ELLIOT'S BLUE COLLAR PLUMBING

Be Energy and Water Wise - Save Money

With energy efficient appliances, fixtures and environmental friendly products we can significantly save water and energy, reduce waste and damage to the environment.  If you decide to be energy and water efficient, you are not just practicing conservation while protecting the environment, you are saving money on your utility bills in the long run.

 

Energy and Water Wise Plumbing Inventory

Elliott’s Blue Collar Plumbing has done extensive research and started to replace (where possible) it’s inventory of parts with more environmentally-friendly parts and products that use less water without sacrificing quality, durability or customer comfort.  And mostly, these parts cost the same or sometimes even less than traditional parts, which means our customers won't pay more to be smart!

 

Converting Standard Appliances to High-Efficiency Appliances

For example, our customers can have an immediate impact on water usage by making existing toilets, sinks and showers as efficient as they can be, and when new fixtures are required, we recommend those that meet or exceed the EPA's "Water-Sense" standards.

 

Repairing Broken Sewer Pipes

We are also committed to conserving water and repairing broken sewer pipes that allow dangerous sewage to leach into the ground, sometimes contaminating our water supplies, oceans, rivers and lakes.

Pipes clog because of a gradual buildup of grease, hair, soap or food particles.

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Try to follow these tips to avoid a plumbing emergency:

 

Bathroom

Don’t flush cotton swabs, cotton balls, hair, facial scrub pads, diapers, sanitary products or similar items down the toilet. These items will not easily dissolve and will cause clogs; the best way to avoid having your guests flush the wrong things down the toilet is having a waste and trash basket close by.

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If there are many more people in your household than usual, turn up the water heater slightly to retain hot water. Do not exceed 125°F to avoid scalding.

 

Water conservation is extremely important in Nevada County!

Below are some tips and tricks to saving water (and money) and how to be more environmentally responsible.

 

Garbage Disposal

Try to refrain using your garbage disposal often.

 

No Prewash

Do not prewash dishes for automatic dishwashers unless necessary.

 

Dishwasher Load

When using an automatic dishwasher, use it only when there is a full load.

 

Rinsing Dishes

Do not let faucets run for washing or rinsing.  Fill a bowl with water for this purpose or rinse at once by using hose spray.

 

Biodegradable Detergents

Detergents, bleach and other chemicals kill the natural bacteria in your septic system and are damaging the environment.  Use biodegradable soaps and detergents that you can buy at supermarkets.

 

Lawn Watering Timer

Install a spring-loaded timer which attaches directly to your outside faucet in order to prevent excessive watering of your lawn in the summertime. They are very inexpensive and can be bought in any garden or Home Improvement Center. Water pressure above 65 psi is harmful to a plumbing system and will additionally cause excessive water usage. If water pressure exceeds 65 psi a pressure reducing valve that will limit the water pressure should be installed.  

 

Elliott’s Blue Collar Plumbing can test your water pressure and install pressure reducing valves in your home.

 

Check For Leaks

Inspect for slow leaks in your home by reading your water meter before you go to sleep and then next morning check the water meter again without having used the water overnight.  If the reading has changed you have a leak that should be repaired, give us a call.

 

Teeth Brushing

• Brush your teeth with water turned off and only turn at end to flush.

• Brush teeth before shaving to use cold water in the supply line while waiting for hot water for shaving.

 

Save Water On Toilet Flushing

If you install a new toilet flapper and fill valve it will keep your toilet running more efficiently.  Flush toilets less often and do not use the toilet for disposing of trash or waste paper.

 

Water Heater Temperature

Check the temperature on your water heater. It should not be above 120°F or have a medium setting if your water heater is an older model (low, medium high settings only)

 

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are an alternative to standard hot water heaters.  Tankless models instantly heat water as it’s used, so you don’t waste energy keeping water hot when its not needed.  You can buy new tankless water heaters directly from us or we can install one purchased from an independent plumbing supply warehouse. 

 

Water Saving Showerheads

Replacing an old shower head or faucet with a low-flow aerator can save up to 7.5 gallons of water per minute without loosing full-spray action at low or high water pressures.

 

Flow Control Devices

These devices can be installed on shower heads so water can be turned off when not needed.  The use of a flow-control device can cut water use by 50 -70 %.

 

Dripping Faucets

A leaking faucet that drips once per second can waste more than 8 gallons a day.  That's 3,000 gallons per year!

 

Washing Machine Load Size

Wash clothes only when there is a full load.

 

Stop Using Laundry Dryers

Try drying your clothes outside the old fashioned way and use the dryer less, which consumes a lot of energy and is actually unnecessary.

 

Save Water On Car-Washes

Do not water lawns or cars if not absolutely necessary.