If you’re a dreamer, what would your ideal plumbing system look like? Let’s first set the ground rules. You’re building a new home, and you’re a middle-class family. The ideal plumbing system’s fixtures must be reasonable. That shouldn’t stop you from upgrading fixtures, but you don’t want toilets that cost thousands of dollars. We have so many choices regarding luxury fixtures. There are also efficient and environmentally sustainable choices that include toilets, showerheads, faucets, and water heaters. You’ll also have choices for the type of pipes that carry water throughout your house.
PVC & ABS Is The Plumber Choice For Transporting Water
We should start with the type of pipe that will carry freshwater to our home. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is the plumber’s choice for transporting freshwater. It is also best for transporting waste away from the house. Its smooth surface gives it easy carrying capacity for waste matter. From the 70s until the current, PVC and ABS are the plumber’s go-to pipes for sewer line installations.
PEX Is Now The Go-To Tubing For Our Home
The pipes that carry hot and cold water throughout the house would be Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX). While considered tubing versus a pipe, you can purchase it in rolls of up to 300 feet. The pipe is flexible, easier to install, and can make minor turns without the need for fittings. The tubing has some insulation features that make it less likely to freeze. PEX is much quieter than copper and won’t have hammering noise when you shut off the faucet. It has a life expectancy of 40 -50 years and cost less than copper.
The Ideal Plumbing System Must Have A Tankless Water Heater
For my water heater, I would have a tankless water heater installed. These units last 20 years or longer and require less maintenance. They offer 24 to 34 percent increased energy efficiency, lower energy bills, and more. Traditional storage tank heaters must continuously heat the water. Tankless water heaters heat on-demand giving homeowners instant hot water to your showerhead. Additionally, it provides an endless flow of hot water. They also take up a fraction of the space compared to a storage tank heater. The tankless water heater is a no brainer for my ideal plumbing system.
My TOTO Toilet With Bidet Is Part Of My Ideal Plumbing System
Since my focus is increased energy efficiency and the environment, I would install a TOTO Vespin II Washlet elongated two-piece toilet with a Washlet C200 bidet seat. The toilet uses 1.28 gallons per flush. I would pass on the toilet paper and use soft towels to dry—this way, you’re saving water, and the environment. Several toilet paper makers, such as Charmin, rely on Canadian forests to make their toilet paper. Costco Kirkland brand toilet paper uses recycled paper. Use a bidet for ten days, and you’ll never go back to toilet paper.
HydroRain Shower Technology
If I had to narrow the choice down to one showerhead, I would choose the Delta 58680 HydroRain 5-setting two-in-one, Chrome head with a hand shower. It uses Deltas H2Okinetic shower technology. It comes complete with a pause setting to shave or lather up without wasting water and keep the water temperature the same. It has very good reviews and would be a perfect showerhead for the ideal plumbing system.
U by Moen Will Set Your Kitchen Apart
Do you want your kitchen in style? Try the U by Moen Smart faucet. For starters, it uses a meager 1.5 GPM without giving up the spaying power of a conventional kitchen faucet. It is voice-activated and can measure as low as 1 tbsp and as much as 15 gallons on demand. It will also dispense water at the temperature you want, up to 120 degrees. It connects right to Alexa and Hey Google for specific commands. With a simple hand movement, you can start and stop the faucet.
