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.