The biggest challenge for the plumbing industry in 2024 will be deciding how to provide customers with budget-conscious ways to conserve water and energy. Water scarcity is a growing concern across the world, with governments, businesses and private citizens creating goals to reduce waste. Meeting the needs of businesses and families who are turning towards sustainable living through green solutions, such as water recycling systems and smart technology, not only conserves water but also adapts your business for an environmentally conscious market.
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- The benefits of ‘green’ plumbing
- Environmentally friendly product alternatives
- Innovative plumbing tech solutions
1. The benefits of providing ‘green’ plumbing options
Investing in green plumbing solutions has a triple benefit:
- They provide your plumbing business with a clear competitive edge.
- They offer homeowners long-term energy and water savings.
- They contribute to the global effort to reduce water waste and reliance on fossil fuels.
Being available to provide a range of environmentally viable products shows your business's dedication to a sustainable future - while this is a great benefit for most homeowners it also gives your business a definitive edge with bidding for larger-scale projects. Internationally, government bids and large-scale infrastructure must meet strict environmental goals. Familiarising yourself with the products available sets your business up to successfully bod for these projects in the future.
2. Environmentally conscious product alternatives
Smart plumbing practices also play a crucial role in enhancing the energy efficiency of home appliances and plumbing fixtures. By addressing common issues like leaks, poor temperature control, and faulty installation, green plumbing technologies can significantly reduce unnecessary water wastage.
Most households waste between 15,000 and 20,000 litres of water every year - enough to supply 7,500 people with fresh drinking water for an entire day. While sustainability in plumbing begins with eco-friendly design, it's also crucial for plumbing contractors to use environmentally friendly equipment during installation and maintenance. Adopting low-flow fixtures, recyclable pipes, and drip irrigation systems is a step towards reducing wasted water.
Environmentally conscious product alternatives include:
Low-flow faucets
An efficient faucet can reduce the flow rate by up to 30%. On average they save homeowners up to 50% of their water bills. This makes efficiency faucets an easy sell to homeowners when bidding on plumbing jobs, as they often pay for themselves within the year.
Toilets with smaller tanks
Most new toilets on the market use roughly 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF), thanks to EPA standards. Replacing toilets in older homes could provide massive savings. For example, if just one neighbourhood of 100 homes were to upgrade its toilets, it could save approximately 18,000 gallons of water in a week.
Low-flow showers
Low-flow shower heads can significantly reduce water consumption by 30% to 70%. In a household of four people, this translates to saving up to 40 gallons per day, or over 14,000 gallons annually.
Thermoplastic pipes
Plastic pipes are mainly manufactured from thermoplastics, which are 100% recyclable and sustainable - if care is taken to recycle them properly. The commonly used thermoplastics for pipe applications are Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP)
The installation is only the start - suggesting ongoing maintenance and educating clients on how to maintain their products is a way to build a positive relationship, save water in the long-run, may result in more work and help to prolong the lifespan of these products. Additional services to offer could include;
- Regular boiler maintenance
- Repairs for dripping taps and running toilets
- Leak monitoring devices
- Routine pump checks
3. Innovative plumbing technology
The innovations in plumbing technology are largely aiming to reduce waste and stop costly leaks - before they spill out of control.
Brain pipes
The technology is based on monitoring water pressure. When it senses a pressure drop, without logging someone's turned anything on, it triggers an alarm. Then, the system shuts off the water supply (stopping water damage in its tracks) and sends a message to the homeowner. This message can lead them straight to the leak — so they can call for help before the problem spreads.
Smart water management systems
These systems use sensors and data analytics to monitor water usage across an entire plumbing infrastructure. They detect leaks, track usage patterns, and optimise water flow, all with the aim to minimise waste. Beyond water conservation, they also contribute to energy efficiency by reducing the need for extra water pumping and treatment.
Leak sensors
Leak sensors are specific devices within a plumbing system focused on detecting leaks. While they may be a part of both Brain Pipes and Smart Water Management Systems, they're limited to leak detection. These sensors can be standalone devices that attach to plumbing infrastructure or are -placed in high-risk areas, or integrated parts of a larger smart plumbing system.
Tankless water pumps
Most homes store and heat their water in big 80-gallon tanks. But what if you could get the same amount of hot water without using a tank at all? Tankless, or on-demand water heaters, involve the installation of a small water heating unit close to an appliance that might need hot water. Tankless water pumps heat water only when needed, unlike standard heaters that maintain hot water 24/7. They save water and energy, typically reducing usage by 24 to 30%. Additionally, they have a longer lifespan, lasting more than 10 years longer than traditional water heaters.
Solar water heaters
Solar water heaters, which draw power from the sun, can heat water in a tank connected to flat panels installed on the roof. These systems often operate in a closed loop or an indirect system, where a mixture of glycol and water prevents the liquid inside from freezing. Additionally, they typically include a heat-absorbing backplate which maximises the solar panels efficiency.
Grey water systems
Grey water recycling is a sustainable practice gaining traction as an alternative to traditional plumbing systems. Grey water refers to gently used water from sources such as showers, sinks, and washing machines. With simple filtration systems in place, this grey water can be treated and reused for non-potable purposes, such as landscape irrigation or flushing toilets. Grey water recycling not only reduces demand for freshwater supplies but also minimises the environmental impact of wastewater disposal.
4. Job management software
A more efficient business means less time and resources spent on unnecessary travel and supplies. One of the most effective ways to optimise staff allocation, engagement, and productivity is by using a job management and tracking tool.
Tradify is a job management app used by tens of thousands of tradespeople building better lives and businesses worldwide. It’s designed to save you time on all the features you need to manage and grow a successful trade business.
Some of the benefits include:
- Quoting and estimating – create quotes and estimates quickly from any device — on-site, on the go, on the couch or in the office.
- Invoicing – create professional-looking custom invoices quickly, so you can get paid faster.
- Scheduling – get a real-time view of project schedules, active jobs, and the locations of staff or subcontractors for real-time collaboration.
- Job tracking – keep track of time spent on jobs, organise work and create individual tasks for your staff or subcontractors. Make team collaboration easier than ever.
- Timesheets – create and submit digital timesheets and use the live job timer to record hours and track time.
- Enquiries – respond to enquiries wherever you are and whenever you like.
- Automated payment reminders – automatically send follow-up emails for unpaid invoices and get paid faster.
- Subcontractor management – connect with subcontractors, organise jobs and send or receive important job information.
- Creating an Instant Website – create a custom website tailored for your business and potential customers.
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