The first things that pop in your mind when you hear eco-friendly living are recycling, gardening, or other, right? It may come to you as a surprise, but plumbing is another viable option to excel on the path of sustainability and reduce costs of living altogether.

Eco-friendly plumbing refers to the sum of approaches, techniques, and equipment used to minimise water consumption by investing in sustainable modifications. Green plumbing gives homeowners a chance to reduce the destructive disarray of the environment.

By consuming less water, you save the energy otherwise used for water requests out of the public grid for domestic or commercial properties. The choice of pipes, nontoxic fixtures, and gear all add to growing sustainability.

Green plumbing helps curb pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and fossil fuel use, which in turn, reduces the rate of climate change and prevents a potential global catastrophe.

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What are the advantages of green plumbing?

Water is a valuable resource (although most people take it for granted) that we must use mindfully.

With an increasing population and global warming, water is turning into a profitable asset as water consumption and servicing costs rise. If you wish to make a change and take part in the zero waste movement, an optimal way is to follow sustainable plumbing techniques and piping modifications.

By using less water, you help conserve natural sources and wetlands so entire municipal areas get enough water for daily needs. Being sustainable doesn’t break the bank and does not affect your daily routines.

Benefits of sustainable and eco-friendly green plumbing:

• Minimises waste
• Decreases environmental impact
• Reduces water shortages
• Extends appliance usage

How much does sustainable plumbing cost?

It is best to have a certified expert laying plastic or metal pipes so that your sustainable system works efficiently and meets plumbing standards.

Keep in mind the average cost to hire a professional plumber is anywhere between $90 to $130 per hour, with GST included.

Fortunately, if you choose to go minimum-waste, know that eco-friendly plumbing will cost you in the short-term. The initial costs add up, but when you think about the long-term advantages, the price is well worth the investment.

Bear in mind, all plumbing costs will rise in case of emergencies or during non-business hours.

Water waste facts

• The average amount of water used by households is roughly 5 gallons (19 l) per household.
• Australians use an average of 26417 gallons (100,000 l) of water per person annually.
• We use around 2.64 to 4 gallons (10-15 l) per minute of water for regular showering.
• About 29 gallons (110 l) are daily used for baths.
• Roughly 2,9 gallons (11 l) of water usage comes from a single flush of the toilet.
• Washing your dishes by hand leads to 4 gallons (15 l) of water going down the drain.
• On average, it takes 47 gallons (180 l) to wash your car with a hose.
• Leaky pipes lead to daily water loss estimated at around 26 gallons (99 l) per day.
• Roughly a gallon (4 l) of water goes down the drain while brushing your teeth.
• A disregarded sprinkler can waste 246 gallons (931.21 l) of water per hour

It’s important to take action and put a hold on these troubling facts. The solution is to take the green path and start making small steps towards a better future.

Examples of green plumbing and what they do

• Low-flow toilets;
• Waterless urinals;
• Low-flow showerheads;
• Water-saving taps and faucets;
• Industrial pre-rinse spray valves;
• Greywater plumbing systems;
• Composting toilets;
• Rainwater harvesting;
• Rainwater toilets & washing machines;
• How water tanks work;
• Smart irrigation systems;
• Tankless water heaters;
• Solar hot water systems;
• Wastewater treatments.

Low-flow toilets

Of all home appliances, toilets account for roughly 30% of the average household water consumption. A low-flow, high-efficient toilet reduces water consumption during flushes. New models use as low as 1,32 gallons (5 l) per flush while having the same level of performance.

The average Australian family can save up to 13 208 gallons (50 000 l) of water and roughly $130 off their water bill per year, by investing inefficient, and sustainable models.

Waterless urinals

A single waterless urinal can add up to 34 342 gallons (130 000 l) of water wastage avoided.

Low-flow showerheads

If you decide to go zero waste and replace your bath with the finest showerheads of optimal low-flow fixtures, you can save around $70 in utility bills and help conserve over 2641 gallons (10 000 l) of water annually.

Other options are pressure shower heads for low-pressure features, widespread rain fixtures, or integrated panel tower systems.

