Choosing between energy efficiency or water savings for green building points?

CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS?

Couldn’t agree more about the basics - if you skip insulation and air sealing, you’re just throwing money out the window (literally). I’ve seen folks get excited about rainwater tanks or greywater systems, but then their house leaks heat like crazy and they wonder why their bills are still high. Water savings are great if you’re in a drought-prone area, but for most people, energy upgrades pay off faster and make a bigger difference day-to-day. If you want to chase points, at least make sure they actually improve how the house feels and runs.

CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS?

Had a similar debate when we built our place a few years back. Everyone was pushing the latest smart irrigation and greywater gadgets, but honestly, the biggest difference came from shelling out for triple-pane windows and really good insulation. We barely touch the thermostat now, and it’s actually comfortable in every room - can’t say the same for some of my friends’ “green” homes that still feel drafty.

That said, I get the appeal of water features, especially if you’re somewhere dry. But in my experience, nothing beats walking into a house that just feels solid and quiet, no matter what’s going on outside. Chasing points is fine, but if you’re not seeing lower bills or better comfort, what’s the point? Sometimes the basics aren’t flashy, but they work.

CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS?

I’ve been down this road too. When we renovated, I obsessed over water-saving fixtures, but honestly, the real payoff came from upgrading the building envelope - insulation, windows, air sealing. The house just feels more refined and peaceful. Water tech is cool, but if you’re after daily comfort and lower energy bills, investing in the structure pays off more than most people expect. Sometimes the “unsexy” upgrades make all the difference.

CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS?

Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve seen the same thing - tightening up the envelope just changes the whole feel of a place. Water savings are great, but honestly, you notice a drafty window way more than a low-flow showerhead. Those “boring” upgrades really do pay off in comfort and bills.

CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS?

I get what you mean about the comfort thing - nobody wants to feel like they’re living in a drafty castle, even if it’s “eco-friendly.” But I gotta admit, I’m a sucker for those fancy rain showers, and some of the low-flow ones just don’t cut it. Energy upgrades are kind of invisible luxury, though... like heated floors or that perfect indoor temp year-round. Hard to beat that vibe when you’re walking around barefoot in January.

CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS?

I hear you on the rain showers - tried a few low-flow models myself and honestly, some just don’t deliver. Ended up swapping one out after a month because it felt like standing under a leaky faucet. On the flip side, I put a lot into insulation and air sealing in my last build, and the difference in comfort (and bills) was huge. Energy upgrades might not be flashy, but you really notice them when winter hits. Water savings are great, but if the house is drafty or costs a fortune to heat, it’s hard to enjoy those eco points.

CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS?

I get what you’re saying about the low-flow showers. I tried one of those “eco” showerheads that was supposed to save a ton of water, but it ended up being so weak I just took longer showers trying to rinse off. Kind of defeats the purpose, right? Swapped it out for a regular one and just try to keep my showers short instead.

On the energy side, I’m with you - insulation and air sealing made a way bigger difference than I expected. Did a blower door test after sealing up the attic and rim joists, and the improvement was wild. The house just feels more solid, less drafty, and the furnace barely kicks on in the winter. Plus, it’s not just about comfort - my utility bills dropped enough that I could actually see the payback.

I guess for me, energy upgrades seem to have more bang for the buck, at least where I live (cold winters, hot summers). Water savings are nice, but unless you’re in a drought-prone area or paying crazy rates, it doesn’t usually hit the wallet as hard. That said, I’ve heard some folks say greywater systems make a big difference if you’re building from scratch. Never tried one myself - has anyone here actually installed a greywater setup? Curious if it’s worth the hassle or just another thing to maintain.

Also, has anyone found a low-flow showerhead that doesn’t feel like punishment? Always open to recommendations...

CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS?

You nailed it about the insulation and air sealing - those upgrades really do pay off, especially in places with big seasonal swings. I had a similar experience after sealing up my crawlspace and adding more attic insulation. The difference in comfort was immediate, and I could track the drop in energy use right away.

