Go Green In Your Home
Environmentally friendly tips and ideas for your home
Posted 06:40 September 15, 2017
Last Updated 08:26 November 17, 2017
Green Plumbing and HVAC Tips
Environmentally friendly plumbing tips for your home
Today, more and more homeowners are discovering how easy and rewarding it is to go green. Making very small changes can yield big results. Conservation is something every homeowner should consider.
In the Las Vegas desert water is a precious commodity. We receive all of our water from Lake Meade. It seems that every year there are new reports about lower lake water levels. One day Clark County may face a real water shortage. Hard choices will have to be made. A water shortage in Las Vegas may be inevitable, but if we all do our part now we may be able to delay the inevitable.
There are many ways you can go green via your plumbing and home heating and cooling. Water, electric, and gas conservation can be achieved through better plumbing fixtures and electric and gas appliances. There are numerous ways you can increase savings and decrease energy usage in your home.
Going green usually involves higher upfront costs, but savings are realized over time. The end result is lower costs in the long run.
Your hot water heater is a big source of energy use in your home. Gas units tend to be more efficient than electrical units, but tank systems are inefficient by nature. They store water and heat it, then reheat it, then reheat it again. It doesn't seem like a very good design, but it's the type of unit virtually all American homes utilize.
A tankless hot water heater does not store and continually re-heat water. Huge energy savings can be realized when switching to a tankless system. They have been in use throughout Asia and Europe for decades. Tankless systems are finally beginning to be widely adopted in America.
Las Vegas summers are brutal. Your HVAC unit is probably the most energy hungry appliance in your home. Year after year manufacturers introduce air conditioners that are more energy efficient. Replacing a unit that is 15 years old can oftentimes yield big energy savings. It's not uncommon for homeowners to be able to cut their monthly electric bill in half when upgrading to a new energy-efficient unit.
Older plumbing fixtures in your home use a lot of water. You can increase water conservation by replacing old fixtures with newer greener fixtures. This is especially true of the toilets in your home. Dual flush toilets are very common now. One button flushes 1.1 gallons, the other 1.6 gallons. You choose which button to use based on your needs. Never before has it been so easy to conserve water with every flush!
Faucets and shower heads offer opportunities for water conservation too. Low-flow faucets and shower heads can reduce your home water usage by 35% or more. If you have a leaking faucet, it's a pretty simple repair job to stop that leak and stop wasting water.
Your dishwasher, refrigerator, washer, and dryer all offer further opportunities to go green. Older units are energy hogs. Old dishwashers and washing machines use unnecessary water. Upgrading these appliances is a small job, and although it may cost a bit of money upfront, you will save money over time though their lower energy and water use.
If you have a plumbing leak in your home it will only get worse over time. If you leave it unattended you risk serious damage to your home. Month-after-month your water bill will rise as the leak worsens and you waste more water. Fix any plumbing leaks around or in your home as soon as they are discovered.
Sometimes a plumbing leak can be very hard to find. All Trades offers leak detection services. We have specialized tools and highly trained technicians. We can find your hidden plumbing leak and present your with the best course of action to fix it.
With a little thought and effort you can make your home greener and more environmentally friendly. If we all do our part we can help save water and ensure Las Vegas' future through water independence. All Trades knows the importance of going green. We're here to help you achieve your conservation goals. We service Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, and most parts of Clark County Nevada.
In the Las Vegas desert water is a precious commodity. We receive all of our water from Lake Meade. It seems that every year there are new reports about lower lake water levels. One day Clark County may face a real water shortage. Hard choices will have to be made. A water shortage in Las Vegas may be inevitable, but if we all do our part now we may be able to delay the inevitable.
There are many ways you can go green via your plumbing and home heating and cooling. Water, electric, and gas conservation can be achieved through better plumbing fixtures and electric and gas appliances. There are numerous ways you can increase savings and decrease energy usage in your home.
Going green usually involves higher upfront costs, but savings are realized over time. The end result is lower costs in the long run.
Your Hot Water Heater
Your hot water heater is a big source of energy use in your home. Gas units tend to be more efficient than electrical units, but tank systems are inefficient by nature. They store water and heat it, then reheat it, then reheat it again. It doesn't seem like a very good design, but it's the type of unit virtually all American homes utilize.
A tankless hot water heater does not store and continually re-heat water. Huge energy savings can be realized when switching to a tankless system. They have been in use throughout Asia and Europe for decades. Tankless systems are finally beginning to be widely adopted in America.
Your Central Air Unit
Las Vegas summers are brutal. Your HVAC unit is probably the most energy hungry appliance in your home. Year after year manufacturers introduce air conditioners that are more energy efficient. Replacing a unit that is 15 years old can oftentimes yield big energy savings. It's not uncommon for homeowners to be able to cut their monthly electric bill in half when upgrading to a new energy-efficient unit.
Plumbing Fixtures
Older plumbing fixtures in your home use a lot of water. You can increase water conservation by replacing old fixtures with newer greener fixtures. This is especially true of the toilets in your home. Dual flush toilets are very common now. One button flushes 1.1 gallons, the other 1.6 gallons. You choose which button to use based on your needs. Never before has it been so easy to conserve water with every flush!
Faucets and shower heads offer opportunities for water conservation too. Low-flow faucets and shower heads can reduce your home water usage by 35% or more. If you have a leaking faucet, it's a pretty simple repair job to stop that leak and stop wasting water.
Energy Efficient Appliances
Your dishwasher, refrigerator, washer, and dryer all offer further opportunities to go green. Older units are energy hogs. Old dishwashers and washing machines use unnecessary water. Upgrading these appliances is a small job, and although it may cost a bit of money upfront, you will save money over time though their lower energy and water use.
Plumbing Leaks
If you have a plumbing leak in your home it will only get worse over time. If you leave it unattended you risk serious damage to your home. Month-after-month your water bill will rise as the leak worsens and you waste more water. Fix any plumbing leaks around or in your home as soon as they are discovered.
Sometimes a plumbing leak can be very hard to find. All Trades offers leak detection services. We have specialized tools and highly trained technicians. We can find your hidden plumbing leak and present your with the best course of action to fix it.
Conclusion
With a little thought and effort you can make your home greener and more environmentally friendly. If we all do our part we can help save water and ensure Las Vegas' future through water independence. All Trades knows the importance of going green. We're here to help you achieve your conservation goals. We service Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, and most parts of Clark County Nevada.
