Efficient Plumbing and Electricity by Carmel Building and Design

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Plumbing & Electricity | Heating, Ventilation, & AC | Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) | Rebates and Incentives

Plumbing & Electricity
Saving water and energy go hand in hand. A lot of energy is used transporting and heating water, so wasting water is also wasting energy. According to the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program, water heating can account for 14%–25% of the energy consumed in your home. Insulating pipes is highly recommended because it reduces heat loss and can raise water temperature 2ºF–4ºF hotter than uninsulated pipes can deliver. This allows you to keep the temperature setting of the water heater lower and receive hot water sooner (and thus save water, too). Here are some of the ways we can help you save water and energy in your new or remodeled home:

• Distribute domestic hot water efficiently; consider a recirculating pump for the hot water system
• Insulate all hot water pipes
• Use tankless/integrated water heating; these include on-demand water heaters and tankless coil water heaters, which avoid standby heat losses
• Install an integrated system that heats both water and space; these can have lower maintenance and service costs and can be cheaper to operate
• Solar hot water systems are becoming very popular; these roof-top systems use sunlight to heat water directly, and can use a water heater for backup
• Install a greywater system, which filters and treats wash water for reuse
• Install ultra-low-flow toilets (dual-flush or <1.3 gpm) and plumbing fixtures
• In the garden, use hose-end valves to control running water, and use efficient irrigation systems (or choose plants that don’t require supplemental water); irrigate with rainwater
• Generate your own electricity with rooftop photovoltaic panels (check for current incentive programs), or purchase your power from renewable sources; we can even offset the carbon footprint of your project to make it carbon-neutral
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs or other low wattage bulbs such as LED
• Take advantage of natural daylighting
• Turn off lighting and unplug appliances when not in use, and install motion-sensor light switches
• Install only water- and energy-efficient dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, and other appliances (look for ENERGY STAR appliances)
• Choose a refrigerator unit with the freezer on the bottom (as opposed to the top or side)
• Consider technologies that eliminate power drain from electronics and home circuits

On average, 40% of all electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. This is equivalent to the annual output of 17 power plants! -United States Department of Energy

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