Homesteading is about living a simpler life. When you are homesteading, you are doing your best to not have to rely on outside sources for food or income. Unfortunately, we live in a money-driven world, so starting the homesteading process includes thinking about how you will provide for yourself.
Outfitting your home with an energy-efficient plumbing setup could be a great way to save money in the long run, while also doing your part to help the planet. We all share the same planet, and we should all make choices that protect the environment and promote a greener way of living.
A top plumber in Ventnor encourages all of their clients to explore different energy-efficient and cost-effective ways to improve their plumbing set up and usage. A little extra work at the beginning will lead to big savings and greater independence down the line.
You have options to improve the plumbing of your homestead that will allow you to continue providing for yourself while also increasing your efficiency.
Fix Your Fixtures
The most important appliances of almost every bathroom are the shower, the toilet, and the sink. One of the easiest ways to begin is by installing energy-efficient fixtures like low-flow showerheads and faucets and dual flush toilets. These fixtures use less water or use water in a more economical way to accomplish the daily tasks that you do in the bathroom.
A common misconception with low-flow showerheads and faucets is that you will not get the same amount of water pressure as less efficient options. In fact, the fixtures are designed to use less water but still provide a comfortable showering experience.
Trust your Toilets
While most private bathrooms may have a shower, almost every bathroom has a toilet. Over half of the homes in the United States has at least two bathrooms and thus two toilets, so it is important to make sure that you have efficient appliances.
There are several types of toilets specifically designed to be more efficient with your water:
- Dual-flush toilets provide two options for flushing after use for either solid waste or liquid waste.
- Pressure assist toilets that use a quick blast of water to dispose of the waste are normally seen in public spaces but are becoming increasingly popular for in-home use.
- Gravity flow toilets allow the natural forces of gravity and water pressure to take away waste without additional water to force the move.
To ensure that you get a water-efficient product, look out for the EPA’s WaterSense label. The organization tests fixtures like low-flow faucets and showerheads so that they meet precise standards of approval.
Plan Your Plumbing Piping
Your plumbing pipes get the water everywhere in your house so it is crucial that you care for them or else you run the risk of wasting water without even realizing it. Insulating your pipes will not only protect them from the elements, but you will also find that your pipes work more efficiently when they are able to carry water without interruption.
Most people understand that when the weather outside drops below freezing, the water in your plumbing pipes can freeze which can lead to the pipes bursting. Hot water pipes running through cold air run the risk of losing heated water, which will make your water heater work hard to ensure that the water remains hot for your liking. Even in warmer temperatures, plumbing pipes can lose water efficiency. Coldwater pipes running through hot air will likely face condensation which could corrode your pipes from the outside.
There are many options for insulating your plumbing pipes. There is the insulation that you can cut and place around the exposed areas, as well as spray foam insulation that can fill in the gaps around the pipes. For narrow areas, there is even a tape that you can wrap around the plumbing pipes that will protect them.
Handle Your Heater
While we are on the subject of pipes, let’s talk about the water heater. You have a lot of options for how you want to control the temperature of your water.
Traditional water heaters are still very common in many houses, but you need to know how to properly care for them so that you get the most out of them. Every few months, you need to drain the sediment that builds up in the tank. This sediment can damage the heating mechanisms within the tank and make it less efficient, but this can be easily addressed by flushing the tank drain.
A tankless water heater will last longer than a traditional tanked heater, meaning you are not just being environmentally conscious with your water usage, but also leaving less metal waste. Where traditional water heaters warm up water in a tank to be distributed throughout the house, a tankless water heater can heat up the water immediately without having to store it.
You can even install a solar water heater which will use the energy of the sun to power the water heater
Final Thoughts About Plumbing
Living in a more self-sufficient manner means you are able to choose the appliances that you use and the projects that you work on. With any homesteading project, you need to balance how much you want to do yourself with the cost of the project. Changing your shower head is likely a plumbing project that you can do on a Saturday afternoon, but completely changing your water heater may require a professional.
The advantage of using better technology to increase your energy efficiency is that you are set up for more self-reliance down the line. Follow these tips and you will find that you can live a simpler life in a greener environment.