When it comes to increasing the value of your home, you might be thinking of adding a colorful backsplash, a shiplap wall or giving the exterior an extensive facelift.
Certainly, these things will impress potential buyers at first glance, but if your plumbing is corroded and your fixtures are outdated, trendy materials and colors alone won’t sell your home.
Investing in the performance and functionality of your plumbing, on the other hand, can significantly improve your home’s value. Consider these four upgrades to increase efficiency, save water and add style.
Tankless Water Heater
Storage water heaters keep hot water on standby, wasting energy. In contrast, a tankless water heater supplies hot water only when it’s needed, saving energy.
The savings can be significant. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a gas-fired tankless water heater can save the average household more than $100 a year in energy costs.
That’s why so many homeowners are changing out their storage tanks for tankless units. Plus, unlike the conventional water heater, the tankless unit never runs out of hot water.
Prospective homebuyers will be impressed with this modern upgrade.
Low-Flow Bathroom Fixtures
Your old faucets, showerheads and toilets are massive water-wasters. Upgrading to WaterSense-labeled products can significantly curb water consumption without sacrificing comfort.
Take showerheads, for example. Showerheads manufactured today must use no more than 2.5 gallons per minute. That’s a drastic improvement over decades-old showerheads that use as much as 5 gallons per minute.
However, products with the WaterSense label are even more efficient, using as few as 1.5 gallons per minute. That equates to about 2,700 gallons saved a year.
While you’re at it, upgrade your bathroom faucets and toilets to WaterSense-labeled products to save an additional 13,000 gallons or more a year.
Pull-out Kitchen Sink Faucet
The convenience factor of a pull-out kitchen sink faucet cannot be overstated. This is an easy upgrade that will not only improve functionality, but these faucets are big on style! Their gooseneck design serves as a statement piece. Today’s homebuyers have come to expect them.
Re-piping
Replacing your old, corroded galvanized steel pipes with copper and PEX piping obviously won’t do anything to enhance curb appeal, but it will improve functionality, prevent problems and last for decades to come.
It’s a big job. It’s an expensive job. But prospective buyers will be all the more inclined if they know the home’s plumbing system underwent an overhaul.
Bottom line: An updated plumbing system with efficient fixtures will attract buyers. When renovating, don’t overlook this critical part of your home. For all your plumbing needs, contact Before & After Plumbing at (623) 250-5883.
