How High-Performance Homes Focus on Water Conservation
With green home building on the rise, home builders are turning towards products that improve energy efficiency and water conservation. These products not only create a more efficient home but also offer homeowners significant savings on their utility bills. So, how do these homes improve water conservation efforts? Keep reading for five ways high-efficiency homes focus on water conservation.
Improved Plumbing
High-performance homes reduce the distance water has to travel from the water heater to showers and faucets. In addition to saving energy costs, less piping saves time and money during the construction of the home.
High-Efficiency Fixtures
Using new motion-sensing faucets in high-performance homes is an easy and aesthetically pleasing way to conserve water. With “hands-free capabilities, these fixtures make it more convenient for homeowners to use while ensuring the water is shut off when not in use.
Hot Water Recirculating Pumps
In older homes, water is often left running to allow it to heat up. This is because unused water remains in the pipe when the water is shut off, which allows it to cool. Not only is it inconvenient to wait for the water to warm up, but it also wastes water. High-performance homes combat this issue with a water recirculating pump. Designed to provide hot water instantly, hot water recirculating pumps create a loop from the water heater back to its intended destination. This ensures no water is left in the pipe to cool, which eliminates wasted water.
Low-Flow Showerheads
Advances in showerhead design allow homeowners to conserve water without sacrificing comfort. Compared to a standard showerhead, which delivers around 2.5 gallons of water per minute, a low-flow showerhead can deliver as little as 1.6 gallons per minute. With this simple swap, you can reduce water consumption by up to 40%.
High-Efficiency Toilets
Just as with low-flow showerheads, high-efficiency toilets are designed to use less water without sacrificing functionality. The low-flow flush feature allows the user to choose how much water is used according to their needs.
Interested in learning more about how our custom homes focus on energy efficiency and water conservation? Get in touch with our team. We can’t wait to hear from you!
