in modern quality of life. It’s also a substantial contributor to the upkeep and longevity of a home. With that in mind, let’s explore how homeowners are using advanced technologies to improve their comfort and lower their costs.
Anti-Scale and Water Softening Measures
The Department of Energy estimates that water heating represents nearly 20% of the average household’s annual energy expenditures. What many homeowners don’t know is that even moderately hard water can add to those costs considerably. Water hardness decreases water heater efficiency and lifespan.
There are two core solutions. An anti-scale device is local to the water heater and prevents calcium and magnesium from becoming scale. Water softeners soften the water and are whole-home systems. That means that they also protect your pipes, other water-using appliances, fixtures, and so forth.
Advanced Water Heating Technologies
Another way to improve your plumbing is to upgrade your water heater. Most U.S. homes use a traditional water heater with a 40- to 50-gallon tank. Tank water heaters are inherently inefficient because you pay to heat water that you’re not currently using. There are two notable alternatives.
The first is a tankless water heater. It heats hot water on demand, which is inherently more efficient. These systems do cost more upfront, but they save money long term. The other is a heat pump water heater. This is a specialized type of tank water heater that uses a heat pump rather than a heating element. They’re even more efficient than tankless. That’s because heat pumps don’t generate heat but rather move it from the ambient air to the water in the tank.
Smart Water Meter
A water meter measures how much water passes from the municipal line into your home’s plumbing. It measures how much water you use, so the water company knows what to charge you. A smart water meter is a more advanced solution. It will measure your usage more accurately and can send notifications via your phone. A smart water heater can also provide usage insights and help you lower consumption in order to reduce costs and environmental impact. Another advantage is early leak detection.
Low-Flow Fixtures
The average U.S. household uses over 300 gallons of water a day. That’s more than 100,000 gallons per year. It’s one reason the Environmental Protection Agency has put such great focus on reducing water consumption with its WaterSense program. Federal standards let manufacturers make toilets that use as much as 1.6 gallons per flush. Toilets that have the WaterSense label are limited to under 1.3 gallons per flush. That makes a significant difference. In fact, the EPA estimates you’ll save about $2,000 over the life of the toilet. Another area where you can curb water usage considerably is low-flow showerheads.
Modern technologies are changing the way we think about home plumbing. Other notable trends include remote shut-off valves, Wi-Fi-enabled water filtration, and gray water recycling.