Water Conservation Upgrades

 These days, when rebates are available left and right for water/energy conservation upgrades in your home, everyone is looking for ways to upgrade and save!

Here are a few simple ideas for conserving water in your home!

1.  Take shorter showers. A five minute shower consumes up to 25 gallons of water. Imagine how much water your leisurely 10-15 minute shower would consume! Cutting back on shower time can shave off gallons of wasted water and extra expenses.

2.  Install a low-flow showerhead. Low-flow showerheads use about 2.5 gallons of water per minute, compared to a typical showerhead which uses about 6 gallons per minute. Consider your five minute shower. This would be a difference of 17.5 gallons per minute!

3.  Change all faucets to water conservation options. Investing in low-flow faucets can save you up to 500 gallons of water each year and you'll barely notice a difference in your water flow or pressure.

4.  Use the dishwasher. While hand-washing dishes may seem more efficient, running an energy-efficient dishwasher can use less water than washing dishes by hand. You'll save water, energy and can skip the dishpan hands.

5.  Switch to an energy-efficient washing machine. These appliances can use better than 50 percent less water than others and save money on water consumption.

6.  Replace toilets with low-flow models. Using an outdated toilet just helps you flush money down the toilet each day. Lower-flow toilets get the job done and can save a family of four about 16,000 gallons of water each year.

7.  Check for water leaks. Drips in and around the house add up to wasted water and money. Make sure to call GreenTeam right away at the first sign of trouble!


Source: SouthCountyTimes

DIY Plumbing Don'ts

Many homeowners enjoy taking matters into their own hands when it comes plumbing projects, especially when that means saving some money. However, there are certain projects that should always be left up to the professionals, like GreenTeam Plumbing!

One specific example that has been seen several times is the expansion or modification of a home's water-supply lines or hot-water heating system. These systems are comprised over copper pipes and fitting that need to be soldered together with high heat tools such as a propane torch. If you're not trained with these tools or in this area, this kind of project could easily lead to a flood or a fire - which won't be fun explaining to your spouse or your home insurance agent!

The smallest leak from a project gone bad can lead to lots of money down the drain getting the problem fixed. Always start a project the right way, with the professionals at GreenTeam Plumbing!

Source: PopularMechanics

Taking "Just In Time" to the next level!

Unlike other companies where a service request has to be submitted and processed over a period of days, we provide a simple service request form right on our website! As soon as your request form is submitted, a service request alert to all of our available crews - which means there is no delay while an administrative department locates a crew!
 
Our crews receive an alert with your contact information, as well as a map of your location and a description of your issue, and will contact you to confirm they are on their way!

So visit our website at the first sign of trouble and we'll be on our way before you know it! You can also call us, toll free, at 1-877-61GREEN! 

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is a fantastic way to use natural resources to your benefit and to conserve water! With the environment constantly changing, we need to learn how to utilize what we have to make it last longer!

By harvesting your rainwater, you can divert and store it for later use in a variety of ways. Captured rainwater is most typically used for landscaping, as the water is free of harmful chemicals and minerals and doesn't have to be treated before use. Stored rainwater is also a great way to provide water for local wildlife.

In some communities, up to 50% of the total water supply is used for landscaping. If each of us began capturing and harvesting rainwater for our needs, the demand on our city and state water supply would drop drastically, saving the state (and ourselves) money and resources. Storing rainwater also reduces run-off, erosion and contamination of our surface water.

The benefits are endless and it just takes one phone call to GreenTeam to get started on YOUR rainwater harvesting project! Give us a call today!

Source: RainwaterHarvesting

8 Smart Tips for Stopping Leaks!

1. Locate your home’s main water shut-off valve. If there’s ever a plumbing leak, go straight there and turn off the water to the entire house to avoid a flood.

2. Install shut-off valves at individual appliances and fixtures. This allows you to keep water flowing in other areas of the house while the water is shut off for making site-specific repairs.

3. Install a flow sensor that detects plumbing leaks. This will automatically shut off water to the entire house or a specific appliance is a leak is detected.

4. Remove hoses from outdoor spigots in winter. This can help prevent frozen water from cracking the pipes and causing plumbing leaks, or worse, a flood.

5. Add pipe insulation to the plumbing in cold parts of your house. This is especially important in garages, basements, and crawl spaces to avoid frozen pipes (and to shorten the wait for hot water).

6. Don’t use exposed pipes as hanger rods for laundry or to store clothes. This can loosen joints and fasteners and lead to plumbing cracks and leaks.

7. Don’t overload vanities and sink cabinets. Crowding things into your cabinets, can jostle water supply pipes and drains, loosening connections and causing plumbing leaks. Leaks like these are often hard to find until it's too late.

8. Fix problems quickly. Even small leaks can make pipes corrode more quickly, and cause significant water damage or mold. Call GreenTeam while there's still time!


Source: HouseLogic