Imagine waking up on a chilly morning, heading to the bathroom to brush your teeth, and being hit with the shock of icy water. Or maybe you've noticed your water bill creeping higher every month despite your best efforts to conserve. These everyday frustrations are more than just minor inconveniences—they’re signs that your home's plumbing could be working smarter, not harder. Read on to learn about upgrades you can make to save water and lower your utility bills.

1. Low-flow Fixtures

One of the best places to start upgrading your home's plumbing is with low-flow fixtures. These include things like low-flow showerheads and faucets. The beauty of these fixtures is that they will use less water while still providing you with the same amount of pressure that you're used to experiencing. WaterSense-certified fixtures can reduce water use by 20%-30% without impacting performance. They're an absolute no-brainer when it comes to reducing your home's water usage without having to make any real sacrifice.

2. Smart Plumbing Systems

Smart plumbing systems are specifically designed to allow you to control, monitor, and optimize your water usage. With this type of system, you can receive real-time alerts sent directly to your smartphone whenever your plumbing system detects that there's a leak. Some newer systems will even shut off the water valve going to an area where a leak is detected to help prevent excessive water damage. Apart from helping with leak detection and prevention, a smart plumbing system will monitor your consumption patterns. Some smart water meters can track small leaks and consumption trends, allowing you and your family to actively monitor your water usage and make adjustments accordingly. Smart plumbing systems can even integrate with other appliances, like smart water heaters, to help maximize their efficiency.

3. Dual-flush Toilets

An innovative feature for your toilet is the dual-flush toilet. This toilet gives the user the option of using a small amount of water or a larger amount of water. The small amount of water is intended to flush liquid waste, while the large amount is intended to flush solid waste. A dual-flush toilet can reduce water use by up to 67% per flush compared to traditional models.

4. Tankless Water Heater

One of the best upgrades you can invest in for your home is a tankless water heater. A traditional water heater will run to continually heat the water inside its storage tank until you need it. Unfortunately, this can waste a lot of energy if you're not using a large amount of water. A tankless water heater will heat water only when you demand it. While tankless water heaters do not significantly reduce water usage, they do save energy and can shorten wait times for hot water when combined with a hot water recirculation system.

5. Insulate Hot Water Pipes

Few things are more frustrating than waiting for hot water to finally reach your faucet or shower, especially on a cold morning. Depending on how far your water heater is from the fixture, you could be wasting gallons of water every day as you wait for it to warm up. One effective solution is insulating your hot water pipes. By wrapping your pipes in specialized foam or fiberglass insulation, you help retain heat as the water moves through your plumbing system. This means water stays warmer for longer, reducing the need for reheating and allowing you to get hot water faster when you turn on the tap. This upgrade is especially beneficial for homes with long pipe runs or exposed plumbing in colder climates. While pipe insulation significantly reduces heat loss and improves efficiency, it does not completely eliminate wasted water. For even better results, consider pairing this upgrade with a hot water recirculation system, which keeps warm water readily available at your taps, further minimizing waste and waiting times.

6. Upgrade Your Appliances

Outdated appliances can be driving up your water bill without you even realizing it. If your washer, dishwasher, or other appliances are over 10 years old, it's time to consider upgrading. ENERGY STAR®-certified dishwashers and washing machines use 50% less water and energy than older models. They also tend to be more energy efficient, so you can enjoy saving money on both your energy bills and your water bills.

7. Pressure Reducing Valve

Another helpful tip for reducing your household water consumption is to use a pressure-reducing valve. It's commonplace for most homes to need these valves to help reduce the water pressure coming in from the main city's water supply line. If your home doesn't have a pressure-reducing valve, it's high time to consider installing one. Reducing water pressure by just 10 PSI can save thousands of gallons of water annually, helping you use less water for daily tasks like bathing or brushing your teeth.

8. Hot Water Recirculation System

Another great option is to go with a hot water recirculation system. Water that sits in your hot water lines between your water heater and your plumbing fixtures can cool down over time. A hot water recirculation pump will continually move this water so that it's reheated on a regular basis. This will ensure that when you turn on the hot water faucet, hot water comes out immediately. When you get hot water right away, you don't have to waste any cold water. To maximize efficiency, consider a timer-controlled or demand-activated recirculation system to reduce unnecessary energy use.

9. High-efficiency Toilets

Another innovative fixture that will help to reduce your household's water consumption is the high-efficiency toilet. Typical toilets use around 1.6 gallons for every flush. High-efficiency toilets only use 1.28 gallons per flush. These high-efficiency toilets are specifically designed to ensure adequate waste removal while being able to use much less water.

10. An Annual Inspection

While upgrading your home's plumbing system to include all the great ideas we went over above can be a great way to help reduce your water usage, it's only part of the equation. The other part is to ensure that you're getting annual plumbing inspections from a licensed plumbing professional. This will help to identify any sort of hidden plumbing leaks that you may have and allow them to be repaired in a timely fashion. Small leaks can waste hundreds of gallons of water monthly if left undetected.

Exceptional Plumbing Upgrade Service

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® offers exceptional plumbing fixture upgrade service to Minnesota's North Metro community. We can also help with all your emergency plumbing, bathroom, and kitchen plumbing solutions! Contact our friendly staff today to book your next service consultation.