Are you a lover of all things fresh and new? If you are someone who has the latest gadgets lining your desk, your wrist, and your car, invite your love of technology into your home — more specifically, into your plumbing system.
From fixtures that reduce your water footprint to automation systems, you can make several innovative home updates. Keep reading to learn about some of them.
1. Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters have been around for nearly 100 years, but in recent decades they have undergone tremendous changes. Tankless systems heat water based on demand. Instead of keeping a reservoir of warm water inside the tank, the water is warmed as it flows through the system when you turn on the faucet.
This type of setup delivers all-around savings for the average homeowner, with the potential to reduce energy costs by as much as 34%. An on-demand system also typically lasts longer than traditional storage tanks. A storage tank-based system lasts around 10 to 15 years, while tankless systems last upwards of 20 years.
Aside from the cost savings, tankless water heaters eliminate the likelihood of you running out of hot water, since you don't have to wait for the tank to refill and reheat once all the hot water is depleted. For added benefits, install a tankless heater at each hot water connection in your home.
2. Automatic Faucets
When you leave the water on while you are brushing your teeth, you waste about 5 gallons of water. Imagine just how much water would be wasted if someone were to leave the faucet on all day while they were gone to work. An automatic faucet can help you avoid this scenario.
Automatic faucets function much like the faucets you find in airports, hospitals, or shopping mall bathrooms. These faucets are designed with built-in sensors that detect the presence of your hands and prompt the water to turn on.
You can even find options with digital displays that allow you to adjust the temperature of the water before turning the faucet on, which will also minimize water waste. In the bathroom, automatic faucets may also help reduce the spread of germs since you do not have to put your hands on the faucet to turn it on.
If you have small children, reducing the spread of germs is an especially helpful feature.
3. Leak Detectors
Home floods are extraordinarily costly. With even a small amount of water, you may have to pay for new drywall, floor replacement, household item replacement, and mold remediation. When the entire restoration process is complete, a homeowner can easily pay thousands of dollars.
While leaks occur for a variety of reasons, some of which are beyond the control of the homeowner, the faster a leak is detected, the less of an impact it will have. Luckily, you can have smart leak detector devices installed in your home.
These detectors work by sensing the presence of moisture and are typically installed near tanked water heaters, washing machines, under the sink, and in other areas where there is a leak risk. If water is detected, these water-proof, Wi-Fi enabled devices to send an alert to a pre-installed app on your smartphone or another Internet-enabled device.
Since each sensor is labeled on the app by location, you can quickly locate the source of the problem. A plumbing professional can help you determine where to install these devices in your home.
Technology advancements are meant to enhance your life and increase efficiency — and they're pretty cool too. If you are looking to make smart updates around your home that help you use and control your plumbing system more efficiently, Clearly Plumbing is at your service. Contact us to learn how we can help you.