When a building is constructed in a green way, the environmental impact is minimal.

The use of green architecture reduces a building’s ecological impact by making use of sustainable site planning, water efficiency techniques, renewable energy and energy conservation, and preservation of materials and resources.

Additionally, green architecture minimizes the harmful effects that construction work and the use of non-sustainable materials have on your health.

You might have noticed that green architecture pushes the design envelope in new and exciting ways. At first glance you might think a green building looks out of place in its urban surroundings, but nevertheless when a green building is erected, the landscape and ecological impact is considered and the shape of the structure is created to fit into that space in the most environmentally conscious way possible.

Characteristics to notice on and in a green building are:

• Ventilation systems that are devised for effectual heating and cooling.
• Lighting and appliances that are energy efficient.
• Plumbing fixtures that are true water savers.
• The use of a solar panel system to provide some, if not all, of the building’s power.
• The possible use of wind power. Although this is not as popular as solar power, it is a renewable resource.
• Non-toxic and non-synthetic materials are used throughout the building.
• The materials used for construction are locally sourced such as wood and stone.
• Minimal harm has been done to the land that the building sits on during construction.
• Recycled material from other structures has been used, such as the adaptive reprocessing of older buildings that are in disrepair.

A green building doesn’t have to possess all of these features, but the more the better as the goal of this type of architecture is to make the structure fully sustainable.

Earth-friendly design does meet the demands of modern life. If you decide to revamp your home and turn it into an environmentally sustainable living space, you will not have to give up things such as television and your refrigerator.

Living in an architecturally green structure is becoming more popular because people realize that they can reduce their carbon footprint, save money on utility bills and continue to live their everyday lives.

The post The Rise of Green Architecture appeared first on GreenCity Plumber.

Green plumbing uses less water and energy. It also uses fewer chemicals, creating a fitter environment for you and your family to live in.

Besides a healthier home, after installing green plumbing you’ll notice a significant drop in price when it comes to your utility bills. Leaky faucets can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water yearly. That’s enough to fill an in-ground pool! Unless you plan on swimming in that wasted water, it’s probably best to think about installing green plumbing.

Your plumbing system is composed of fixtures that need water to function. In order to save on your water bill, you can get rid of your traditional tank water heater. Replacing it with a tankless unit can reduce your water bill up to 20%. These units work by heating only the water you want, when you want it, unlike traditional tanks that store water at all times just in case you need to take a shower.

Another great way to go green is with low-flow showerheads. This type of showerhead doesn’t reduce the pressure of the water, but instead controls the flow, leading to less water usage.

Some models of low-flow showerheads even allow you to shut them off while you soap up and turn them back on when it’s time to rinse without having to adjust the temperature, thus saving even more water in the process.

Dual-flush toilets are great for helping you save money on your water bill. A toilet of this type has two settings that make for two levels of flushing. There is a full flush and a lower flush option that you can use at your discretion.

It’s recommended that you use the help of a plumber when installing any of the aforementioned items. Even though there are an abundance of DIY tutorials online for helping your plumbing become green, you’ll be running the risk of installing the items improperly or even injuring yourself during the process.

Eliminating water waste by going green with your plumbing not only helps you save money, but will help you save the environment, too!

The post How Can Green Plumbing Help Me Save On My Water Bills? appeared first on GreenCity Plumber.

GreenCity Mechanical takes care of all your backflow preventer needs including engineered mechanical drawings required for all backflow preventer installations greater than 2 inches. We can determine your specific backflow preventer requirement whether it be Reduced Pressure Principle Backflow Prevention Assembly (RP) or Double Check Valve Assembly (DCVA) backflow device.

GreenCity works closely with property managers to ensure minimum downtime to your property and its occupants. All backflow preventer installations will be in full compliance of municipal and provincial backflow preventer codes and bylaws. After installing the back flow preventer device, property owners and/or property managers receive certified copies of the completed test reports for their future reference.

