4 Plumbing Upgrades for a More Efficient Home

Keeping a good balance between comfort and efficiency is one of the goals of most homeowners. If you’re one of these homeowners, read on as the local plumbing experts at Texas Water Heaters share a quick rundown of plumbing upgrades that can help you reach this goal.

1. Tankless Water Heater. The problem with traditional water heaters is that there never seems to be enough hot water during certain times of the day. If your household has several school-age kids, mornings can mean taking cold showers if you snooze. They also tend to consume more fuel or energy because they reheat the water in the tank if it dips below a set temperature threshold. A tankless water heater makes it more convenient because it only heats water when needed, which means not only does it provide all the hot water that you need, but it only consumes energy when in use. Plus, its much smaller size lets you reclaim some of your basement space.

2. Low-Flow Fixtures. Whether you live in an area that tends to have drought during summer, or you just want to reduce your monthly utility costs, you’ll want to consider replacing your old fixtures with low-flow versions. Standard toilets typically use about seven gallons of water per flush, while low-flow ones use about one-and-a-half gallons. Low-flow shower heads likewise use about 40% less water than standard shower heads.

3. Smart Plumbing Systems. If you have a smart home system or are planning on having one installed, you’ll want to add or include smart plumbing in it. Smart plumbing systems allow homeowners to monitor water usage, detect leaks, or even control fixtures remotely. In addition to keeping water waste to a minimum, it also helps prevent damage caused by undetected leaks.

4. Pipe Insulation. The cold snap of February 2021 is an indication that you should never skimp on pipe insulation, particularly on the water supply lines. At the very least, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to deal with burst pipes. If your home is heated by a hydronic boiler, improving the insulation on the interior pipes will prevent heat loss, providing even heating and lower fuel or gas consumption.

If you’re thinking about getting these upgrades, give our team at Texas Water Heaters a call at (512) 215-1636. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.