Working from home has become the norm these days which means people are spending more time listening to their pipes banging or their faucets dripping. Add to this the outrageous prices of new housing and you have the perfect storm for a flood of plumbing upgrade requests.
More than ever homeowners are calling us to discuss ways they can transform their current spaces to make them more comfortable and energy efficient while increasing the value of their home. In this article, we will look at 9 ways our clients are using state-of-the-art technology to meet these goals and make their dreams come true. We will also discuss the benefits of these additions and why you need to call today to see how we can help you add comfort and efficiency to your home.
1. Smart Technology
Smart technology is infiltrating every aspect of our lives from home safety to plumbing. WIFI-enabled appliances and fixtures permit homeowners to enjoy the benefits of plumbing systems that can learn your patterns and make automatic adjustments to increase efficiency and comfort. These Smart systems monitor water usage and can detect problems in real time such as water leaks or burst pipes using leak detection technology.
2. Repiping
Repiping is a plumbing term used to describe the removal of old, damaged plumbing pipes with new, state-of-the-art materials that are more durable and long-lasting. Repiping eliminates the fear of leaks that can lead to costly repairs as well as possible health-related problems from mold and mildew growth. Repiping is a total overhaul of your plumbing system that, while a big project, will bring you years of peace of mind that every homeowner deserves.
3. Upgrading Plumbing Fixtures
Older plumbing fixtures are not energy-efficient and often times lack comfort. Our customers are constantly searching for better-made products with higher efficiency ratings that are pleasing to the eye and add real value to their homes. Fixtures such as low-flow toilets or smart toilets that come with every feature you can imagine are popular choices. They can wash and dry users, light up for easier nighttime use and conserve water which is good for your wallet and the environment.
Other plumbing finds are hands-free or motion-activated faucets, smart showers, touchless toilets, and Bluetooth shower heads to name a few.
4. Installing A New Water Heater
Traditional water heaters have an 8-12 year lifespan and use a storage tank to hold hot water until it is needed. The problem with this type of water heater is that water in the tank may be heated and reheated several times before there is a demand for hot water. This reheating is a waste of energy and makes this type of heater inefficient.
Quickly outpacing traditional heaters are tankless models. These work by drawing cold water directly from the mains and passing it over a heat exchanger to heat only the hot water that is immediately needed. These systems produce unlimited hot water using very efficient heating technology. Never running out of hot water is high on the comfort chart as well.
5. Adding A 2nd Floor Laundry
Adding a second-floor laundry is a real luxury. First, it eliminates the wasted energy of carrying clothes up and down and back and forth since they are often in or near the bedrooms. They also eliminate the need to house dirty clothes hampers in bedrooms making them aesthetically more pleasing.
6. Adding A Full Bath In The Basement
Adding a full bath in your basement is a great way to increase the value of your home. It also provides convenience especially when every member of your family is working from home.
7. Adding Radiant Heating
If you have never experienced a radiant floor before you are in for a real treat. There are not many experiences as luxurious as stepping out of a hot shower onto a heated floor. Once you have tried this we are certain you will be a fan.
8. Adding A Water Softener
Hard water is present in more than 85% of US homes and is responsible for the early replacement of plumbing pipes, fixtures, and appliances. The minerals found in hard water corrode pipe interiors and destroy plumbing components causing leaks, low water pressure, and other plumbing issues. Adding a softener will eliminate these problems.
In addition to softening water, a whole-home filtration system has a big impact. The quality of your water will be enhanced so you no longer feel a need to purchase bottled water which is an environmental nightmare. Fresh clean drinking water is a comfort every home should never be without!
9. Installing A Gray Water System
These systems make use of water that normally would be disposed of such as laundry room water or water from your shower or sink and divert it for later use. This water can be used for chores such as washing your car or irrigating your landscaping saving usable water that would otherwise be wasted. This is efficiency at its best!
Benefits Of Upgrading Your Plumbing System
The benefits of upgrading your plumbing are numerous and worth mentioning. In addition to increasing your system’s efficiency and your own personal comfort, your water bills each month will be significantly lower as will your service calls to repair outdated plumbing. This will minimize costly repairs from leaking, cracked pipes and increase your well-being by bypassing the spread of bacteria and mold-related illnesses.
Looking For A Plumber To Help You Upgrade Your Home?
There are proven steps you can take that will increase the enjoyment you derive from your home, upgrading your plumbing to make it as energy-efficient as possible. These upgrades will add value to your home and will provide you the peace of mind you are giving your family a safe space while keeping an eye on your budget. Give us a call and together we can formulate a plan to upgrade your home to one you can be proud of!