Structured plumbing refers to a design that reduces pipe size and the number of runs required of water. This design saves an estimated 10,000 gallons of water a year, which can result in a noticeable reduction in your water expenses. Healthy Communities counts itself among building contractors in Williamsburg, VA that specialize in this ecologically friendly design. Here are five ways buying a home with structured plumbing will reduce your water bill:
- Reduced pipe size: Traditionally, hot water travels from a hot water heater to a bathroom or kitchen that demands it. This is often a fairly long run that ends with some hot water remaining in the pipes, where it cools. Then, when you turn on your shower or dishwasher, the cold water must leave first and is usually wasted. By shrinking the pipe size, less water sits in them waiting to be used.
- Recirculation systems: A recirculation system brings the cold water back to the water heater and supplies hot water more quickly. This ends that cold blast of water when you start a shower and also reduces water waste—and water bills. These systems used to require longer pipes, but modern ingenuity has changed things. They work well with the shorter pipe systems in homes and ensure most, if not all, water is recirculated.
- Hot water on demand: Typical systems contain temperature sensors that control the recirculation pump. When water temperature in the loop reduces to a certain level, the pump recirculates the water. Other systems keep water running continuously, which trades water bill savings for spikes in your power bill. On-demand systems do not store or maintain hot water temperature—they create hot water as you need it. While a larger home may still require a recirculation system for moving water and keeping it from sitting in pipes, it will not have to run as long with an on-demand system.
- Occupancy sensors: One of the tricks with hot water on demand is to activate hot water only when necessary. It needs to detect when a fixture needs hot water and activate the pump just prior to use. Options include occupancy sensors, manual push-buttons to activate the pump and door switches. This alerts the pump that someone is requesting hot water so it can heat the water and send it to the right fixture. Occupancy and door sensors indicate when someone is in the area, and manual buttons can be pushed right before a shower or turning on an appliance like a washing machine or dishwasher.
- Careful design: Spacing on-demand water heaters and fixtures to minimize traveling is also a major component of structured plumbing. This reduces stagnation and also scales back the energy required to heat water. Besides being ecologically friendly and reducing water bills, this will also help ensure you never experience a cold shower again!
You have your choice of building contractors in Williamsburg, VA, but the Health Communities difference guarantees an energy-efficient home with cost-saving features like structured plumbing. Contact us today to learn more and choose your next home.