When people talk about energy efficiency, saving electricity comes to mind. However, in addition to electricity, it is also worthwhile to monitor water consumption, as using water wisely will bring financial savings and reduce environmental impact. Water consumption also has an impact on electricity consumption, as the water used for washing clothes and dishes, for example, is heated by electricity.
Sensible water use in building services is important because it brings financial savings, reduces the risk of water damage and thus protects the value of your home. In this blog post, we'll explain how you can make your water use more economical with building services solutions and how 24 Center can help you. We offer help with both urgent and non-urgent tasks. Feel free to contact our customer service team even when you're not sure how to deal with a building services problem.
Practical tips for preventing frozen drains
Especially in older houses, the risk of freezing water pipes is higher than in new buildings. However, you can prevent drains from freezing. As a durable solution, pipe insulation helps to keep temperature fluctuations to a minimum. If the risk of freezing is known and long-term pipe protection is not possible at the moment, you can consider the following options:
- Homeowners should find out where the so-called "house pipe" runs - the pipe from which water enters the house. An unprotected house pipe is prone to freezing in severe frosts. Before frosty nights, open the tap nearest the house pipe and let the water run. To save resources, run cold water with a low flow - dripping alone is not enough, as only running water will prevent pipes from freezing overnight. Running water can feel like a waste of money. It is estimated that an average of 10 litres of water can be spilled overnight, and after a week the water bill can rise by up to ten euros. However, this is a small cost compared to repairing a burst pipe, which can cost at least €500. You can also collect the drained water if you have a big enough container.
- A thawing cable is a great help if pipes have frozen in the past or if the risk of freezing is particularly high. The cable can be installed either inside or around the water pipe. The principle of operation is the same in both cases: the cable heats the pipe enough to prevent the water from freezing. You can buy such a cable for a few tens of euros, which is a cheap insurance compared to the hundreds of euros it costs to repair a burst pipe.
Read more tips on how to prepare for a frosty night and protect your delicate water pipes.
Upgrade your showers, taps and toilets to water-saving models
Long hot showers quickly increase water and energy consumption. According to a Motiva study, the biggest energy spike in households comes from water used for hygiene. The time spent in the shower can make you wonder - could you wash faster?
Water can be saved by upgrading showers and taps to water-saving models. For example, faucet stops and faucets with motion sensors are both hygienic and economical. Dual flush systems for toilets also help reduce unnecessary water consumption. You can order all your home's wet room fittings from 24 Center.
Order service for your leaking tap and toilet as soon as you notice the problem
It is challenging to monitor the condition of the drains and the accumulation of blockages yourself. Often, problems are only noticed when you start to hear extra noises or water seeping from the wrong place. At this point, plumbing maintenance is already urgent.
A slightly dripping tap or a leaky toilet can seem like a minor inconvenience. But it's worth catching these faults as soon as you notice them. Constantly leaking water can damage the structure and surfaces of your house - even in small amounts - and will certainly show up in your water bill. A leaking tap can lead to bigger problems, such as a burst pipe.
You can also do small everyday things to protect the condition of your drains. Find out how you can prevent blocked drains in your toilet, bathroom and kitchen.
24 Center professionals are here to help you
The professionals in 24 Center's network of partners have extensive experience in a wide range of plumbing projects. The range of services covers all water-related work in building services, such as tap leaks, pipe opening and fusion, as well as the repair of pipe bursts and leaks. We also offer moisture measurements, water damage repairs, water fixture installations and repairs. In addition, we handle heating system installations, maintenance and repairs - for example, we can also repair a hot water heater leak.
In urgent cases, please contact the 24 Center by phone: call 0100 2470. The number is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
In urgent cases, you can also contact us via chat, which is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can leave a call request in the chat and we will get back to you as soon as possible. To start a chat on our website, click on the yellow flashing ball in the bottom right-hand corner.
Ordering urgent work is easy using the online order form. Fill in the contact form and get help for the day of your choice. Alternatively, you can send an order or quote request by email to [email protected].
