Showerheads That Save Water

Saving water in your household can be a win-win from two standpoints. You'll save money on your monthly water bill and you'll save a precious natural resource, water.

Saving water is not as difficult as one might think, especially with the help of new technology that allows for reduced flow in showerheads and other water fixtures, while still allowing for what seems like a high-pressure spray. Fortunately, the federal government runs a program that's intended to help American consumers and businesses save water.

Called WaterSense, among other things this program certifies plumbing fixtures that save more than a benchmark minimum of water.Your water-saving efforts can start in the shower. First of all, when deciding between a bath and a shower, go with the shower. That will save substantial water right from the get-go. Then, once you're in the shower, don't stay there any longer than it takes to wash your body. (Again, this isn't only in pursuit of the altruistic goal of conserving water; you're saving money, too.)

Then, replace old-style showerheads with modern WaterSense-certified low-flow showerheads. These fixtures spray under 2 gallons per minute, while still providing plenty of water pressure (as long as your home has sufficient water pressure from outside). That's a big improvement over standard showers that spray 2.5 gallons or more per minute.You can save plenty of water with your home's toilets, too.

WaterSense-certified toilets can save 20 percent or more over industry-standard toilets that consume 1.6 gallons per flush. Plus, they'll remove all the waste, preventing situations where the toilet has to be flushed twice.Bathroom faucets also provide opportunities for saving water. Current federal rules don't allow newly manufactured faucets to deliver more than 2.2 gallons of water per minute. Older faucets sprayed as much as 3-7 gallons per minute. Most low-flow brands will still supply adequate water pressure while delivering much less water.

For more information on water-efficient showerheads and other water-saving strategies for your home, please contact us at Air Assurance, providing superior plumbing and HVAC services in Broken Arrow and the surrounding area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about showerheads and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Name of Artist/Shutterstock”

What to Know About Water Filtration Systems

If your home is plagued with poor water quality, a whole-home filtration system can offer a solution. There are three main technologies used today to improve water quality: a chemical process, UV light or a filtering medium. These methods are effective at addressing specific issues such as hard water, excessive sediment, bacteria and other biological contaminants, or chemical additives like chlorine.

Owning a Water Filtration System Offers Numerous Benefits

A big benefit of installing this kind of system is that it ensures better quality water in every area of your home. The unit is installed on the main water line where it enters the building, so the incoming supply gets sent through it before flowing along to your fixtures, faucets and appliances.

When you have a whole-home system in place, you'll reap other benefits too, including:

• Safer water with no unpleasant smell or taste: When bacteria, viruses and other biological contaminants are killed, and added chemicals like chlorine removed, you'll have a clean, healthy water supply that smells and tastes good.

• Extended life for your plumbing system and appliances: Eliminating minerals that cause scale buildup lengthens the service life of your water-using appliances and plumbing system and preserves good water pressure.

• A hedge against municipal supply problems: You can rest easy knowing you have safe, clean water when a municipal supply contamination, broken main or other such problem occurs.

Choosing the Right System is Essential

Before you decide on a type of system, get your water tested to pinpoint the exact quality issues you need to address. Then, talk to an experienced professional plumber who can recommend the right solution to match your needs.

• To clear out sediment, a reverse osmosis system is best.

• For softening hard water, you need an ion exchange unit.

• A UV light is used to kill bacteria, viruses and other biological contaminants.

• To eliminate odors and improve taste, activated-carbon or oxidizing units are recommended.

• For multiple issues, there are multi-stage systems that combine different technologies.

For expert advice about installing a water filtration system in your Broken Arrow home, contact us at Air Assurance today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “ronymichaud/Pixabay”