See Chapter 6, Room Additions in the book Green Remodeling for more details. 

 

 

 

 

 

Green Plumbing for Additions Checklist

  • Install a tankless water heater
  • Insulate your hot water pipes (new and existing)
  • Insulate your water heater
  • Install high-efficiency, dual flush toilets
  • Install flow reducers on faucets and shower heads
  • Install on-demand circulation systems
  • Install a drain water heat recovery system
  • Pre-plumb, or install a greywater system (not legal in all areas)
  • Pre-plumb for future solar hot water

Green Additions/Remodel Best Practices

Green Plumbing for Additions

Water is a very precious commodity. If your project involves plumbing, installing new water-saving faucets and showerheads can greatly reduce your water usage. There are many inventive methods to do this without compromising on comfort. Talk to your plumber about green practices. Make sure your plumber has experience in new plumbing practices and understands your commitment to water conservation.

Here are some tips to reduce your water use:

Insulate Your Pipes

Insulating your hot water pipes will reduce the heat losses as the hot water flows to your faucet. It will also reduce standby losses, or energy lost through walls and up the flue of the hot water tank. Insulate hot water pipes in all runs through unconditioned spaces, including basements, crawlspaces, and attics.

Remove Plumbing from Outside Walls

Pipes in exterior walls will cool more quickly than pipes in the interior walls, which tend to be significantly warmer. Remove pipes from outer walls and install the in interior walls. This can be costly, but makes sense if you are in the process of tearing down walls anyway.

Install On-demand Hot Water Circulation Pump

An "on-demand" hot water circulation pump can send hot water to fixtures in seconds without wasting water while waiting for it to get hot. Install the pump at the furthest faucet from the water heater.

Install Low-Flush Toilets

Toilet designs continue to evolve, but many of the earlier problems with low-flush toilets (which often led to double flushing) have been resolved.

Install High-performance Showerheads

Use a high performance showerhead in place of a traditional showerhead. For those who enjoy pressure-pounding showers, "faucet aerator" varieties exist with mixing chambers that emit a powerfully wetting and massaging combination of air and water.

Install Faucet Flow Reducers

Flow reducers fit into the aerator at the tip of the faucet and reduce the rate of water flow though the faucet by as much as 40% with little noticeable effect.