Support Earth Day This Week With These Money-Saving Plumbing Tips

Posted on April 22, 2022 by weilhammerplumbing

Today, April 22, 2022, is Earth Day! There are many ways to show your support for this very important and special day, and we hope that you find joy in whatever you choose! As for plumbing, you can save money and back the Earth Day cause by adopting some new plumbing-related systems and practices!

Continue below to learn more about the meaning of Earth Day, plus how you can make the switch to Eco-friendly plumbing in support of the environment and your bank account!

Plumbing Service Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870

What Does Earth Day Mean to You?

Earth Day was officially established in 1970, following a tremendously damaging oil spill in Santa Barbara, California that got the attention of Senator Gaylord Nelson. He came up with the idea after seeing how destructive the oil spill was to the local Eco-systems and dependent economies. He wanted the nation to realize just how important it is to preserve and protect our natural resources. Back then, the nation did not pay much attention to the damaging effects of industrial and societal pollution. Rachel Carson’s 1962 publication of “Silent Spring” was one of the first considerations of such environmental threats.

So, with gusto, Senator Nelson decided to gather up a group of trusted colleagues to brainstorm ways to increase such awareness. The result was the proclamation of April 22nd to be a “national teach-in on the environment.” Of course, we know this as Earth Day now. In fact, Earth Day was one of the catalysts of the environmental movement that lead to the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and even the passing of important acts, like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

✨ Visit earthday.org to learn more!

Eco-Friendly Plumbing to Support Earth Day and Environmental Protection:

Tankless Water Heaters

By making the switch from a traditional, tank-style water heater to a tankless water heater, you can preserve natural resources and save money for years to come. According to the Department of Energy, tankless water heaters can reduce energy consumption by 25% to 50% compared to tank-style units.

Tankless water heaters are highly energy-efficient, and a trusted alternative to on-demand hot water. Water is only heated when prompted, like when you run a bath or shower. That way, you are not wasting precious energy to keep water hot in the tank. These water heaters come in electric or gas.

Water Heater Temperature Setting

Having a water heater temperature setting that is too high poses a lot of safety risks, but also wastes energy. Set your water heater at a safe and comfortable 120° Fahrenheit to conserve energy and prevent burns and scalding accidents.

Dual-Flush Toilets

Water-saving toilets save more than just water. They also save you money on utility bills, potentially hundreds of dollars a year. Consider installing a dual-flush toilet to increase the level of water preservation in your home or office. These toilets are specially-designed to provide an option for a light flush or a deep flush. Think light for liquids and deep for solids. If your toilets were installed back in the 90’s, you are likely using up to 3 gallons of water per flush. That’s too much water!

Faucet Aerators

By adding aerators to your sink faucets, you can significantly reduce water wastage in your home or office. Also called low volume water restrictors, these tiny plumbing devices do what they claim: they mix the flow of water with air, thus aerating it, which reduces the volume of water flow. This can save up to 2.2 gallons of water! Plus, they are easy to install, as they simple screw onto the end of your faucets, and they come with an inexpensive price tag.

Additionally, you can swap out your old shower heads for a low-flow showerhead, which basically works in the same way as faucet aerators. A low-flow showerhead can potentially save the average family thousands of gallons of water each year. When shopping around, look for the WaterSense label.

Drip Repair

If you have a slow drip coming from a faucet, bathtub spout, or showerhead, it is money-wise to have it repaired right away. Whether a slow drip or a continuous one, this plumbing defect can waste a lot of water. In turn, your monthly utility bills take a hit.

Pipe Insulation

If your pipes are not properly insulated, whether lacking insulation or fitted with the wrong type of insulation, it can cause massive heat loss in your home’s water. By improving or repairing plumbing pipe insulation, you can better conserve energy and water.

Are you looking for a trusted plumber that can help you incorporate some Eco-friendly elements into your home or office? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 when you need professional and affordable plumbing services for water heaters, toilets, plumbing pipes, and more, in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients.

4 Ways to Go Green With Home Plumbing

Posted on November 11, 2020 by weilhammerplumbing

Anytime of year is a good time to re-plan your budgets and finances. If you are looking to save some money this season or next, a great way to do so is by going green. Remember to turn off your lights, cut back on waste, reuse as much as possible, drive less, and so forth. As for your home plumbing, it can get greener too. Continue below to learn 4 effective and lucrative ways to go green with home plumbing.

Indianapolis Master Plumbing Service 317-784-1870 — Interested in installing a duel-flush toilet to save money? Call 317-784-1870 today!

Green Plumbing is a Trend That Will Never Fade Away

There is really no good reason to not save money when you can. When it comes to plumbing, there are several ways to lessen your water and energy consumption, thus reducing your monthly utility bills. As an added bonus, you and your family are doing wonders to support and preserve our Earth’s natural resources! Although there are many changes and additions to choose from in order to obtain greener plumbing practices, you can easily start by focusing on the top 4 methods recommended by other green homeowners. These include replacing shower heads and faucets, installing low volume water restrictors, updating the water heater, and switching to high-efficiency appliances.

Shower Head and Faucet Replacement

Shower heads, faucets, and related plumbing fixtures are designed to last, but not forever. At some point in time, over the course of just a few years sometimes, these fixtures begin to decrease in efficiency. In fact, you can usually tell when they need to be replaced because they begin to show problems with their performance. Not only will new shower heads and faucets support proper performance, which in turn increases efficiency, but you can take it a step further and actually opt for environmentally-friendly plumbing fixtures that are designed to use up to 30% less than standard ones.

