Living in Cochrane, we’re constantly surrounded by the natural beauty of the foothills and the Rocky Mountains. It’s a daily reminder of the precious resources we have a duty to protect, and water is at the top of that list.
What if you could help preserve our beautiful environment while also lowering your monthly utility bills? With a few smart choices in your home, you absolutely can.
Eco-friendly plumbing isn’t about sacrificing comfort; it’s about using modern, efficient technology to reduce waste. At Scott’s Plumbing, we want to share five practical ways you can make your home’s plumbing greener, saving both water and money in the process.
1. Upgrade to a High-Efficiency Toilet
If your home was built before the mid-1990s, you likely have a toilet that’s a major water hog, using 13 litres or more with every single flush. Modern high-efficiency toilets (HETs) provide the same (or better) flushing power while using just 4.8 litres of water or less.
The Impact: By replacing an old toilet with a modern WaterSense-certified model, a typical family of four can save over 60,000 litres of water per year. That’s a massive saving that you will see reflected on your utility bill year after year.
2. Install Low-Flow Faucets and Showerheads
Do you feel like you’re being blasted by your showerhead? Older fixtures can use a wasteful amount of water. Today’s low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators are engineered to use air pressure to create a strong spray that feels great while using up to 40% less water.
The Impact: Installing a low-flow showerhead can save a family over 10,000 litres of water annually. And here’s the bonus: you’re also saving the natural gas or electricity needed to heat all that water. It’s a double win for your wallet.
3. Fix Leaks Immediately
This is the easiest and most cost-effective way to stop wasting water. We often ignore a small drip, but as we’ve discussed before, the waste is staggering.
The Impact: A single faucet dripping just once per second wastes over 11,000 litres of water per year. A constantly running toilet can waste that much in a single month. Fixing leaks promptly is a simple action with a huge positive effect on your water consumption.
4. Insulate Your Hot Water Pipes
How long do you run the tap, waiting for the water to get hot? In a cold Cochrane basement, uninsulated pipes lose a lot of heat as water travels from your water heater to your faucet.
The Impact: By wrapping accessible hot water pipes with inexpensive foam insulation, you’ll get hot water to your tap faster. This directly reduces the amount of water you run down the drain while waiting. It also means your water heater doesn’t have to work as hard, which saves energy.
5. Consider an On-Demand Water Heater
For the ultimate in water heating efficiency, a tankless (or on-demand) water heater is the top choice. Instead of constantly using energy to keep a large tank of water hot 24/7, these units only heat the water you need, exactly when you need it.
The Impact: While it is a larger upfront investment, a tankless water heater eliminates standby heat loss. This can cut your water heating costs by 20-30% and provides the added benefit of endless hot water. It’s a smart, long-term upgrade for any eco-conscious homeowner.
A Greener Home is a Smarter Home
Going green with your plumbing doesn’t require a drastic change to your lifestyle. It’s about making smart, efficient choices—one fixture at a time—that benefit both the environment and your budget. Every drop saved is a win for our community and for your bank account.
Want to learn more about making your home more water-efficient? Contact Scott’s Plumbing today. We can help you find the best eco-friendly solutions for your Cochrane home and budget.