Design
Patterns and Recommendations
12.
Plumbing – Saving water inside and out
Water-conserving fixtures are beneficial both in terms of the environment and
as a means of reducing operating costs. Water use for irrigation can be reduced by
capturing runoff or, in some areas, reusing household greywater. Inside the house, conserving fixtures save water
and the energy used to heat hot water. Money
also can be saved in designing a home’s plumbing system to use the least possible
amount of piping. In some climates it may be cost-effective to install a
solar water heater.
Recommendations:
§
Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.
§
Consider greywater recovery for landscape irrigation use, where allowed by
code.
§
Install
gutters to permit rooftop rainwater collection for irrigation.
§
Insulate water heater and pipes.
§
Stack
bathrooms above one another on each floor.
§
Cluster rooms that require plumbing around a plumbing core wall to shorten
supply and drain piping runs.
Reference:
§
Residential Water Conservation
Techniques, EPA presentation
§
Household
Water Efficency, Rocky Mountain Institute
