Septic systems are one of the most ancient methods of treating sewage. By now you probably are clear about how the system works and what you need to do to keep it healthy. You know that there are certain things that you don’t put down the drain, when to have the system pumped, and how to keep it running efficiently. While you are probably doing everything correctly, there are always ways to improve the efficiency of your septic system. At B&B Pumping, we are your local septic and anaerobic cleaning professionals. We have been family owned since 1958 and we have been proudly pumping septic systems in Fort Worth, Haslet, and Decatur ever since. We want to make sure that your septic system is functioning at its peak and any information we can offer to help you do that, we will. Today we are going to talk about the impact that high-efficiency appliances can have on your septic system.
Boost The Life Of Your Septic System With Energy Efficient Appliances
B & B Pumping
ENERGY STAR
Because the government has its hands in everything, they have their own division of the EPA to inform consumers how to choose energy efficient appliances and electronics. This service can be invaluable when shopping for a new appliance as the ENERGY STAR logo is displayed along with information about the appliance or device’s energy usage. They offer a wide range of services to educate consumers about responsible energy usage and tactics for saving energy in the home. How does this have anything to do with septic systems? One of the major causes of septic issues is too much water being introduced into the tank and leach field. This will upset the delicate bacterial process in the tank and overwhelm the system. Conserving water is one way to avoid this from occurring and energy efficient appliances are designed to use less water than older, less efficient models. So, whenever you are looking for a new washing machine, dishwasher, or even toilet, look for the ENERGY STAR logo.
Washing Machine
How would we live without a washing machine? Think about how awful it would be to have to walk down to the river and bang your Dockers on a rock to get them ready for work tomorrow. Washing machines have become a part of our lives, it is not really an option to get rid of your washing machine. Of course, while you are not going to give up your washing machine, you can always get a more updated, efficient model. ENERGY STAR approved washing machines are designed to save you water as well as energy. New high-efficiency washing machines will get your clothes just as clean, if not cleaner, than older, inefficient models. They use less water to do the same amount of work. Not only is this better on your utility bills but your septic system will notice a difference as well.
Toilets
The toilet is a big water consumer in the home, especially if your toilet was made in the late Ford administration. These days, a toilet can suck a golf ball down using a tablespoon of water. Well, maybe not but high-efficiency toilets can save massive amounts of water. Using a fraction of the water of old toilets, it is estimated that you can save up to 27,000 gallons of water a year by upgrading. That is a lot of flushes. Look for a toilet that is labeled low-flow. Low-flow toilets use less than 1.28 gallons per flush while those that are not low flow will use upwards of 3.5 gallons per flush. Some think that a low-flow toilet is not as effective at handling business, if you know what we are saying. Current low-flow toilets are more than capable of whisking away pretty much any sized *ahem* load. Upgrade your old toilets with low-flow devices, this will put less stress on your septic system and your water bill will reflect the upgrade.
Dishwasher
Most of us have a dishwasher, and just like the washing machine we have become accustomed to using a dishwasher for all of our dish washing needs. Of course if you really wanted to save water, a sink full of soapy water and some elbow grease will suffice but who has the time for that? New dishwashers that are ENERGY STAR certified wash dishes with less water and consume much less energy than a dishwasher that is not certified. The cost to run a dishwasher that is certified is a mere $35 a year, that is less than some of us spend at the gym every month. Put less strain on your septic system and get a new dishwasher, or get rid of the gym membership and work that upper body scraping dishes in the sink.
Garbage Disposal
While the garbage disposal is the pinnacle of convenience, if you have a septic system, the best advice we can offer is don’t use one. While on the surface, the garbage disposal seems to be fairly innocuous, but in reality, it can be the death of your septic tank. We know it is super fun to throw whole vegetables down the garbage disposal, (trust us, stay away from the eggplant), but if you have a septic system every carrot you throw down there is not only depriving yourself of delicious veggies, it could be plugging your septic system. The ground up food is not going to decay at the rate acceptable to the biological process when introduced to the septic system. This means that every time you use your garbage disposal you are potentially shortening the lifespan of your system.
It Is Time To Upgrade Your Appliances
As much as we love seeing our repeat customers, we know that you do not want to have B&B Pumping come out every year or so to pump your septic system. One of the best ways to keep us away is to upgrade your water wasting appliances to ENERGY STAR certified units and practicing some conservation on your own. Things like, turning off the water when you are shaving or brushing your teeth, switching out your shower head for a low-flow model, and even washing your own dishes — yes, in the sink. If you need any more water saving tips or it has been longer than you can remember since you have had your septic system cleaned out, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We take pride in serving our customers and as we always like to say, Nobody Sticks Their Nose In Our Business! Please contact us today or check out our residential septic pumping services. We look forward to hearing from you!