You should very rarely have to replace a plumbing appliance or fixture before it finally breaks for good. Sometimes, we’ll see the writing on the wall regarding our appliances and fixtures then turn the other way. The signs are right in front of us, such as a water heater with a rusty storage tank or a toilet that’s out of the dark ages. You know in your mind that the water heater is old and on its way out, but you keep your fingers crossed, hoping to squeeze another year out of it. If you’re not careful, they will outlive you. We want to get the most out of our plumbing appliances and fixtures. With that said, there is a point where you get diminishing returns on old plumbing appliances and fixtures.
Toilets Can Last 100 Years, so when Do I Replace Them?
Let’s start with our toilets, how long will they last, and when do I replace them? Unless a toilet is cracked or leaking, you’d never have to replace it. Furthermore, a study completed by the National Association of Home Builders said that your toilet could last 100 years or longer. Of course, the parts will need replacing every few years to keep them functioning correctly, but other than that, a toilet could last forever.
Here is the reality check. The new toilet’s maximum water usage is 1.6 gallons per flush, and old toilets can use 3.5 gallons per flush or more. A family of four can save $110 a year in water usage and $2,200 over the life of the toilet. Toilets marked with the WaterSense Label use 20 to 60 percent less water. The average cost of a toilet is $100 to 350 dollars. In other words, change your toilets and save money.
Newer Toilets Use 1.1 to 1.28 GPF m
Most homeowners don’t know about the latest toilet technologies. For example, some of the newer toilets use 1.1 to 1.28 gallons per flush (GPF). In addition, dual flush toilets use both 1.1 GPF for liquid waste and 1.28 GPF for solid waste. With these new toilets on the market, it is now time to replace our old appliances and fixtures, including our toilets.
Your Water Heater Expectancy Is 10 – 15 Years
Our water heaters are next on the list. When is it time to replace our water heater? Since water heaters cost so much more than replacing a toilet, convincing you to replace them before it completely breaks down may be difficult, but I’ll give it my best shot. Your water heater expectancy is 10 – 15 years, and those numbers are very reliable. If your water heater is old and in bad shape, replace it. There is no time like the present to replace your old plumbing appliances.
You’ll Save Hundreds Of Dollar Over Its Lifetime
According to EnergyStar®, a gas storage water heater marked with the EnergyStar label can save a four-person family hundreds of dollars over the product’s lifetime because it uses 10 percent less energy. Additionally, some California utility companies are offering $100 – $200 in rebates on tankless water heaters and storage tank heaters. EnergyStar is a voluntary program by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect the environment through superior energy-efficient products.
Replace Your Old Plumbing Appliances, That Includes Your Washing Machine
Think about how much water your old washing machine consumes, and whether you want to reduce your water usage or be more energy-efficient. Modern high-efficiency washers generally use less water and electricity than their predecessors. Many washing machines that are EnergyStar Certified use approximately 25% and 33% less water and energy than conventional washers. Washing machines have a life expectancy of around ten years. If your washer is close to that age and you see the signs of age, replace it.
According to ENERGY STAR, an approved ENERGY STAR washer, on average, consumes fourteen gallons of water on each load, compared to 20 gallons for a regular washing machine. According to ENERGY STAR, this information can save you around six gallons of water for every load by using an ENERGY STAR-accredited washer rather than a normal washer. So it’s time to replace your old plumbing appliances!
Rid Yourself Of Your Old Plumbing Appliances
Is your dishwasher ready for the recycle yard? Don’t hold on any longer, especially if it reaches its tenth year. While most appliances aren’t cheap, holding on to an old appliance isn’t in anyone’s best interest. Dishwashers have seen significant advances in recent years. Not only do they clean more effectively, but they’re also much more effective. For example, the typical dishwasher in the 90s utilized ten gallons of water every cycle. Nowadays, some people just need 2 gallons.
No More Debating Over Hand Washing or Dishwasher
We no longer need to debate about which method uses less water. It’s clear that your dishwasher uses far less water than hand washing. Energy efficiency and water utilization are the two elements that affect how efficiently a dishwasher operates. The Energy Star requirements for conventional dishwasher capacity for eight or more place settings have been 3.5 gallons/cycle since 2016.
Call Big B’s Plumbing Today!
If you’re ready to remove your old plumbing appliances, we have you covered for all your installation needs. If you purchased a new water heater, dishwasher, washing machine, or toilet and want them professionally installed, call the experts at Big B’s Plumbing.
