Have your water bills grown costlier than usual? Could your plumbing design be compromising your system’s efficiency? While a number of factors affect the overall efficiency of a plumbing system, declining performance is often due to simple age-related wear and tear. At Steve’s Plumbing & Heating, we know household plumbing efficiency can be confounding. If you’re facing expensive water bills and aren’t sure what the cause might be, check out our list of common culprits below.
Water-Wasting Showerheads
In older homes, one of the most common culprits behind declining plumbing efficiency are outdated showerheads. Though they may remain functional, decades-old plumbing fixtures are far from efficient and tend to waste considerable water over time. If you’ve never updated your showerhead, switching to a water-saving model can reduce your annual water use by up to 2,900 gallons per person!
Outdated Faucets
Worn or damaged faucets are another common source of water waste in older homes. Outdated fixtures consume far more water than their modern counterparts — to the tune of 30% more water in some cases! So how can you tell if your faucets are inefficient?
If you’ve never replaced them, that’s your first indication. If you’ve noticed issues with water flow, that may also indicate an efficiency issue. In some cases, you might also observe slight dripping when the faucet is off. If you’re unsure whether your faucets are decreasing plumbing efficiency, hire a licensed plumber who can inspect and replace any worn or damaged components.
Toilets
Does your toilet fight back when it’s time to flush? Can you hear it running continually? Does it make odd noises out of the blue? A number of toilet issues can affect your plumbing efficiency, and though some require a simple component replacement, others stem from outdated design.
If you own an older toilet, chances are it’s wasting far more water than you might imagine, especially if its parts are wearing out. Fortunately, you can remedy the efficiency issue by replacing your outdated toilet with a modern, water-saving model. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, dual-flush toilets can save up to 4,000 gallons of water per year.
Appliances
Do you own a dishwasher? Do you use it frequently? If it’s not an energy-efficient model, it’s compromising your plumbing efficiency. Modern dishwashers (and other energy-efficient appliances) are designed to maximize performance while consuming far less power and water than their non-efficient counterparts.
At Steve’s Plumbing & Heating, one of our specialties is plumbed appliance installation. If you’re thinking about replacing your outdated, inefficient kitchen and bathroom staples, we’ll help you get the job done properly.
Ready to Improve Your Plumbing Efficiency? Contact Steve’s Plumbing & Heating Today
At Steve’s Plumbing & Heating, we’re experts when it comes to maximizing household plumbing efficiency. Whether you’re dealing with a leaky pipe and need plumbing repair, or you’d like to replace outdated fixtures with more efficient models, we’re here to guarantee a job well done.
To schedule service in Wisconsin Rapids or the surrounding areas, give our team a call at 715-421-1800. You can also get in touch with us via our contact page, and a member of our team will be in contact with you promptly.