On the water side, I’ve also struggled with low-flow showerheads. Some of the older models were just miserable. That said, I did try a newer one from Nebia (not cheap, but decent) and it was way better than the budget options. Still not quite the same as a standard head, but at least I wasn’t standing there forever trying to rinse out shampoo.

As for greywater systems, I looked into it during a remodel, but the local codes made it a hassle. If you’re building new, it might be easier, but retrofitting is a pain unless you’re already tearing up plumbing. Maintenance can add up too, depending on the system.

All in all, energy efficiency upgrades have given me more noticeable returns than water savings, unless you’re somewhere with high water costs or restrictions. Just my two cents.

All in all, energy efficiency upgrades have given me more noticeable returns than water savings, unless you’re somewhere with high water costs or restrictions.

That’s been my experience too - air sealing and insulation almost always give you the best bang for your buck, especially if you’re dealing with older construction. One thing I’d add: if you’re already opening up walls or floors, that’s the time to rough in for future greywater or rainwater systems, even if you don’t install them right away. Saves a ton of hassle down the road. Water-saving fixtures have come a long way, but I still test every showerhead before recommending it... some are just not worth the “green” points if they make daily life annoying.

Totally hear you on the showerheads - some of them just feel like a drizzle and make getting shampoo out a chore. I’ve had clients who were so excited about “eco” fixtures, only to swap them out after a week because the experience was just... not it. I do love the idea of prepping for future water systems if you’re already renovating, though. It’s one of those things that’s so much easier to do while the walls are open, and you’ll thank yourself later if water costs ever spike or restrictions hit.

TITLE: Choosing Between Energy Efficiency Or Water Savings For Green Building Points?

I totally get the frustration with low-flow showerheads. There’s a fine line between saving water and just making daily life annoying. I’ve seen some “eco” fixtures that honestly feel like they’re punishing you for trying to do the right thing. But prepping for future water systems during a reno is such a smart move - future-proofing is underrated, especially with how unpredictable water costs and restrictions can get.

I keep running into this dilemma with clients: do you focus more on energy efficiency or water savings when you’re aiming for green building points? It’s not always clear-cut. Sometimes, the most efficient appliances use more water, or vice versa. And then there’s the comfort factor - nobody wants to freeze in the shower or wait forever for hot water just to save a few gallons.

Curious if anyone’s found a sweet spot between the two. Have you prioritized one over the other, or tried to balance both? I’ve seen some creative solutions, like recirculating hot water systems or greywater reuse, but those aren’t always practical for every project. Sometimes I wonder if we’re overcomplicating things by chasing points instead of focusing on what actually works for the people living there.

Has anyone regretted going all-in on one side? Or maybe found a fixture or system that actually delivers on both fronts without sacrificing comfort?

Sometimes I wonder if we’re overcomplicating things by chasing points instead of focusing on what actually works for the people living there.

- Had a project last year where we went heavy on water savings - super low-flow everything. Clients ended up hating the shower so much they swapped it out after a month.
- Now I always ask: “Would you want this in your own house?” Comfort matters.
- Lately, I’ve been leaning towards high-efficiency dishwashers and washing machines - they hit both water and energy savings without making life harder.
- Recirc hot water loops are awesome but not always possible, especially in older homes. Sometimes simple upgrades (good insulation, smart thermostats) make a bigger impact than chasing every single point.

Choosing Between Energy Efficiency Or Water Savings For Green Building Points?

Had a similar situation with ultra-low-flow toilets - clients were not thrilled about needing two flushes half the time. It’s easy to get caught up in the checklist, but if it doesn’t work for daily life, what’s the point? I’ve found that focusing on envelope improvements and appliances usually gives better results without sacrificing comfort. Sometimes those “simple” upgrades really do offer the most bang for your buck.