conserve water Archives - City Wide Plumbing

Mar 26

Hard Water vs Soft Water

By City Wide Plumbing AZ, conserve water, Licensed Professional Plumber, local plumber, Phoenix, Phoenix Plumbing, water softeners No Comments

Many homes in Phoenix AZ have water softeners as Arizona is known for having some of the hardest water in the country. Hard water is easiest to detect when doing household chores. It leaves clothes looking dingy as well as water spots and residue on dishes, and is tougher on your appliances. The elements in hard water do not react well with soap leaving the lather less rich and bubbly, even hair washed in hard water can feel sticky and dull.

Hard Water Image

Natural rainwater falls in a soft state, as it is absorbed in the ground and our waterways it picks up minerals like lime, calcium, chalk and magnesium. Some people prefer drinking hard water because of the health benefits of the minerals contained in the water. As the minerals are removed from hard water during the softening process the sodium content increases, thus some people also prefer the taste of hard water over soft water.

Benefits of Soft Water

Installing a water softener will prolong the life of your appliances. Taking the elements out of the hard water allows your dishwasher, washing machine and water heater to work less hard. Because of this energy bills are noticeably lower in homes with water softeners. Soap will lather better and items will be left cleaner. Clothes and skin will be softer, hair will look healthy and glasses will sparkle.

Soft water is not suggested for those with heart or circulatory problems, or others who may be on a low sodium diet.

City Wide Plumbing

For water softener repair, maintenance or installation let the plumbing professionals at City Wide take care of it. Servicing Phoenix and the surrounding area for over 30 years, City Wide Plumbing has all the tools and expertise necessary to handle any plumbing problem you may encounter. Licensed, bonded and insured, contact City Wide Plumbing at (480) 966-8795 and schedule a water softener check-up today.

Mar 19

What is a Tankless Water Heater?

By City Wide Plumbing AZ, conserve water, find a plumber, hot water, leaking water heater, Licensed Professional Plumber, local plumber, no hot water, Phoenix, Phoenix Plumbing No Comments

A traditional water heater continually heats water in a tank regardless of whether its being used. By comparison the newer tankless water heater designs heat water only when there is a demand for it. Meaning it only heats water when you turn on your hot water tap or your showers hot water knob. This type of water heating system has been popular in Europe and Japan for quite some time and is just now gaining steam in the United States. Why is this significant to you? Keep reading. As a Phoenix, AZ homeowner, the advantages will be very clear shortly.

Whole House vs Point of Use Systems

The whole house system can supply hot water to more than one plumbing fixture. The point of use system is small enough to fit in a cabinet and will only supply hot water to a specific plumbing fixture. If you want hot water in the kitchen and in the shower you will need two point of use systems. The whole house system can be connected to your dishwasher, shower, and kitchen faucet etc.

The Tankless Advantages

30% of the average homes energy budget is consumed by heating water. A tankless water heating system demands less energy and only heats water as needed. Here is what you have been waiting for: It will not only save you money on your electricity bill but on your water bill as well. Tankless heating systems are known to last as long as 20 years almost doubling that of a traditional heater of 7-10 years. The maintenance and repair on tankless systems is also less demanding saving you money on repair expenses and your valuable time.

City Wide Plumbing

If you need help deciding if a tankless system will fit all your hot water needs contact City Wide Plumbing at 480-966-8795. Let our plumbing professionals help with all your water heating system needs, from installation, to maintenance and repair. City Wide Plumbing has been your local Valley plumber for over 30 years. Licensed, bonded and insured, we have all the tools and experience necessary to help you, the Phoenix, AZ homeowner with all of your plumbing needs.

Mar 11

Things to Know About Low-Flow Toilets

By City Wide Plumbing conserve water, Phoenix Plumbing, save money, toilets No Comments

Toilets use more water than any other appliance or fixture in the home, with older toilets using between 3.5 and 7 gallons per flush. Replacing your old inefficient toilet with a low flush toilet will not only conserve water but it could save you hundreds of dollars annually.

Since 1994 federal law mandates that new household toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush. According to EPA figures, since 2006 American households have saved more than 4.7 billion dollars in water and energy bills by switching to more efficient toilets.

How Much Water do Low-Flow Toilets Actually Save?

One high efficiency toilet used by a family of four can save 8,760 gallons of water per year. Since 2006 low flow toilets have saved more than 287 billion gallons of water.

