Plumbing

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Plumbing

• Green Application 2

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Key Lessons from Plumbing

• In Plumbing, we learned about
• Tool and equipment use, safety, and maintenance
• Fixtures and plumbing equipment
• Proper plumbing layouts and installation
• Accurate troubleshooting for plumbing operations

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Green Building Principles and Plumbing

• Each of Plumbings key lessons can shape these
  important green principles
• Energy efficiency
• Water conservation
• Durability and water management
• Green product selection
• Reduce material use and recycle waste
• Work with other trades
• Homeowner education and training manual

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Energy Efficiency

• Plumbing shapes some of the sources for energy
  that we use in our homesespecially water
  heaters.
• A green plumber will look for energy efficient
  alternatives when picking and installing key
  equipment.

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Energy Efficiency

• A plumber can
• Design and install an energy efficient water
  heating system
• Design and install an energy efficient hydronic
  heating system
• Insulate pipes
• Maintain and ensure the integrity of the air
  barrier when laying pipe

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Water Conservation

• Plumbing plays the most important role of all
  trades in determining how water is used, and how
  much of it is used.
• A green plumber will look for water conserving
  equipment and fixtures, will look for alternative
  water sources and reuse systems, and design
  layouts that will deliver water efficiently.

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Water Conservation

• A plumber can
• Design a plumbing layout that conserves water
• Select and install water conserving fixtures and
  appliances
• Install a graywater collection system
• Harvest rainwater
• Reduce outdoor and irrigation water use

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Durability and Water Management

• Plumbing directly shapes the amount of water and
  moisture that can enter a home, but from the
  inside out.
• A good plumber is a green plumber. Installing
  pipes and equipment correctly prevents leaks and
  damage.

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Durability and Water Management

• A plumber can
• Seal roofing and siding penetrations
• Avoid plumbing leaks
• Ensure that water and sewage drains are correctly
  directed away from interior spaces

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Green Product Selection

• There are many materials and products that a
  plumber uses, and many of these (like pipe and
  faucets) are used in large quantities.
• A green plumber will select materials and
  products that both use less material and energy
  in their manufacturing, and then less water in
  their operations.

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Green Product Selection

• A plumber can
• Select plumbing products and materials with low
  environmental impact, like flexible piping rather
  than metal
• Select locally made materials and fixtures
• Select and install water conserving appliances
  and fixtures

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Reduce Material Use and Recycle Waste

• Plumbing is material-intensive, and oftentimes
  does not use the materials efficiently.
• A plumber can design and install pipe layouts
  that are efficient and then reuse or recycle the
  leftover rather than wasting it.

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Reduce Material Use and Recycle Waste

• A plumber can
• Design a material-efficient plumbing layout
• Minimize plumbing waste
• Integrate plumbing waste into the
  jobsite-recycling program

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Work with Other Trades

• A green plumber must coordinate with other trades
  that might change the overall performance of the
  building.
• For example, the plumber must know where the
  carpenter will be framing in order to ensure
  minimal penetrations.

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Homeowner Education and Training Manual

• A green plumber is always ready to make sure that
  her work is maintained properly to last a long
  time.
• Plumbers can provide information to occupants
  about where their water comes from, the kinds of
  fixtures in the home, how to track their water
  use, and how to be water conscious.
• .

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Referencing Plumbing and the Green Application
Plumbing Section Relevant Green Application Section
Tools and Materials Green Product Selection Reduce Material Use and Recycle Waste
2. Fixtures and Equipment Green Product Selection Water Conservation Energy Efficiency
3. Layout and Installation Durability and Water Management Work with Other Trades
4. Troubleshooting Energy Efficiency Homeowner Education and Reference Manual