Water-saving taps and faucets

Average taps dispense between 37 and 72 gallons (10-20 l) which is way more than required. Similarly, a standard faucet runs water at a rate of roughly 8 l/minute, as opposed to high-efficiency taps which help reduce domestic water consumption between 30% and 80%.

A family of 4 can save up to $250 in water and electricity costs by investing in sustainable faucets. Learn more about the various bathroom equipment and accessories, such as pull-down or pull-out faucets, aerators, laundry fixtures, shower screens, and more.

Industrial pre-rinse spray valves

These fittings are widely applicable in commercial kitchens. Pre-rinse valves rinse food leftovers to help dishwashers.

By using a high-efficiency, pre-rinse spray valve, the industry can conserve energy and water while paying less.

Greywater plumbing systems

This sustainable investment conserves water already used for other washing activities, where the bathroom greywater tops the chart. You could repurpose it for fertilising through an irrigation system or even composting WC systems. Diverter installations can feed water to your garden autonomously via networks of underground hoses, thus making a difference on autopilot.

Composting toilets

Flushing toilets add up to an ample amount of water consumption of around 30% of daily household water usage. Composting and waterless WC units are a modern, eco-friendly and sustainable technology that produces fertiliser instead of waste.

Rainwater harvesting

If you want to go an extra mile for the sustainability movement, think about rainwater harvesting. It means gathering rainfall in tanks to reuse.

Rainwater toilets and washing machines

A regular dishwasher uses roughly 9.2 gallons (35 l) per cycle, whereas systems that reuse rainwater can cut water usage up to 40%.

How do water tanks work?

Rainwater tanks accumulate water falling onto your roof, into your gutters, into your downpipes, and into the tank placed either to the side of the building or underneath it.

Rainwater tanks serve as water storage and supply for your garden, irrigation system, laundry, toilet, and more.

For details, browse instructions in the TerraCorp product guidelines.

Smart irrigation systems

Contrary to conventional irrigation controllers that follow preset timers and programs, smart irrigation systems monitor weather, soil specs, the rate of water evaporation, and water usage of greenery to optimise watering and cut waste.

A good water pressure pump can help further improve lawn care, too.

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Tankless water heaters

Tankless water heaters help minimise both water and energy consumption. A standard water heater keeps hot water in the tank 24/7, even if it’s not being used. This sustainable option, on the other hand, heats water when someone turns on the hot water tap.

Either electric or gas, tankless water heaters have a longer lifespan compared to standard water heaters – up to 20 years or more. These units are great for RVs, too, as they decrease the chances of RV fungi infestations.

Are solar hot water systems effective?

This sustainable method heats water in tanks via solar technology. It is a common and effective modification, as it is eco-friendly and helps you save money.

Wastewater treatments

The idea of the process is to filter solid residue before effluent water goes back in the open. This is crucial because organic decay uses oxygen that could deplete plantlife and animals.

How many green plumbing modifications should I make?

There is no rule on the number of fixtures you should make to your plumbing system. Unless it legally binds you to make plumbing adjustments to your property, you are free to do as you please.

Contact us to learn about other sustainable plumbing modifications that will not burn a hole in your wallet in the short term!

Water-saving tips

• Turn off taps tightly to prevent dripping;
• When washing the dishes by hand, try not to run water continuously;
• Fix leaking pipes, seals, and fixtures;
• Turn the water off when brushing your teeth;
• Invest in low-flow showerheads or flow-reducer adjustments;
• Install a solar water heating system;
• Use your washing machine or dishwasher only when full;
• Establish greywater treatment systems.
• Invest in copper piping. It is an optimal option for green plumbing, as it is long-lasting and requires little to no maintenance;
• Install smart irrigation products that measure the water in the soil and modify the watering time to suit the need of the soil;
• Install rainwater storage and filter systems;

Need help finding an experienced green plumber?

You don’t have to make all the changes mentioned above at the same time. Start small by finding a professional and experienced plumber to update a thing or two at a time until you go green as far as possible. By being sustainable, you’ll not only reduce your utility bills but will keep the natural water sources pure and safe for generations to come.

If you wish to learn more about eco-friendly plumbing or if you are considering installing sustainable plumbing modifications in your home, choose a plumbing expert for your region.