Go Green!

Comparing Plumbing Pipe Materials

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is the most widely used pipe material, followed by iron, copper, and ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), another common type of plastic used in drainage pipes. New polyethylene and polypropylene products are more eco-friendly but less widely available. How do they all compare in materials, energy inputs and lifespan?
Iron and copper: Metal pipes often have high levels of recycled content, and are easily recycled. However, even recycled metal pipes are energy-intensive. Melting and forming copper and iron products at extreme temperatures consumes more energy than the production process for plastic pipes.

Metal pipes are stronger and more crack-resistant, but they also corrode faster, adding potentially dangerous residues to water. Were a KIMAB, a European corrosion and metals research institute, estimates iron drainpipes have a 50-year lifespan. However, epoxy pipe linings add up to 50 years of life to metal pipes while also improving the water quality by adding a barrier between the water and corroding metal.
PVC: Hard plastics are largely made with raw petroleum-based chemicals, and discarded pipes mostly end up in landfills. Some PVC products can be recycled, but recycling is expensive and the market demand is low because virgin PVC is cheap. However, environmental costs may be high. Greenpeace and other environmental groups oppose all use of PVC, which they say emits possibly harmful chemicals throughout production, use, and disposal. The Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association estimates PVC pipes will last 100 years under normal conditions if properly installed.

Other plastics: Polyethylene and polypropylene are generally less toxic. Aquatherm, a German company, makes polypropylene pipes that are listed as Green Peace International's only "future-friendly" plumbing product. These alternative plastics are more easily recycled, even though most available products do not have recycled content -- and they need to be replaced faster than PVC or lined iron. Aquatherm claims a 50-year lifespan for its pipes.

Save Energy, Not Plastic

Eco-conscious consumers should also focus on saving energy and water. Regularly check for leaky pipes, and shop for low-flow shower heads, dual-flush toilets and water-restricting aerators. Homeowners can also find ways to reduce hot water usage and reuse "gray" waste water if possible.

Wrap the Pipes

Finally, no matter which type of pipe is used, hot and cold water pipes should be insulated wherever possible. Pipe insulation is cheap and easy to install. Simply wrap pre-slit polyethylene and neoprene foam tubes around the pipes, then tape or clamp them shut. Foam pipe insulators are estimated to cut heat loss by up to 80 percent, and they keep cold water pipes from sweating. They can raise water temperatures four degrees, allowing a lower, more energy-efficient setting on water heaters.

Plumbing pipes made of new plastics may be hard to find but easy on the environment. Homeowners also should find ways to cut energy and water usage in plumbing decisions.

At Parrish we insulate water pipes, we offer water heater blankets, and we use environmentally friendly HDPE pipe in our geothermal ground loops.

We are certified Green Plumbers so call us today to go green!

Save on energy this summer: Air conditioning and more

Summer is the time here in Northern Virginia when we spend a significant amount of money trying to stay cool on summer days. There are many ways to save money with energy efficient air-conditioning systems, water heaters, energy efficient light bulbs, or even a geothermal system. Here are some great tips from bankrate.com:

• Get a home energy audit every couple of years with your power company to find ways to cut costs.
• Check with your utility company for rebates whenever you install energy-saving equipment.
• Add more energy-efficient insulation to your attic, with the appropriate R-value, or resistance to heat flow, for your climate and the type of heating in your house.
• Turn down your home thermostat two degrees and save 24 kilowatt hours a month. It might not sound like much, but it adds up.
• Buy a programmable thermostat, especially if your home is vacant most of the day. Set it to turn on a half hour before anyone arrives home.
• Adjust your thermostat to a comfortable temperature and wait. Turning your thermostat up or down dramatically wastes energy and increases you're heating costs.
• Lower your hot water thermostat 10 degrees, but no lower than 120 degrees. You'll still get all the hot water you need and save 25 kilowatt hours a month.
• Fix leaky faucets -- one drip a second is 20 kilowatts a month.
• Invest in weather-stripping kits if you've got drafty doors.
• Trade your standard candescent bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs. They are more energy-efficient, last for years instead of months, consume little power and generate little heat.
• Turn off your computer when not in use, or use the energy-saving "sleep" mode.
• Seal energy leaks. Caulk over cracks and small holes around windows and exterior walls. Look carefully around plumbing pipes, telephone wires, dryer vents, sink and bathtub drains and under countertops.
• Participate in your power company's special energy-saving program. Some programs shut down electric appliances for short bursts of time during peak hours. You hardly notice the difference -- except in your bill.
• Buy major appliances that sport the "Energy Star" sticker. That shows the appliance meets or exceeds standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Consider a front-loading washing machine. They use 50 percent less energy and one-third less water. Plus, they remove far more water in the rinse cycle, and that translates into big savings in dryer time.
• Landscaping with the right mix of trees and shrubs can lower your energy bills by blocking winter winds or the summer sun.