The EPA estimates that if all the inefficient toilets in homes were converted to high efficiency models Americans would save more than 640 billion gallons of water per year.

The average family of four will save about $20.00 a year by switching to a high efficiency toilet. Pair that with a rebate and you could save more than $100 a year. Check for your Arizona city specific water conversation rebates.

How do I get Low-Flow Toilets in my Home?

City Wide Plumbing offers many high efficiency toilets including American Standard, Gerber, Kohler and Toto. Based on extensive flush testing done by NAHB and The California Urban Water Conservation Council as well as personal experience and input from plumbing professionals, we can help select and install the perfect toilet for your household. Call City Wide today to schedule a free consultation. Conveniently servicing Scottsdale and the surrounding area for over 30 years we have all the expertise necessary to complete any plumbing project you are trying to tackle. Stop flushing money down the drain and let City Wide Plumbing help you upgrade your old toilets to new high efficiency models.

Oct 24

IT’S TIME TO ADJUST YOUR WATERING SCHEDULE

By City Wide Plumbing conserve water, Phoenix Plumbing, watering schedule No Comments

We receive a tip in the mail today from SRP and we thought we would share it with our customers.

IT’S TIME TO ADJUST YOUR WATERING SCHEDULE

water schedule change

As one of the Valley’s largest supplier of water, SRP reminds you that as the temperatures begin to fall, you’ll need to water your business’ landscaping less frequently.

Make sure you water thoroughly and deeply at each watering. This way, roots are encouraged to grow deep into the soil where they’ll be better protected from the cold winter months. Find out how much water is needed for your landscaping, check out other water resources at http://www.togetherweconserve.com.

Sep 03

You just filled up a swimming pool with your Wasted Water!

By City Wide Plumbing conserve water, Phoenix Plumbing, save money No Comments

With talks of drought all around us, now is an important time to conserve water. We have talked before about tips to save water for normal daily use, but have you ever thought about how much water/money you could be wasting by not repairing a running toilet or a pesky dripping faucet.

For example:

Let’s say you have a water closet aka toilet running at a rate of ½ gallon per minute.
1440 minutes per day divided in half equals 720 gallons per day.
720 gallons time 30 days is 21,600 gallons per month wasted.
Most city’s charge per 1000 gallons so,
22 (thousand gallons) times $ 3.92 (per thousand) is $ 86.24 running down the drain.
In a year that could add up to $ 1,034.88 on top of your normal water usage.

The average cost to repair a water closet or a leaking faucet is less than $ 200.00. So not only do you conserve water you also save money. It’s a win win.

An average swimming pool takes approximately 18,000-20,000 gallons of water to fill.

May 13

You can help conserve water!

By City Wide Plumbing conserve water, Phoenix Plumbing No Comments

You can help conserve water!

Due to our recent dry winter some Arizona cities are running out of water. Arizona cities are placing many water restrictions on their residents and have steep fines if they are not followed.

Safford Arizona has been aiming to reduce usage by 30%. Residents cannot refill swimming pools, plant new grass or install sod. Water out doors is limited to twice weekly and water at restaurant comes upon request only. In Williams the water drought has gotten so bad they have prohibited outdoor water and washing cars with potable (drinking) water. The city has also stopped issuing building permits for new development.

Residents using more than 15,000 gallons of water per month under the restriction could see a rise in their water bill by 150% to 200%. The penalty for using potable water outdoors for anything but public health or emergencies comes with $ 100 surcharge that doubles for subsequent violations.

You can help conserve water.

Here are a few ways to help conserve water.

Check for leaks in pipes, hoses faucets, toilets and couplings.
Use a broom not a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.
Don’t let the water run when you are cleaning vegetables, brushing your teeth or shaving.
Use your dishwasher and clothes for full loads only.
Do not use your toilet for an ashtray or a wastebasket.
Install water-saving shower heads and low flow faucet aerators.
Collect the cold water running from the faucet in a bowl or bucket while you are waiting for the hot water to use for cleaning or watering pants later.
Consider installing a recirculation pump on your water heater so you don’t have to wait for hot water.
Create water conservation awareness among your children, avoid the purchase of recreational water toys which require a constant stream of water.
Use your water meter to check for under slab or underground leaks you may not be able to see. Make sure everything in the house that automatically runs water such as an ice maker is turned off. Then go out and check the meter, if the dial is spinning there is a good chance you have an underground leak. Call your local plumber and have them locate and fix the issue for you.