Each day, the average American uses over 150 gallons of water per day. That’s no small amount and is the largest amount of water compared to all other countries.

Luckily, your conservation efforts don’t have to be huge undertakings to make a difference. You can start with small changes in your daily life, and we at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing have the perfect guide for just that. As licensed home service providers, we can offer you conservation tips for areas all around your home. Read on to learn ways to make your home better for the environment through your HVAC, plumbing, electricity, and more.

As more and more homeowners become interested in sustainability and eco-friendliness, we’ll give you tips and tricks to help reduce your environmental impact.

Go low-flow

While the early versions of low-flow shower heads left much to be desired, newer state-of-the-art versions offer a satisfying shower experience at a fraction of the flow rate. Even better, this is almost always a DIY upgrade that requires only a few basic tools. You can also replace your bathroom sink faucet with a low-flow model as well as a low-flow toilet.

The EPA estimates that homeowners save as much as $110 per year on their water bills simply by switching to low-flow toilets. You should recoup your initial investment and save even more money the longer you use a low-flow toilet. Low-flow toilets can last up to 30 years without being replaced.

Since your toilet will serve you for years, it deserves a professional installation from your local Benjamin Franklin Plumbing plumber.

Energy-efficient hot water heaters

Tankless water heaters provide hot water only when it is needed. They don't produce the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters, which saves money and a ton of energy.

Users never have to wait for a massive tank of water to heat up between uses. Because of this, they are also energy efficient. Tankless water heaters also have a longer lifespan than traditional options and can even last more than 20 years!

Call (316) 768-8374 to schedule your appointment with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing – we are experts in tankless water heater installation, maintenance, and repair.

Non-toxic cleaning/plumbing products

Unlike conventional cleaning products, green cleaning products are created using safe, non-toxic and biodegradable ingredients. Eco-friendly cleaning products not only reduce air and water pollution but also help fight ozone depletion and climate change and ozone depletion.

Chlorine bleach, also known as sodium hypochlorite, is considered a poisonous and hazardous substance.

Yet, it remains one of the country's most popular cleaning and disinfecting agents. A few reasons to avoid bleach when cleaning your bathroom: it’s one of the top poisoning toxins of children, it’s corrosive to the skin and eyes, the fumes can cause asthma, the list goes on. Learn more here.

Plain white vinegar and baking soda are the OG combination for at-home cleaning remedies. For cleaning toilets combine vinegar and baking soda to clean your toilet. Loosen clogs in drains by pouring a few tablespoons of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Let it fizz for 10 minutes then rinse with hot water.

Branch Basics Concentrate is an all-in-one, non-toxic product capable of replacing all types of chemical cleaners, including bleach-based bathroom cleaners.

Remove toilet stains with this easy environmentally friendly cleaning option - an inexpensive pumice stone and a pair of rubber gloves. Gently scour the stain until it disappears. Pumice stones can be found anywhere personal care products are sold. Make sure to label which stone is used for the toilet so you don’t mix them up!

6 going-green tips you maybe haven’t heard before:

  • Clean your driveway with a broom instead of a water hose.
  • Use the garbage disposal sparingly.
  • Raise your lawnmower blade to at least 3 inches to promote deeper grass roots which hold water better.
  • Use salvaged water - Save the water you use to rinse off your fruit to water your plants or put a bucket in your shower to capture unused water.
  • Consider using advanced power strips (APS) – prevent electronics from drawing power when they are turned off or not being used.
  • Avoid watering your grass or garden when it’s windy.

If you need a hand with water-efficient plumbing upgrades or any other eco-friendly improvements to your household plumbing, contact your local experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing without delay.