CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS?
I totally get where you’re coming from. When we did our kitchen remodel, I was obsessed with getting the fanciest energy-saving appliances, but then I saw the water bill after a few months and realized I’d barely thought about water use. Ended up swapping out some fixtures for low-flow ones too. It’s wild how fast those little changes add up, even if it doesn’t feel super “luxury” at first. Honestly, I think mixing both—wherever you can—makes the most sense, even if it’s just one thing at a time.
Honestly, I think mixing both—wherever you can—makes the most sense, even if it’s just one thing at a time.
Couldn’t agree more with this. I’ve seen clients get really hung up on the “points” game, but honestly, sometimes the best results come from balancing both energy and water savings. I mean, a gorgeous rain shower head is great until you see the water bill... Been there. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between comfort and conservation, even if it means making a few compromises along the way.
It’s all about finding that sweet spot between comfort and conservation, even if it means making a few compromises along the way.
That’s definitely been my experience too. I used to be super focused on getting the highest efficiency appliances, but then realized my old plumbing just couldn’t keep up with some of the newer low-flow fixtures. Ended up with lukewarm showers more often than I’d like... Not exactly the “comfort” part I was hoping for.
Has anyone here actually tracked their utility bills after making these changes? I’m curious if the savings from water-efficient stuff ever really balance out any extra energy use (like longer showers because of low flow). Or is it usually one wins out over the other? Sometimes it feels like you fix one thing and another pops up.
Choosing Between Energy Efficiency Or Water Savings For Green Building Points?
Sometimes it feels like you fix one thing and another pops up.
Totally get that. Here’s what I’ve noticed after swapping out fixtures and tracking bills for a year:
- Water-efficient showerheads did cut water use, but yeah—showers got longer because the flow just wasn’t satisfying.
- Gas bill for hot water actually went up a bit, which surprised me.
- Toilets and faucets were a win, though—no comfort loss, just savings.
It really does come down to your setup. If your plumbing’s older, sometimes those “green” upgrades don’t play nice. I’d say test one change at a time if you can. That helped me figure out what was worth it and what wasn’t.
I ran into the same thing with low-flow showerheads—felt like I was just standing there forever trying to rinse out shampoo. Ended up switching back to a regular one and just being mindful of time. For me, focusing on insulation and better windows made a bigger dent in energy use than messing with water fixtures. It’s kind of a balancing act... sometimes the “green” points don’t line up with what actually works best for your house.