When it comes to the mechanical systems in many Sacramento, CA, homes, there are many improvements that could be made, especially in terms of efficiency. Beyond claiming better efficiency, though, are there any benefits to installing energy-efficient plumbing and heating systems? At Gallagher's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, we firmly believe the answer is “yes.” To better explain why we feel this way, here are just a few of the many benefits of upgrading your home’s plumbing and heating systems.
1. Lower Utility Costs
A big benefit of upgrading your home’s mechanical systems is lower utility costs. Given that a large portion of a home’s budget is dedicated to basic needs such as water, gas, and electricity, this is an important benefit. When it comes to water usage, new plumbing fixtures are designed to use less water than their older counterparts. In the case of toilets, toilets nowadays use over two gallons less per flush than they did in 1994. Likewise, standard showerheads and faucets now use much less water than they once did, with even lower usage in higher-end models.
As far as heating systems are concerned, furnaces from Gallagher's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning are federally mandated to achieve a certain efficiency rating, a number that has increased over time, meaning that even inexpensive furnaces are more efficient than expensive furnaces once were. Plus, newer furnaces use multi-speed fans, energy reclamation devices, and other modern enhancements to limit their energy use as much as possible. Altogether, modern plumbing and heating systems produce better results using far fewer resources, meaning that your wallet stands to benefit immensely.
2. Environmental Benefits
Beyond the personal benefit of reduced utility bills, installing new plumbing and heating fixtures can have significant environmental benefits, as well. New plumbing fixtures, for example, greatly aid in water conservation, something that is vitally important, especially in a drought-prone state like California.
Conserving water resources is vital to the future of our planet, especially in protecting the countless species that call the planet’s waterways home. Additionally, the more water you save, the fewer greenhouse gases that you contribute to since water purification equipment runs on electricity.
On the heating side of things, installing a more efficient furnace has immediate benefits to the number of greenhouse gases that are released. Although natural gas is less harmful to the environment than coal, it still has its fair share of problems. Therefore, the less natural gas that you can use to heat your home, the easier the environment can breathe. Therefore, if it’s time for your home’s mechanical systems to be replaced, utilizing the most efficient replacements possible can provide benefits that long outlive you.
3. Fewer Distractions
While it’s not one of the most obvious benefits of an energy-efficient heating system, having fewer distractions is something you’ll certainly appreciate. This benefit stems from the fact that efficient heating systems from Gallagher's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning can typically heat your home more quickly than their inefficient counterparts. This is especially true if you have an older heating system that struggles to keep up with demand.
Since furnaces make noise when they’re operating, a newer furnace can result in less time dealing with the noise. Of course, if your furnace is located in a garage or attic, this isn’t much of a development. However, if your furnace is located in a central part of your home, less run time will come as a welcome change that will help reduce distractions and improve the quality of your conversations.
4. Increased Comfort
Maintaining comfort in your home is a key purpose of all your home’s mechanical systems. The good news is that upgrading these systems to more energy-efficient models from Gallagher's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning can help increase your level of comfort. For example, an energy-efficient heating system can help you more accurately control the temperature in your home, meaning that you won’t have to suffer through periods of discomfort like you do currently. Plus, thanks to lower energy usage, you won’t have to feel guilty when you need to increase the temperature by a degree or two to reduce the chill on a cold winter morning.
When it comes to efficient plumbing systems, there are many comfort enhancements to be discovered, as well. For example, if you opt to install an energy-efficient tankless water heater, you can enjoy nearly limitless hot water for showering, washing dishes, and doing laundry, all at a fraction of the energy cost of a traditional water heater. Additionally, many water-saving plumbing fixtures can provide better cleaning results thanks to the higher pressure of the water that they release.
5. Better Service Options
When you upgrade your home’s mechanical systems, you suddenly have access to enhanced service offerings, many of which won’t cost you a thing. Since durable home goods, such as plumbing fixtures and furnaces, are covered by manufacturer’s warranties, it’s highly likely that any necessary repairs from Gallagher's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning will be paid for by the manufacturer. Of course, these warranties don’t last forever, but it’s nice to know that you have this option in the meantime. Plus, newer systems can often be diagnosed electronically, meaning that the issue behind the problem you’re experiencing can be more accurately understood and repaired.
6. Modern Style
Another great aspect of increasing your home’s energy efficiency is that you can take advantage of fixtures that are styled in a modern style. This is especially crucial when it comes to plumbing fixtures, as these are installed in two rooms where aesthetics are a major focus: bathrooms and kitchens. Therefore, if you want to change the look of these spaces, it makes sense to invest in energy-efficient models so that you get multiple benefits from your renovation.
When it comes to heating systems, aesthetics aren’t as much of a concern. After all, furnaces are typically placed in an out-of-the-way location, such as a utility closet or attic. As furnaces from Gallagher's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning have become more energy-efficient, though, they have also tended to become smaller.
This makes it easier to install and helps them to fit more easily if you have limited space for mechanical components. Therefore, even though you likely won’t spend much time staring at your new furnace, you can be sure that you’ll appreciate its modern design just as much as a new plumbing fixture.
7. Be Wise When Replacing
Although there are a variety of benefits to upgrading your home’s plumbing and heating systems, it’s still important to be wise when thinking through replacement. If your current fixtures still have some life left in them, it may make more sense for you to allow Gallagher's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning to repair and maintain these fixtures so that you don’t create waste by replacing a working fixture. If it is time for replacement, though, be sure that the old fixtures are responsibly disposed of so that you can help protect the environment.
Explaining Your Options
At Gallagher's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, we have long believed in helping our customers by explaining all of their options and then allowing them to make the final choice. This is true in terms of plumbing and heating system upgrades, as well as our air conditioning services and duct cleaning services. A few other services we offer include water heaters, water purification, and even indoor air quality assessments and trusted solutions.
This transparency we strive for has earned us an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and countless five-star customer reviews. For more information about upgrading your home’s mechanical systems, give us a call at Gallagher's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning today. We look forward to serving all of your indoor climate comfort and home enjoyment needs.
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