Water Heater Upgrade

Your water heater is a prime plumbing appliance in your home. After all, without hot water on demand, we are back in the dark ages. Hot water is important for function, quality of life, and even our health. So, it is important to ensure your hot water heater is performing optimally; otherwise, you could be losing quite of bit of money due to wasted water and energy. One way to go green with home plumbing is to simply update or replace your water heater. Talk to a local water heater repair professional to learn whether or not your hot water heater requires some maintenance or a full-on replacement. There are plenty of energy-efficient water heaters on the market today that make great options for green living.

Low Volume Water Restrictor Installation

Another option for going green is to mitigate your home’s water consumption. One way to do this is to have a professional plumber install low volume water restrictors. Also known as pressure-reducing valves, low volume water restrictors lessen the amount of water forced through fixtures like shower heads and faucets. In turn, they reduce your home’s monthly water consumption without you even realizing it. Your home’s current water pressure setting is likely close to the average residential water pressure setting, which 70psi. However, pressure-reducing valves reduce this up to half the volume, which is still plenty for a comfortable living.

High-Efficiency Appliance Procurement

Another easy and instant way to go green with home plumbing is to make the switch to high-efficiency, or higher-efficiency, appliances. Appliances to consider include toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters, water softeners, and water purification systems. Take your toilets for instance; they typically use an average of 3½ gallons of water PER FLUSH. With a high-efficiency toilet, you can reduce this average to 1½ gallons or less! In fact, duel flush toilets are a popular choice for improved flush efficiency and water preservation.

Talk to a Trusted Indianapolis Master Plumber for Green Plumbing Advice and Service

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for green plumbing advice or routine plumbing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to provide free estimates, free advice, and a wide range of affordable plumbing services for residential and commercial properties. Call 317-784-1870 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis water hammer repair, today.

Indianapolis Indiana Master Plumbers 317-784-1870

Recommended Green Plumbing That Will Reduce Energy Usage

Posted on April 9, 2020 by weilhammerplumbing

There are plenty of ways to support the health and preservation of our environment, but only a few ways that helps save you money at the same time. Green plumbing not only reduces your energy consumption at home, it can also reduce monthly utility bills, appliance repair and replacement costs, and much more.

Continue reading for some effective green plumbing applications that can help you achieve a higher level of energy efficiency, while also providing budget security.

Indianapolis Master Plumber Service 317-784-1870

Why Green Plumbing is a Good Choice

Not only can you feel good about helping the environment and saving some cash by switching to greener plumbing options, you can feel good knowing that you are doing your part to support a better world for your children. Below are some of the top-recommended green plumbing applications you should consider incorporating into your home, whether planning a new construction project, opting for a full-service remodel, or interested in making little changes over time.

Insulated Pipes

When plumbing pipes are not adequately insulated, a home can experience a significant amount of heat loss, which ultimately costs money. By insulated your plumbing pipes, you can instantly stop heat loss, and therefore, retain your conditioned air longer. This reduces the need to continue running your furnace or central heater, which costs a lot of money. Furthermore, properly insulated pipes protect against standby energy loss from your water heater tank.

Solar Water Heating

There are several different kinds of solar heating options, all of which share similar properties and principles, but vary in ranges of efficiency. Solar heating heats a home by using solar energy derived from the sun and sunlight. Solar panels trap the solar energy and then transfers the heat to a central boiler. The boiler then heats the water and distributes it to the areas of the home upon request. All of this water is heated by the sun! If sunlight is low, or its dark outside, then the original boiler is used instead. Systems usually last anywhere from 20 to 30 years, but some have been reported lasting for more than forty!

Low Volume Restrictors

Low volume restrictors, also known as “flow” or “water” restrictors, are small, disk-shaped barriers that can be installed on certain plumbing fixtures, namely faucets and showerheads, to reduce the amount of water flow for the purpose of conserving water and energy. They are installed in various configurations, and come in numerous brands, makes, and models. Commonly, they are either added as a whole unit to replace a standard flow-directing screen on a plumbing fixture, or built in as a part of the fixture.

Water Softening

Water softeners, or conditioners, are imperative to water quality, as well as, plumbing efficiency. They eliminate hard minerals in water that damage and corrode plumbing systems with limescale buildup, rust, and more. They also improve the feel and function of water, saving you money on things like shampoo, soap, and even water since you won’t need to spend too much time trying to rinse off in the shower. Hard minerals can also negatively affect laundry, and a softener can protect your clothing and extend their life, thus reduces shopping costs.

Whole House Water Filtration

By installing activated carbon filters or reverse osmosis system, you can significantly reduce the level of contaminants in your home’s drinking water. Not only does this save money by protecting your plumbing systems, such as your water heater, pipes, and softener, it also makes your tap water taste better, which reduces bottled water costs.

The Indianapolis Plumbing Service to Trust

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need a licensed plumbing service in Indianapolis at an affordable price. We offer a wide range of standard and master plumber services for both residential and commercial properties. We also offer free estimates, free plumbing advice, and even free haul-away for old plumbing appliances like water heaters, water softeners, sump pumps, and more. Request a free estimate, today.