Earth Day is April 22nd, and while you might be thinking about beach cleanups, planting trees, or switching to reusable bags (all awesome ideas, by the way!), there’s one area you might be overlooking: Your plumbing.
Yep, your home’s plumbing system has a bigger impact on the planet than you might realize. And the good news? With just a few small changes, you can save water, energy, and money—all while giving the planet a high five.
So let’s get into it.
What’s Going Down the Drain?
Let’s start with a tough question: How much water do you think your household uses every day?
Showers, laundry, dishes, brushing your teeth, flushing the toilet—it adds up fast. The average American family uses over 300 gallons of water per day at home, and about 70% of that is used indoors. That’s a lot of precious H2O!
5 Simple Plumbing Tips That Make a Big Difference
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Use our 5 simple plumbing tips to make a big difference in your water efficiency this Earth Day.
1. Fix Leaks
That dripping faucet might not seem like a big deal, but one drip per second can waste over 3,000 gallons a year. That’s like 180 showers going straight down the drain! Make sure you fix and repair water leaks in your home.
Pro Tip: If you hear a toilet running when no one’s using it, it’s time to take action. It could be silently wasting gallons every hour.
2. Go Low-Flow
Low-flow showerheads and toilets aren’t the clunky water tricklers they used to be. Today’s models are sleek, powerful, and save tons of water without sacrificing performance.
Did you know that a low-flow toilet can save up to 13,000 gallons of water per year for a family of four?
3. Install an Energy-Efficient Water Heater
Traditional water heaters can be real energy hogs. If yours is over 10 years old, it might be time to upgrade to a more efficient model—think tankless or ENERGY STAR-certified units.
And hey, who doesn’t love a hot shower?
4. Skip the Garbage Disposal?
We get it—it’s convenient. But garbage disposals use water and electricity, and they send a lot of waste into the water system that can overwhelm treatment plants.
🌱 Earth Day tip: Compost food scraps when you can, especially fruits and veggies. For garabage disposal best practices, hop on over to this disposal blog for valuable tips.
5. Schedule a Plumbing Check-Up
When’s the last time someone looked at your plumbing system? Not just because of a repair, but just to see how they’re doing?
Sometimes, the biggest water wasters are the ones you don’t see—like hidden leaks, old pipe materials, or inefficient fixtures. A quick inspection could help you avoid a flood and save water every day.
It’s Not Just About Saving Water
When we protect our plumbing systems, we’re also helping reduce water pollution, lower energy usage, and create healthier homes for our families.
So ask yourself:
- What kind of planet do I want to leave behind?
- What small changes can I make today that matter tomorrow?
- Am I treating clean water like the gift it truly is?
This Earth Day, let’s do more than recycle. Let’s rethink the way we use one of Earth’s most precious resources—water.
Earth Day Plumbing Frequently Asked Questions
Check your water meter before and after a 2-hour period when no water is being used. If it changes, you likely have a leak!
Up to 2,700 gallons a year per person, without any noticeable drop in water pressure.
Not at all! Many low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets are affordable and often come with rebates or tax credits
Yes! Wastewater from inefficient or leaking systems can pollute groundwater and overwhelm treatment plants.
Once a year is a great habit—especially in older homes or vacation properties where problems can go undetected.
Ready to Take Action?
At Action Plumbing, we’re here to help you protect your home, your wallet, and the planet—all at the same time.
Let’s make every drop count this Earth Day.
