New Home Plumbing Goes Green How to create a water and energy efficient home.
Today we will cover Water Conservation vs Efficiency Hot Water System Options Selecting the Best Green Toilet High Efficiency Faucets What we won t have time for Other Green Products Green Tips And so much more
Less consumption of water equals less energy. letting your faucet run for 5 minutes uses as much energy as a 60 watt light bulb running for 14 hours! US Environmental Protection Agency
Let us join together to create a win-win for our environment. The plumbing industry has found some sustainable solutions but we need to improve education and provide the right products with better performance.
Water efficiency or conservation? Water has many household jobs to do and we pursue the delicate balance between water efficiency and water conservation. This means that we like to keep the water working for you, not against you! We guide ourselves on the principal that we are providing you sustainable solutions while managing expectation levels at the same time.
Being Green should make you feel good. We urge homeowners to only purchase green items that make them feel good. Pick items that they are confident they would use regularly enough so that they can reward themselves and the environment. There is no use buying something if they are not going to use it.
Domestic Hot Water Heating In this day and age one of the most frequently asked questions is what is the eco-friendly way to heat my hot water? With so many options available the answer can be quite complex.
Hot Water Heating Choices Type/Eff Longevity Venting Utility Cost Price Service/Maintenance Electric-98% 10-12 years No $$$* $ Every 2 years Gas-61% 80+ efficiency coming soon 6-10 years Yes $$ $$ Every 2 years Tankless-94% 10 years Yes $ $$$ Yearly Electric Heat Pump-245% 10 Years No $ $$$$ Every 2 years Boiler-97% 25 years Yes $ $$$$ Every 2 years Solar- % 25 years Yes ($) $$$$$ Every 2 years Please Note: Codes are changing. 2016 gas-min EF 0.75 electric-may be regulated to heat pumps.
Unique Environmental Factors to Consider in Alberta Cold Bow River water temp 40-44 F (we require a 90 F temperature rise) Altitude gas appliances are de-rated from sea level Boiling Temps: sea level is 212 F Calgary is 205 F Hard Water Conditions: 14-17 grams of hardness (New Rocky Mountains) Note: Heating appliances must be sized correctly to BTU output
Did you know? 1/8 an inch of scale buildup in a gas hot water tank = 33% heat loss In Calgary, this can occur within 6 months Water Quality Research Council
Remember water treatment. Alberta s hard water puts your mechanical systems at risk. The simple addition of water softeners and drinking water systems will save homeowners from costly maintenance and possibly even replacement issues in the future. Water treatment will conserve energy preserve the efficiency of your appliances reduce the amount of detergents required for cleaning and laundry (making less for the environment to absorb)
A toilet is a toilet is a toilet
or is it? 1997-3.5 GPF New Code Arrives to 1.6 Good Better Best 300 gram 350 gram 500 gram 2013 1.6 GPF 600 gram 800 gram 1000 gram 1.6 GPF Dual 0.8 GPF/1.6 GPF HET 1.28 GPF (Recommended) Outdated flush technology Still available Commonly used Reliant on user behavior Not quantifiable Heavier TP will not carry Best toilet flush tech Simple to service Lower cost than dual flush Quick Tip: Do not flush Wipes.
High Efficiency Faucets and Showerheads Chasing the lowest flow rate is not water efficiency. Out of all the standards currently available the EPA have been the most considerate in achieving the lowest flow rates while maintaining and managing customer expectations. It is important to note that manufacturers align with EPA standards. EASY FIX: Urge your plumber to choose readily available, water efficient showerheads and faucets. (2.2 gpm 1.5 gpm)
Did you know... Chrome is a durable, lifetime finish, however, the plumbing industry has gone to a NASA developed PVD plated finishes which are highly durable and won t tarnish or corrode--eliminating untimely waste into landfills.
Other Recommended Green Plumbing Products Hot Water Recirculation Systems w/timer Pumps Food Waste Disposers Branch-style Water Distribution Systems Drain Water Heat Recovery Units Avoid Pipe Insulation (unless commercial) Instant Hot Water Taps Boiler Systems with In-Floor Heating Built-in Soap Dispensers Grey Water Systems (Coming Soon) Reverse Osmosis Systems with Permeate Pump
Education is the #1 Water Conservation Tool. Informed home owners have good habits mixed with great products as their green solution. Important Tip: Use a water calculator to evaluate your water consumption.
1 Replace older, less efficient toilets with 1.28-gallon High-Efficiency Toilets (HETs) to save up to 16,500 gallons of water per year. 4 3 Fix leaky faucets and install faucets with water-saving aerators to effortlessly save hundreds of gallons of water per year. 6 2 7 8 Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving to keep excess water from Swap out your 2.75 gpm showerhead with a 1.75 water-conserving showerhead and you can save more than 7,700 gallons of water per year. (Based on an average of seven-minute for a family of four). Use the appropriate water level and load size on the washing machine when doing laundry. Consider purchasing a front-load washing machine. going down the drain. Water your garden during the coolest part of the day, generally in the morning, and avoid watering on windy days. 5 Use a broom rather than a hose to clean off driveways, steps and sidewalks. Landscape with native or lowwater plants to significantly reduce water usage outside the home. 9 Use leftover water for houseplants, instead 10 of pouring out a half-empty glass of drinking water. WATER CONSERVATION TIPS Make sure the dishwasher is fully loaded to maximize the dishes cleaned in a cycle.
There has never been a better time for plumbing to be the solution for our environment. Would you like a copy of this presentation? Visit canyonplumbing.com