Are you concerned about your impact on the environment? If so, you're not alone, as more homeowners or businesses realize the value of adjusting their daily activities to help the planet. When people think of being eco-friendly, it can go beyond driving an electric car and recycling your materials. Being cautious about the world that you live in can start right from the comfort of your own home. From a ductless mini split install to new toilets, here are ways to create an environmentally friendly home you can be proud of.

1. Upgrade Fixtures

Bathroom renovations are extremely popular for homeowners. While many people are focusing on creating spa-like environments, they would also benefit from making their bathrooms more eco-friendly and enhancing them with low-flow fixtures. A good idea is to begin with your toilets. According to the EPA, your standard American toilet wastes as much as five gallons with each flush. You can prevent such water waste when you install a dual-flush toilet that uses less water per flush. The reason why a dual flush toilet is so effective is that one of the flush options is specifically designed to use less water.

Every time you use the toilet, you also use your sink. Plumbers can install more efficient faucets to ensure that you save water. Similarly, energy-efficient showerheads will save you water and money. Don't worry, these low-flow options still have good water pressure so you can properly sanitize your hands and take a refreshing shower as needed. With new fixtures, you'll have lower energy bills and a new, beautiful bathroom that matches your style. Your local plumber can help you find the ideal toilets, faucets, and showerheads for your home.

2. Get Regular Plumbing Inspections

You don't need to wait until something goes wrong to call out the plumber. Regular inspections will help you maintain your plumbing and avoid expensive repair costs down the road. So even if you merely suspect a leak somewhere in your home, but can't prove it, call your local plumbers to check things out. The plumbers have diagnostic tools that find the source of leaks, clogs, or other issues with your plumbing system. This professional detection by your professional plumber results in saving over 10,000 gallons of water on an annual basis, according to WebFX.

3. Install a New HVAC System

Did you know that installing a new HVAC system can also have a positive impact on the environment? Your home's electrical expenditure accounts for a significant portion of your bills. And guess what? The majority of your electrical expenditure often comes from your heating and cooling costs. In other words, the more energy that your HVAC system uses, the more impact it will have on your carbon emissions. That's why it's helpful to make sure that you have the most energy-efficient HVAC system possible. Otherwise, it could end up burning more energy than necessary.

One of the most energy-efficient units you can consider is the ductless mini split install. These types of units are great for homes that have several people living in them, multiple rooms, or several stories. These systems are made up of smaller units in different rooms or zones in your home. As a result, people in their rooms or zones can directly control the amount of heating or cooling in their particular space. Therefore, if someone likes it hot and someone else likes it cold, people can always be comfortable within their room or based on the floor that they're on.

These units are also effective at saving energy because you only have to heat or cool an area that's currently being utilized. In other words, if everyone goes upstairs for the night, you can turn your heating and cooling system off downstairs and save energy usage. If you have guest bedrooms that aren't being occupied, you don't need air circulating in that space. In some cases, you may even get a rebate or tax credit by upgrading to a more efficient HVAC system. Confirm what offers are available before making your purchase. When thinking about upgrading your HVAC system, talk to a local professional. They can not only recommend specific models and configurations, but the company can install the units for you and confirm that everything is working as it should after installation.

4. Change Your AC Filter

A good environment has clean air. When you regularly change your AC filter, you're ensuring that you're preserving high-quality air in your home. Otherwise, you're allowing residents to breathe in contaminated or moldy air that may be building up in clogged duct systems. In other words, you may be contributing to interior air pollution. If you live in an area that has pollution or a lot of dust, you may need to have the filter changed monthly. Your local HVAC company can help you determine how often you should switch out your filters. However, with a ductless mini split install, you can avoid some of this maintenance. Since this type of air conditioner doesn't have ducts, you won't need to worry about dust and pollen getting trapped in them.

5. Consider a Tankless Water Heater

A water heater is essential for ensuring that you always have hot water to wash your hands, bathe in, and wash your clothes with. But did you know that you could save space and energy by utilizing a tankless water heater? These water heaters do not hold large amounts of hot water. They only heat hot water as you use it and do so quickly. Since they can heat water quickly, they only use energy when it's truly needed.

6. Check Your Water Use Regularly

Your water bill is a good source to determine just how much water you're using every month. Make it a regular habit to compare your most recent bill to previous ones for anything that alarms you. If you're noticing a high water usage more than normal, but you haven't increased the amount of water you use, that's something that you should look into. When water is unexpectedly high and your habits haven't changed, it may be a sign that you have leaks in your home. In other words, you don't have to see the water leak dripping from the faucet or wait for dark wet stains to show up on your walls to figure out that water is creeping out somewhere where it shouldn't on your property. By quickly stopping those leaks in the bud, you're helping to preserve water waste.

As you can see, you have many options for creating the environmentally friendly home that you've always wanted to live in. Luckily, there are many skilled contractors available who can help you do so. Start by monitoring your residential water meter, checking for leaks, having plumbers do regular inspections, upgrading your HVAC system, and considering a new type of water tank. A combination of these actions can help create an eco-friendly space that can reduce the amount of water and energy you use in your home. As a result, you can reduce your carbon footprint and prevent one of the most precious resources from being wasted. Luckily, we are a contractor who can provide all of these services for you anytime. Whether you need a ductless mini split install, plumbing repairs, or an upgraded HVAC system, give Martel Plumbing & Heating a call for a consultation today.