Home Efficiency

Now more than ever, saving money is important to all of us. Improving the efficiency of your home is a great way to lower monthly utility bills. Many options are available to homeowners who wish to make money-saving improvements to their homes in order to increase its efficiency.Our licensed and friendly plumbers are ready to help you make your home more efficient by providing any of the services described below. Please call us today or email us to request a free quote!

Our customers often have many questions about how they can improve their home’s efficiency. Below are some of our customer’s most frequently asked questions.

What changes can I make to my home to make it more efficient and lower my monthly utility bills?

If you want to improve your home’s efficiency, there are many options available to you. Simple and inexpensive options include installing low-flow shower heads in all of your home’s showers, as well as making sure that all faucets are equipped with aerators. For even more savings, consider having an on-demand hot-water system or tankless water heater installed. In addition, simply updating your hot water heater unit to a new gas model may also provide considerable savings over time. Also, repairing any leaky faucets or toilets in your home can lower your monthly water bill significantly!

What is a low-flow shower head, and how much money will it save me on my water bill?

A low-flow shower head provides the same amount of pressure as a traditional shower head, but uses less water per minute of shower time. By replacing your old shower heads with new low-flow models, you can reduce your monthly water usage by 25% - 65%! Old shower heads use 5 gallons of water per minute or more. In a household of 4 people who each take a 10 minute shower per day, that’s 200 gallons of water usage a day, or 6,000 gallons per month, simply for showering! With a low-flow model which uses 2.5 gallons of water per minute, water usage for showers would be cut in half! In addition to lowering your monthly water bill, reducing the amount of water used while showering will also lower your gas or electricity bill. Low-flow shower heads are also very affordable, typically costing between $10 and $20.

What is an on-demand hot water system, and how will it help me save money?

An on-demand hot water system, or circulation pump, is a unit which constantly circulates hot water throughout your home. It provides instant hot water from any faucet, and because you have instant access to your hot water, you no longer have to let faucets run for several minutes to “warm up.” This can cut water usage significantly, which is good for your wallet. These systems do not replace hot water heaters, but are simply added on to your existing hot water system. We recommend and install circulation pumps by Grundfos - the industry leader in this technology.

What is a tankless water heater, and how will it help me save money?

A tankless water heater provides you with an endless supply of hot water. A traditional water heater stores and heats a set number of gallons of water and refills as water is used. You’ve probably experienced the sudden shock of cold water in the shower because someone started a load of laundry or turned on the dishwasher. With a tankless water heater, this problem is eliminated. Everyone in your home could shower at the same time while the dishwasher and washing machine are running. Tankless water heaters are also very energy efficient because they heat water on demand. When no hot water is being used the unit is not using any energy, therefore cutting your energy costs by up to 40%! The estimated annual energy costs of a tankless water heater are $223, while that of a 40 gallon traditional tank is over $400! Also, tankless water heaters provide your home with cleaner hot water. Water is not sitting in a tank where rust and scale accumulate over time. Your hot water will be cleaner and healthier for you and your family. Another advantage of tankless water heater systems is their longevity. They typically last up to 20 years - double the life span of a traditional tank water heater. We recommend and install Rinnai Tankless Water heaters because of their superior quality, 12 year warranty, and energy star rating.

Does my leaky faucet or toilet really cost me much money on my monthly water bill?

Yes, it certainly can! One leaky faucet in your home can waste as much as 50 gallons in one day, or 1,500 gallons per month. A leaky toilet can waste up to 300 gallons a day, or 9,000 gallons per month. If more than one toilet or faucet in your home is leaking, the costs can add up quickly! Making sure that your faucets and toilets are not leaking water can add up to significant savings over time.