The average household uses about 250 gallons of water per day. That is over 80 times more
water than the flooding rain that wreaked havoc across Chicago and the North Shore in April.
With some “green” plumbing initiatives, families have the potential to save gallons of water a
day, but are these “green” plumbing methods always what they seem? We sat down with Mr.
John Nelson, Director of F.E. Moran Plumbing, for some expert insight into “green” plumbing.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are growing in popularity. With the need to conserve water growing in
our society, the efficiency of these water heaters makes them a green choice for homes.
Pros
Tankless water heaters are very efficient in all contexts of the word. They take up the space of a
large computer, as opposed to the standard water heater, which is over double the size.
Tankless water heaters only heat the water you need, when you need it, so it is not constantly
working. Standard water heaters are working 24/7 to keep the 40-60 gallons of water it holds at
120-140 degrees, ready for when the water is needed.
Cons
The initial installation for a tankless water heater is more expensive than a standard. The
tankless water heater costs $700-$1000, plus the additional cost of installation and updating the
venting, gas pipes, and electricity to work with this type of water heater. Although, there are
monthly cost savings of approximately $10-$30 a month, it generally takes 8-9 years to pay itself
off in efficiency. The tankless water heater itself has a 10-15 year life, so if the motivation for
choosing a tankless water heater is cost savings, the payoff may not be there.
The efficiency that makes tankless water heaters so appealing is also its downfall. Because
tankless water heaters produce hot water as needed, if hot water is used in excess, there will be
hot and cold temperature surges. Along the same vein, if a home has a whirlpool tub and a
tankless water heater, an additional tankless water heater will need to be installed to have a
large enough capacity to heat beyond the whirlpool tub, doubling the cost.
About 12 manufacturers design tankless water heaters, each with their own nuances. Because
of this, they are difficult to service. If a part is needed, it may be difficult to find the correct
manufacturer. Standard water heaters only have 3 manufacturers with a relatively standard
design, making it easier to find replacement parts.
Low Flow Toilets
Many North Shore homes were built far
before low flow toilets popularized in 1994.
If your toilet hasn’t been replaced in recent
years, most likely the toilet uses
approximately 3.5 gallons per flush.
Replacing the old toilet with a low flow toilet
can save up to 3 gallons per flush.
Pros
Low flow toilets are easy to find. Even if you
are just upgrading to a newer toilet that is
not advertised as efficient, it is still more
efficient than older toilets. The new standard
toilet uses about 1.28 gallons per flush. If you choose to get a dual flush toilet, it uses .5 gallons
of water for liquids and 1.5 gallons for solids per flush.
Cons
Because newer toilets use less water, they may not have as thorough of a washdown of the
bowl. Low flow toilets also tend to be louder than standard toilets.
Shower Heads and Faucet Aerators
Replacing shower heads and faucet aerators can be an inexpensive way to lower water bills. For
an investment of less than $20, water bills may be lowered by 25-60%, according to the US
Department of Energy.
Pros
Older shower heads that are typically installed in homes use 3.5-5 gallons of water a minute.
New shower heads use 1.6 gallons of water per minute. They use a tight spray, like a mist,
ensuring water pressure is not lost. If, on an average day, you take a fifteen minute shower, the
shower head that is most likely in your home currently will use up to 75 gallons of water. With a
low-flow, modern shower head that same shower will only use 22.5 gallons of water.
Standard kitchen and bathroom faucets use 4-7 gallons of water per minute. If you add an
aerator to the bathroom faucet, you will save 1-1.5 gallons per minute, and in the kitchen, 2.22.5 gallons per minute. To test your faucet aerator for efficiency, time how long it takes to fill a
1 gallon milk jug. If it takes less than 20 seconds, you should add an aerator for some serious
water savings. Adding low-flow aerators to faucets can save 1,100-1,500 gallons of water a
month.
Cons
The low flow shower heads may eventually succumb to pressure problems due to calcium or
rust buildup. However, there is a simple fix. Place a bag of CLR around the showerhead and
rubber band. Leave it overnight. The next day, any calcium or rust within the head should be
gone. If the problem persists, the calcium or rust buildup is behind the shower head.
Homeowners can take the showerhead off and clean inside.
Going “green” with your plumbing is something that every homeowner will need to weigh the
pros and cons before making a choice. If you need help making the decision, call the experts at
F.E. Moran Plumbing.