Benefits of Installing Low-Flow Showerheads in Rental Units
If you own or manage rental properties, chances are you’ve had problems with wasted water, clogged drains, or other shower-related plumbing issues in the past. Your plumber can help you find ways to care for the rental units’ plumbing while ensuring that the units are also attractive to potential renters.
For instance, a low-flow showerhead can help save money and increase the green credibility of your apartment building or duplexes. Discover some of the benefits you could incur by having your plumber install low-flow showerheads in rental units.
Makes Rental Units Desirable to Eco-Conscious Consumers
Positioning your company and rental units as eco-friendly can go a long way towards making your units desirable in today’s market. Consumers are often willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly goods and services. In addition, renters often look for more eco-friendly rentals nowadays.
After a few affordable eco-friendly upgrades such as low-flow fixtures and added insulation, you may be able to rent your units out for a higher price by advertising these eco-friendly features.
Saves Hot Water and Electricity
The most obvious benefit to a low-flow showerhead is that you can use it to save on hot water. Wasted hot water can be extra pricey because it wastes both water and electricity. If you rent out units with utilities included in the rent, savings on hot water can put more money in your pocket directly.
A low-flow showerhead can save several gallons per minute of showering. For instance, switching from an old 4 GPM (gallon per minute) flow to a 2.5 GPM flow saves 1.5 gallons per minute, whereas switching to a 1.8 GPM showerhead saves 2.2 gallons per minute.
If you already have newer 2.5 GMP showerheads, switching to 1.8 GPM may be less dramatic but can still save on hot water. As you can imagine, these savings can add up quickly, especially if you have dozens or hundreds of tenants. And you don’t just save on your water and sewer bill at this point but also on the electricity that heats the water for the shower.
Can Function as a Part of Bathroom Remodels
While a low-flow showerhead does reduce the water used, that doesn’t mean it has to be a spartan, bare-bones addition to a bathroom. Some low-flow showerheads can come with luxury features that could help you position the bathroom as a luxury bathroom.
So you can choose a 1.8 GPM showerhead that has a massage spray setting or one that offers a luxury rainfall experience, for instance. This type of showerhead isn’t just a water-saving upgrade but a luxury upgrade as well. Add a few more affordable but luxurious upgrades, and you can use your remodeled bathrooms as a selling point.
May Reduce Water Heater Issues
Even if you don’t pay directly for the utilities your tenants use, you likely have a responsibility to ensure that things like the tenants’ water heater works correctly. While a showerhead won’t directly care for water heaters, it can significantly reduce the use of hot water, which can, in turn, reduce wear and tear on water heaters and avoid failure from overuse.
As you can imagine, less water heater wear and tear could translate into fewer water heater repairs and replacements. If you have a lot of tenants and a lot of water heaters, this can add up into big savings over time.
Having low-flow showerheads in place can end up being beneficial to your bottom line. Be sure you select a model of showerhead that doesn’t break easily and will last for years and years so you don’t end up spending money on a lot of replacements.
For more information on how you can increase your green credibility, reduce water bills and electrical bills, and help the environment by installing low-flow plumbing components, contact your local plumber at Moon Valley Plumbing and Rooter today. We can help you with any plumbing job from installation to maintenance to repairs or replacements.
