If you’re like most homeowners, you don’t think much about your plumbing fixtures until you need to replace them. You might be renovating your bathroom or building a new home. Either way, it’s worth investing in water-efficient options.
In this article, we’ll look at five of the benefits of making the switch to water-efficient plumbing fixtures in the Toronto region. There’s more to it than saving money or doing better for the environment, so let’s jump right in.
Benefit 1: Use Less Water
As you probably guessed, water-efficient plumbing fixtures use less water. That much is obvious. But how much exactly are you saving? And what kind of impact does water usage have more broadly?
Low-flow faucets, shower heads, and toilets can save gallons a minute. For example, a smart faucet might use about 1.5 gallons or 5.7 L a minute. In contrast, an older faucet might use about 2.2 gallons or 8.3 L a minute. Multiply that by 10 minutes-plus every day, and the savings are significant.
Your water bill goes down, which is a huge bonus. What’s more, you conserve water. Freshwater is limited, even here in Canada. Around 1% of total water is available for use.
Benefit 2: Meet Codes and Regulations
Did you know that in Canada some plumbing fixtures are regulated under the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) energy-efficiency rules?
One example is faucets. In private homes, they can’t exceed 4.5 L per minute. In public washrooms, that drops to just 1.9 L per minute.
These rules exist for several reasons. They preserve a precious resource and lower utility costs. They also reduce the amount of strain on aging infrastructure in the GTA. When household demand drops, there’s less chance of overloading the system or triggering costly maintenance.
Benefit 3: Enjoy High-Tech Upgrades
Changing your plumbing fixtures to more efficient alternatives gives you access to a whole host of innovative upgrades. Some examples include:
- Touchless and timed faucets. These turn on with zero contact and switch off after a set period of time.
- Leak sensors. These Internet of Things (IoT) devices use smart sensors to detect leaks as soon as they occur. That way, you can organize a repair well before your water bill spikes sky high.
- App-powered showerheads. Imagine controlling the flow and temperature of your shower via an app on your smartphone. It sounds wild, but if you’re someone who enjoys a more luxurious experience, it could be a great option to look into.
Benefit 4: Reduce Hot Water Use
An energy-efficient plumbing fixture uses less water overall. Part of that reduction is hot water. When you use less hot water, you use less energy to heat it up. Less energy use means cheaper electricity bills.
This benefit might be of particular interest given the recent announcement from the Ontario Energy Board that electricity prices have risen.
Benefit 5: Increase Your Home’s Value
Water-efficient plumbing is the future, and home buyers know this. Expectations of sustainability are changing quickly, and features like eco-friendly plumbing solutions are increasingly valued in competitive property markets.
Even if you are not planning to sell in the near future, upgrading to energy-efficient fixtures now keeps you one step ahead of the curve. And, you get to enjoy lower bills and a more luxe bathroom experience in the meantime.
Upgrade With the Help of a Toronto Plumber
Keen to reap the benefits of energy-efficient fixtures? We’re ready to help. Give our team of plumbers a call today at +1 416-939-1530, and let’s discuss your water-saving goals.
Alternatively request a free, accurate quote online now. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
