How to Make a Difference by Going Green

Mother Earth has been good to you, right? How about returning the favor with a little extra love for the environment as we celebrate Earth Day on April 22? While Earth Day is for just one day, becoming aware of how you can make a difference and including those habits in your daily routine can bring about change that matters.

Here is a list of things you can do to make the planet a little greener, from our team here at Roman Plumbing Inc.

Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

Start With Your Plumbing Fixtures

Given that the world is in the hands of a water scarcity crisis, it is an environmentally friendly move to conserve water whenever you can.

One way to do that is to install eco-friendly plumbing fixtures. Low-flow showerheads work by restricting water flow while maintaining water pressure.

They use about a third of water compared to traditional showerheads. Installing an eco-friendly faucet can save you up to 700 gallons of water in a year per faucet.

Did you know that your toilets use almost 30 percent of your total household water? Reduce that by installing a low-flow toilet.

Switch Your Water Heater

For more savings and support to the environment, switch your traditional hot water tank for an energy efficient tankless model. They work on-demand, which means that you won’t waste water or energy to heat and store it.

They can be slightly more expensive to install at the outset, but the cost savings over time are substantial.

Ban Plastic Water Bottles

Plastic water bottles are expensive and usually end up in landfills. Make a better choice by installing a water filtration system. A point-of-use system is a good option and can go right on your faucet.

Many use reverse osmosis to remove impurities from the water while leaving healthy minerals behind. If you are also in need of water softening, it might be worth your while to install a whole home system that can assist with that as well.

To Mark Earth Day

On April 22, do something above and beyond to get your environmentally friendly habits in high gear. Do a home energy audit to make sure that you’re not wasting energy. Inspect windows and doors to make sure that they are airtight.

Confirm that you have EnergyStar rated appliances. Replace old light bulbs with LED bulbs. Install a programmable thermostat so that you’re only heating or cooling your home when you need it, and not while you are out of the house.

Ways to Make Your Carbon Footprint Smaller

Once you’ve made the decision to be more environmentally friendly, amplify the impact of your efforts by reducing your carbon footprint.

Eat locally grown food, because fewer fossil fuels are used to transport it to the store. Compost your food waste instead of putting it in the garbage.

Think about getting a hybrid car. Harness the power of the sun by installing solar panels.