Ann Arbor Real Estate Series-Water Conservation at Home pt.2

Last week we talked about daily steps a homeowner could take to reduce their water usage and in turn their municipal water bill. This week we’re going to touch on a few things a homeowner can change or install in their home to aid their conversation efforts.

Low-flow toilets are specifically designed to use less water during each flush. This is an important feature in an increasing number of areas throughout the country where water is limited. In all parts of the country, low-flow toilets make simple sense by conserving a natural resource used for routine and mundane tasks.

Water is still an under-valued resource but general understanding of its importance is growing. A state-of-the-art low-flow toilet may consume less than two gallons of water per flush compared to five or more gallons with “old” technology toilets. The new toilets can cut your expenditure for flushing in half, or more. Yet flushing is only part of your annual water budget and you should pay some attention to the performance of your clothes washer and dishwasher as well.

For new homes, getting a low-flow toilet may not be an option – it may be required by local building codes. Like most consumer items, retrofit models can vary in their design and effectiveness. Toilet options may depend on local building codes and sources of supply.

Showers account for 16-25% of the total water use in a typical home.  One easy way to reduce this number and minimize your home’s total water usage is to install a low-flow showerhead on each of your showers.  The current standard for low-flow models is 2.5 gpm (compared to the 5.5 gpm of standard models, especially those manufactured before 1992).  Some models are available with flow-rates as low as 1.6 gpm, using about 1/4 the amount of water of standard models.  This means that low-flow showerheads can save you 20 to 30 gallons of water for every ten minute shower you take. Low-flow models are inexpensive, easy to install and can have substantial ramifications for your home’s annual water use.

Typically, low-flow showerheads cost between $10 and $20 and can be purchased from your local hardware store.  Despite this initial expense, low-flow models can reduce the amount of water used in the shower by 25-50%, saving families hundreds of dollars every year.  EPA’s WaterSense program reports installing a low-flow showerhead can save families more than 2300 gallons of water a year.

Many consumers are concerned with their showers becoming “weak” after installing a low-flow showerhead.  However, there are many different models available with various settings that can allow control over the strength of the water flow, whether it is strong and pulsing or soft and misty.  If you prefer stronger water flow, opt for a laminar-flow showerhead as it creates individual streams instead the mist that aerating models produce.

Low-flow showerheads can easily be replaced yourself or with the a little help from your local plumber.  When purchasing a new showerhead, make sure its specifications (threaded or non-threaded, size, etc.) match your current one. Consider removing the old one and taking it with you to your local hardware store to ensure you get a proper match.  Look for models that have earned the EPA’s Water Sense label to ensure the highest quality and greatest efficiency.  Once you purchase the showerhead, simply take it back home and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for install.  Usually this just requires removing the old head and screwing in the new one.  Make sure there is a tight seal to prevent leakage.

As always, we here at Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors are here to assist you with any of your Ann Arbor Area home buying, home selling, rental or other Ann Arbor real estate needs.

Call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends. We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime. Choose Prudential Snyder and Company for the best Ann Arbor Realtors!