How can homeowners make their plumbing systems more energy efficient?

We receive a lot of inquiries from homeowners interested in increasing their home energy efficiency by upgrading their windows and HVAC systems. We don’t get a lot of plumbing requests that are oriented around increasing energy efficiency.

What are some things that homeowners can do to their plumbing systems to increase their overall energy efficiency?

We help our clients by eliminating the standby heat losses from your water heater and reduce your energy consumption 20 to 40 percent by installing a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters are much more energy effecient and they never run out of hot water. Typically, on demand heaters provide hot water at a rate of 2 to 4 gallons per minute. To meet hot water demand when multiple faucets are being used throughout the home, tankless water heaters can be installed in parallel sequence.

As with any purchase, balance the pros and cons of the different water heaters in light of your particular needs. There are a number of factors you should consider when choosing a new water heater for your home. You should consider the water heaters capacity, total hot water demand, energy efficiency, and total cost of the materials and installation.

Low-flow showerheads are a great way to make your plumbing more energy efficient. There are some great showerheads available in the 1.5 to 1.75 gallons per minute range. With these showerheads, you’ll reduce your hot water usage and the energy needed to heat that water.

These showerheads have great water pressure and you won’t notice the difference from your typical showerhead. (There are ultra low-flow showerheads available, but I don’t like those – they don’t have good pressure.) The ones I recommend work very well. Both my wife and daughter have long hair and they have no problem rinsing out the shampoo and conditioner.

Mark Bortman

Homeowners can make sure that all the hot water pipes are insolated. When are the pipes are insolated a re-circlulating hot water loop can be installed. So …No more long wait for hot water at the fixture. We also recommend installing a aqua stat with a timer at the pump.

Water Conservation Strategies and Sustainable Building Design:

Rainwater Harvesting Systems

Stormwater Harvesting and BMP

Greywater Systems

Energy-star Rated, Energy Efficient, Low-flow, Dual Flush Appliances/Fixtures/Accessories

Non-potable & Potable Domestic Water Systems

Solar-Powered Components/Systems

Geothermal Systems

Reuse Systems for Tie-in to Irrigation, Utility, and Outdoor Use

Containment Systems for AC Condensate or Similar Reuse

water saving fixtures,solar hot water systems,reclaiming gray water for outside irrigation.checking on tiolets to see if they are keeping a good seal and for drippy faucets,check your hot water temperature you dont need more than 120 degrees F. turn down the thermostat if needed, set water heater on vacation and turn the water off to the house when gone for 24 hrs or more make sure your irrigation water wont be affected though.

The new energy requirements for the 2013 code book have a few changes that are designed to increase the efficiency of plumbing systems. One of the requirements is to install insulation around all of the hot water lines for the home. Another requirement that has not yet been adopted in Kansas City, is for all water heaters to meet the efficiency standards of a power vent water heater.

A power vent water heater is not as costly as tankless water heaters and does not have the same maintenance cost that goes with most tankless units.

Your customers might not want to hear this but one of the best ways to save on energy is to reduce consumption. Taking shorter showers and installing low flow shower heads can also amount to a signifigant savings in energy.