In the past, plumbing features were viewed as no more than functional requirements. Now, designers see the value in using plumbing features to enhance comfort, increase resale value, and incorporate sustainable home features.
Whether you’re building a new home or making upgrades to your existing home, consider incorporating these five plumbing innovations and trends.
Tankless Water Heaters
One of the top reasons behind the recent “plumber near me” search statistics is the increased demand for tankless water heaters. As the name implies, these water heating systems abandon the bulky, inefficient water tanks of the past for a more streamlined panel-based system.
Sometimes called “on-demand” water heaters, these small panels affix to the wall with pipes running through. When someone turns on the hot water, the water is heated via the panel as it travels through the pipes.
There are several benefits to installing this new plumbing technology in your home. First, the tankless water heater takes up significantly less space. Second, the system will pay for itself in energy savings. Traditional water tanks store hot water and maintain a consistent temperature throughout the day. This process consumes energy throughout the day to keep water hot, whether you use it or not. A tankless system only heats the water when you need it.
Finally, you’ll never run out of hot water with an on-demand heater. If you have a large family, this reason alone is well worth the investment.
Faucet Aerators
Another increasingly popular plumbing innovation in recent years is the faucet aerator. These faucets mix air with the water as it comes out of the tap, thus increasing its volume and coverage. In layman’s terms, you get the same coverage with less water consumption. If you install aerators on all of your faucets, you can save more than 1,700 liters of water per month.
You can also get aeration shower heads to increase your savings even more. Not only will this approach save you money, but it offers tremendous benefits for the environment.
Steam Showers
In light of the global pandemic, many homeowners are trying to make their bathrooms more spa-like and luxurious. In essence, if you can’t get out and do the things you enjoy, you might as well replicate them in your home.
Steam showers are becoming popular additions to spa-inspired home bathrooms. There are several benefits to using a steam shower, from sweating out toxins to promoting post-workout recovery. These showers also use considerably less water than traditional showerheads do. Adding a steam shower faucet is one of the simplest, most affordable ways to create a luxurious, spa-like experience at home.
Smart Leak Detectors
Smart leak detectors are the fire detector of the plumbing world. As the name implies, these devices monitor your home and ensure no insidious leaks are happening inside the walls. When the smart leak detector identifies a potential link, it will notify you what’s happening and where.
This device allows you to find leaks and correct them before they cause costly damage, both to your water bill and your home. Furthermore, identifying where the leak is occurring will minimize plumbing costs by reducing service call times.
Touchless Faucets and Toilets
After the events of 2020, it should be no surprise that touchless toilets and faucets are in high demand. In addition to minimizing germ transmission, touchless faucets are a must-have for the kitchen. Use these when your hands are covered in flour or meat to keep your faucets clean and germ-free while you wash your hands.
Touchless toilets have long been a staple in airports and stadiums, but now there are residential versions as well. Smart toilets are the evolution of this innovation and offer nightlights, water consumption controls, and self-cleaning functionalities.
With these five innovations, you can make your plumbing more than just a functional feature within the home. Use these trends to make your home healthier, happier, and more comfortable.
