Spending money to remodel kitchens and bathrooms is an excellent way to recoup an investment on home improvements. This can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you desire. Following the guidelines below, however, can assist you in saving money where it counts the most; in your utility bills. The more of these valuable measures you implement, the more you will save!
Upgrade the commode. Water-saving toilets were introduced around 1994. Homes built before this time were constructed with commodes that used as much as seven gallons of water. In comparison, the most recently designed models use less than a gallon of water with each flush. By saving between two and four gallons of water with each flush, you soon will be regaining the purchase price of your commode – by saving on your water bill!
Composting toilets are becoming more popular. These commodes do not use water for flushing, and also require less power. Furthermore, they are more environmentally friendly than standard commodes, which make them especially desirable to those interested in making “green” choices while remodeling or renovating their homes.
Install new plumbing. It’s very likely that the bathroom pipes and faucets were installed when the house was built, or with the last renovation. If your commode is older than 1994, chances are your plumbing will be older as well. Changing old, worn pipes can help you to save as much as ten percent of your water bill each month. Furthermore, if your house is more than 50 years old, lead pipes may have been used in the original plumbing. The dangers of lead poisoning have been well documented, especially in children.
Purchase low-flow showerheads. These were introduced in 1992, and are mandated in all new homes or bathroom remodeling projects. These reduce water usage to 2.5 gallons per minute, and save an estimated 15,000 liters of water each year. This translates into about a $30 decrease in the average household water bill. Recently, even more eco-friendly showerheads have been designed. These “green” options offer cost-conscious homeowners more savings than their predecessors.
Opt for tankless water heaters. These require very little space – less than 2 feet by 2 feet. In addition, they use up to 70 percent less energy than standard electric water heaters. Although they cost more upfront – approximately $1,000 more – the significant savings over time are more than worth the investment. Imagine saving 20 percent of the energy costs for your home with this environmentally friendly decision!
If you cannot afford the extra outlay to purchase a new water heater, consider dialing down the heat on your older model. Older water heaters are set to heat at 180 degrees, which is much higher than any person’s tolerance for hot water. Newer models can still be dialed as high as 150 degrees, and this is still excessively hot for most people. Turning the water heater down to 120 degrees will save energy expenses – and also decreases the risk of a burn injury to someone in your household!
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