CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS?
I’ve noticed the same thing—energy upgrades almost always give you more bang for your buck in single-family homes. Water savings seem to matter more in places with high occupancy or crazy water rates. In one apartment project, switching to low-flow fixtures actually made a noticeable dent in the utility bills, but only because there were dozens of units. Otherwise, it sometimes feels like water points are just easier to grab for LEED, even if the impact isn’t huge. Anyone else ever feel like the water credits are a bit of a checkbox unless you’re in a drought-prone area?
Had a client last year who was obsessed with water-saving features, but honestly, the real difference in their bills came from updating insulation and switching to LED lighting. The low-flow fixtures were more about the checklist than real savings, at least in their case. Maybe it's different if you're in California or somewhere with strict water regs, but around here, energy tweaks seem to move the needle more.
CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS?
That lines up with what I’ve seen, especially in the Midwest and Northeast. I had a project a couple years back where the homeowners were really focused on getting those green building points for water conservation—dual-flush toilets, low-flow everything, rain barrels, you name it. But when we actually tracked their utility bills, the biggest drop came after we air-sealed the attic and swapped out the old halogens for LEDs. The water bill barely budged, even with all the new fixtures.
I think a lot of folks get caught up in the checklist mentality, like you said. There’s this idea that every little thing will add up, but in reality, some upgrades just have a bigger impact than others, depending on where you live. Around here, water’s cheap and plentiful, so shaving a few gallons off a shower doesn’t really move the needle. But energy costs? That’s where you see real savings.
That said, I do get why people want to tick those boxes—sometimes it’s about resale value or just feeling like you’re doing your part. And in places like California or Arizona, where water’s at a premium, those same upgrades might make a much bigger difference. I remember reading about a project in San Diego where greywater systems and drought-tolerant landscaping cut their water use by half. Totally different ballgame.
It’s kind of funny how much the local context matters. I’ve even had clients who were surprised that their “green” home didn’t save them as much as they expected, just because the improvements weren’t matched to their actual utility costs. It’s all about picking your battles, I guess. Energy tweaks seem to give you more bang for your buck in most places, but I wouldn’t write off water-saving features entirely—just depends on what you’re trying to achieve and where you’re at.
Anyway, sounds like you steered your client in the right direction. Always satisfying when the data backs up the decisions.
CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS?
- Not sure I’m totally on board with the idea that water savings don’t matter much outside the Southwest. Sure, energy bills usually drop more, but we’re seeing more unpredictable droughts even up north lately.
- I’ve had clients regret skipping rainwater catchment or permeable paving when the city suddenly put restrictions in place… utility rates can change fast.
- Also, some green building standards give equal weight to water and energy, so if you’re chasing certification, you can’t really ignore one or the other.
- Bottom line: I wouldn’t dismiss water upgrades just because the immediate savings aren’t huge. Sometimes it’s about future-proofing, not just today’s bills.
CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS?
That’s a really good point about future-proofing. I used to think water savings weren’t a big deal in my area, but after last summer’s restrictions, I’m rethinking things. Energy upgrades are usually my go-to since the payback is obvious, but I’ve started looking at low-flow fixtures and rain barrels too. Sometimes it’s not just about the monthly bill—avoiding headaches down the line matters just as much.