mail@pirb.co.za 
Written by Cheralee Lubbe
Be part of the change! Take care of your environment & your community!
It is World Environment Day on the 5th of June and it is the perfect day for you to show awareness and take action to protect the environment.
The first World Environment Day was held in 1974 and it has been a day for raising awareness on environmental issues such as marine pollution, human overpopulation, global warming, sustainable consumption and wildlife crime ever since. World Environment Day gives the world a global platform for public outreach, with participation from over 143 countries annually.
Sweden will be hosting World Environment Day with the theme “Only One Earth” this year. The focus will be on “Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature”.
How can you as a plumber contribute in celebrating World Environment Day?
When doing installations on new or pre-existing plumbing systems, remember to tap into energy-saving and water-saving technologies.
- New Plumbing Fixtures:
Suggest to your client to update their plumbing fixtures when you are doing an installation. Explain to them by swapping out old shower heads or kitchen faucets for new low-flow versions, they can save a lot on water usage.
- Water-Saving Toilet:
Old toilets can waste up to 13,6 litres of water with each flush. When you are busy with a renovation project or replacement of a faulty flush toilet, suggest to the client that you can install a toilet with a new dual-flush system, which can save them a lot of money.
- Tankless Water Heater:
You can suggest installing a tankless water heater as an eco-friendly alternative to a traditional water heating system. Explain to clients that a tankless water heater has no storage tank, which means the water isn’t being heated constantly and thus saves electricity and will leave them with a lower energy bill.
- Timer:
You can also mention to your client that another way they can save on their electricity bill, would be to install a timer onto their traditional water heating system. This way, the water will only be heated at a time determined by the client, when hot water is most needed.
- Pipe Insulation:
As you know, heat loss is prevalent when using incorrect pipes on an installation. Therefore, if you are doing a new installation, tell your client that you are installing pipes made of a durable material with the appropriate size to last longer and insulate better. If you are working on a pre-existing plumbing system, check if the system has insulation. If not, suggest to the client to install insulation onto their system to save energy.
These tips might not look like much, but every little bit helps when it comes to our planet. By making small changes regarding our plumbing, water and energy consumption, we can get closer to making our world a more sustainable place to live in.