2017 August

Green Laundry Made Simple

No, you don’t need to ditch your all-too-convenient washer and dryer. Then again, chances are you wouldn’t even be looking at this blog if you weren’t interested in additional ways to conserve energy and water. So, let’s have it, shall we?

Best case scenario, your washing machine is eclipsed only by your heating and cooling systems in home energy consumption. Washing machines also consume large amounts of water. It’s only natural, therefore, to consider how to enjoy clean clothes, bedding and towels while using less energy and water. Here are several tried and true methods to consider:

Get yourself a clothes line. Hang your clothes outside to dry, weather permitting. Or, when the weather doesn’t, use an indoor drying rack. The latter might not be the solution for every load, but can be a great asset for smaller loads.

Wear clothes multiple times. We’re not suggesting that you lower your clean clothing standards, just pointing out that not everything you or your family wears needs to be washed after just one use.

Rinse your clothes in cold water. Energy Star states that nearly 90% of the energy needed to run a load of clothes is consumed in the task of heating the water. By rinsing your clothes in cold water, you can reduce energy consumption in a big way.

Only wash full loads. Filling up your washing machine with water requires energy, and energy is wasted every time you wash less than a full load of clothes.

Clean the dryer lint filter after every load. A lint-free filter improves air circulation and speeds up the drying process.

Here’s another way to reduce water and energy consumption at home: make your next water heater a tankless system. That’s right, by getting rid of the storage tank system that keeps your water heated 24/7, you’ll conserve large amounts of electricity. You’ll use less water, too, as tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand, meaning no more waiting for it to turn hot. And let’s not forget the added storage space you’ll gain by switching to a tankless system, as tankless system heat exchangers are wall-mounted and can be installed just about anywhere, including inside a closet.

To learn more about tankless water heaters, and how to conserve greater amounts of energy and water, contact your friends in the business today: Norhio Plumbing.

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August 14th, 2017Comments Off on Why You Should Drink Less Bottled Water

Why You Should Drink Less Bottled Water

We all use bottled water at one time or another to satisfy our need for “clean and fresh”. And that’s true whether at home or on the go.

But legions of people across the land overdo it, thus creating an ecological menace. Consider these very real and alarming statistics:

Plastic bottles take 700 years to begin composting

90% of the cost of bottled water is due to the bottle itself

80% of plastic bottles are not recycled

38 million plastic bottles go to the dump per year in America from bottled water (not including soda)

24 million gallons of oil are needed to produce a billion plastic bottles

Anytime bottled water is your only clean water solution, please recycle. But for just about every other clean water need, a home water filtration system is the better choicer. These are the two types we most often recommend and install:

Point-of-use (also called “under sink”) water filters remove lead and other impurities as you draw water from your faucet. The water tank and filter are installed under your sink, and we have different size tanks to accommodate your average daily consumption. Each point-of-use system comes with its own dedicated faucet, and we offer multiple styles and options to suit your décor and personal taste.

Whole-house water filters provide clean, purified water from every water source in your home, including your washing machine, dishwasher, faucets, shower, and all the rest. This is the solution for people who want clean, soft, and filtered water – no substitutions, please!

More Benefits of Filtered Water.

Water filters greatly reduce the risk of rectal cancer, colon cancer, and bladder cancer by removing chlorine and chlorine byproducts from drinking water.

Water filters provide the healthiest water for children’s developing immune systems.

Water filters provide the last line of defense between the body and the over 2,100 known toxins that may be present in drinking water.

And, of course, you’ll save money on bottled water, about 40% of which is nothing more than tap water. Plus, did you know that about 90% of the cost to manufacture bottled water is for the bottle?

To learn more about your water filtration options and which type of system is best for your family’s needs and budget, contact Norhio Plumbing today. We’re your local water filtration specialists.