Even if you have a relatively new plumbing system, there may come a point when you will need to update a few of the key components. Luckily, many upgrades are fairly easy to carry out, and they could have a big impact on your home’s efficiency as well as your monthly utility bills.
Tankless Water Heater
Most homeowners never even think about replacing their water heaters until they completely break down, and ignoring that appliance can be a serious mistake. An outdated or damaged water heater could result in damaged pipes, skyrocketing energy bills, loud noises during use, and water that smells unusual. Switching to a tankless water heater should lower your energy bills and provide you with a constant supply of warm water whenever it is needed.
New Pipes
If you live in an older home and have never had the pipes replaced, then it might be time to consider new pipes. Older pipes are prone to corrosion, and they could become a health hazard if you aren’t careful. Replacing the older pipes with PVC or PEX piping is a major plumbing upgrade that could add quite a bit of value to your home.
High-Efficiency Toilets
Those who have toilets that are more than a decade old should consider upgrading to dual-flush or high-efficiency toilets. An older toilet might use up to eight gallons of water for every flush, and that means you could be wasting thousands of gallons of water on a single toilet every year. Low-flow toilets use much less water because they contain a variety of new mechanical upgrades that are designed to maximize water usage without sacrificing functionality.
Insulated Pipes
If you aren’t ready for a major plumbing project, then you might want to think about insulating the pipes. This quick and simple upgrade is going to improve the efficiency of your water heater and reduce your risk of burst pipes during the coldest months of the year. As a bonus, insulating exposed pipes is a simple task that you should be able to complete on your own in a single afternoon.
Minor plumbing upgrades are relatively easy to carry out with a handful of basic tools, but major renovations must always be left to professional plumbers. A licensed and insured plumber should be able to finish most of these projects within just a few days, and they will have the training that is needed to ensure that each job gets done correctly the very first time.