You can rely on GreenCity Mechanical to arrange for annual backflow testing of your backflow devices once the backflow preventer will be installed.

Peace of mind? Property Managers and Property Owners count on GreenCity Mechanical their every backflow preventer need.

Contact us today.

The post Toronto Backflow Preventer Installations appeared first on GreenCity Plumber.

The plumber you called is stuck in traffic. He is already more than half an hour late. You’re really upset.

Did you also know that your GTA Toronto plumber is being paid by his company from the time he first left and even when he is stuck in traffic? Besides the plumber’s hourly wage, there is a whole organization that stands behind the plumber and his work. And did you know traffic gridlock in Toronto costs the local economy billions of dollars each year?

Most people don’t take into account that the truck that comes to your place has a number of costs associated with it such as vehicle purchase, insurance, gas, repairs, maintenance, tire changes, brakes, oil changes and so on. That’s just the truck. What about plumbing parts and specialized equipment also in the truck? Some equipment could easily cost many hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

And besides all this stuff on the road, there is the whole organization that supports the plumber that will be working at your place. Your plumber has the backing of paid staff such as office managers, dispatcher, bookkeeper and other office members that are working behind the scenes that you never see.

In addition, beside office staff salaries, there are office operating costs just to maintain the office such is rent, gas, power, office phones, mobile phones, internet just to name a few.

So when a plumber’s hourly fee for service is charged to you as a customer, besides the time that the plumber has worked at your job, you can see that there are many other costs associated with your job.

No doubt you might be able to do the job for less money, but can you be sure that the job will be professionally done. Sure, you can drive to the nearest plumbing store, find the parts, stand in line to pay; then return parts because they were wrong. You could even take the whole day to complete your plumbing project with parts that cost fifty bucks. And when the project you completed will malfunction, you can spend more of your own time to try and fix it. Heck, no one is paying you for your time so look at all the money you saved.

Plumbers’ hourly fees and travel time may sound high to the uninitiated but when one understands costs associated with your plumber and the costs of operating a plumbing business, the hourly fee charged by our plumbers represent real value for the customer. Our qualified staff are trained in the latest technologies and continually have their skills updated.

You can rely on GreenCity Plumbers to do the job right and if there will be any issues, our plumbers and support staff will be there for you to stand behind their work.

The post Why Does A Plumber Cost So Much Money? appeared first on GreenCity Plumber.

No one minds salting trucks keeping roads and highways clear of winter ice. However, a recent Canadian studyfound that salinity levels in rivers that capture salt solution from highways during winter are almost at the same salinity level as the world’s oceans.

Nick Eyles, Professor of Geology at University of Toronto, reported that tonnes of winter road salt end up as runoff in local creeks and ponds, effectively poisoning them for the balance of the year.

Even though voluntary reductionsof salt by various municipalities and government agencies is currently being practiced, the application of reduced salt on our roads still produces an overabundance of salt in our storm water runoff.

Tainted water from farmers’ fields is ending up in the rivers and lakes that are the source of most of our drinking water. Farmers’ phosphate fertilizers pollute our lakes encouraging the growth and spreading of blue-green algae during the warm summer months. Last summer, the entire water supply for 400,000 citizens of Toledo OH was shut down due to blue-green algae slime releasing toxins that contaminated the entire Toledo water supply.

Extreme weather conditions wash built-up pollutants into our lakes and streams further concentrating the amount of pollutants found in our drinking water sources.

This past summer,Hamilton Harbour ON issued public health advisories to swimmers to be aware of blue-green algae that could cause diarrhea and skin rashes. Blue-green algae can also cause liver problems and kill dogs.

Ajax ON (west of Toronto) was also plagued with putrid knee-deep algae. Industrial soluble phosphorus from effluent caused the buildup. Zebra mussels exasperate the algae problem by allowing natural light to reach depths of 10 meters allowing algae to grow rapidly. Depending on which way the wind blows, algae can be found locally in places as far reaching from Oshawa ON to St. Catharines ON.

Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines are routinely being flushed down toilets resulting in traces of toxic chemicals finding its way into our local water supply.

Unless persons, businessesand governments make a concerted effort to reduce toxicity in our local water supply, the general public’s health and wellbeing of this and future generations will be at risk.

The post Thirsty? Have A Glass Of Water appeared first on GreenCity Plumber.

There is a distinct different between a tank heater and a tankless water heater. A tank heater holds more water while continuously keeping it hot. A tankless water heater warms the water up as it is needed. There are pros and cons to both types of heaters, but the tankless water heater has one big advantage- it is eco-friendly.

Why Should I Purchase a Tankless Water Heater?

• They are safer for the environment
• Tankless heaters conserve energy and reduce your heating costs
• They aren’t as wasteful
• They will allow you to save money as time goes on
• A tankless water heater takes up significantly less space than a tank heater. They are also rather easy to have installed
• A tankless water heater is about 30% more efficient than a tank heater
• The lifespan of a tankless water heater is nearly double that of other heaters. Regardless of the brand you purchase, they all come with some sort of warranty to help you ease your mind. Make sure you purchase one that is made of durable and high-quality materials
• Tankless water heaters provide clean water to homes and other properties. The water isn’t stored in a rusty tank. It comes out pure and free of debris, remaining safer for everyone in the home
• Almost all tankless water heaters come with safety features to prevent those in the home from burns caused by a water temperature that is too hot to handle. You can easily personalize the heater to your family’s preferences.

Tankless water heaters are beneficial to a home in so many ways. Perhaps the only facet of a tankless water heater that could be thought of as a disadvantage is the cost of buying one. These eco-friendly heaters can cost nearly triple what a tank heater costs. Nevertheless, tankless heaters are designed to appeal to those with an interest in conservation and safety for our environment. The initial expense of a tankless heater isn’t bad at all when you consider how much you will be saving on your monthly bills. Eventually, the heater pays for itself by helping families save money through its conservation of energy. The heater also lasts longer than other heater types you have available to you.

The post Advantages Of Tankless Water Heaters appeared first on GreenCity Plumber.

There are some ways you can tell for sure whether or not you should have your sewer line replaced. These methods will help you to open up your eyes to the possible sewer line issue. You may then want to contact a plumber for assistance.

How to Tell If Your Sewer Line Must be Replaced

• There will be visible leakage coming from the line. Puddles of water or even very moist soil may be indicators that the sewer line is ruptured.
• You smell something foul coming from outside. If you have any puddles that are omitting a horrible odor, keep all pets and family members away. Contact the plumber for an inspection right away. The water is more than likely sewage and can make anyone who comes in contact with it ill.
• If you are constantly experiencing clogged drains or backflow, this might mean you are in the market for a new sewer line. It could be blocked for a number of reasons, but you will definitely want to have it checked out. It is possible that a tree root has disrupted the flow or that there is a major clog somewhere deeper in your sewer line. Most sewer lines will last upwards of 100 years. The material the sewer line is made of will determine the longevity of the plumbing. Typically, copper is used due to its durability and ability to last. As long as you maintain the health of your sewer line with regular inspections and proper maintenance, a sewer line replacement will be less likely.

In order to keep your sewer line in tip-top shape, always contact a plumber when you have some sort of plumbing issue. Trying to correct a clog, leak, or other problem on your own, could lead to a costlier disruption. Allow the professionals to fix the plumbing issue using their state-of-the-art tools and superior knowledge. They will get the job done right and prevent a more damaging problem that could affect the entire sewer line in the future.

The post When Do You Need To Replace Your Sewer Line? appeared first on GreenCity Plumber.

Garbage disposals are actually quite environmentally friendly. The food waste that is shredded into small particles and disposed of through a garbage disposal ends up going into the water line. The water is then thoroughly cleaned at a water treatment facility. Some facilities use this food waste as a source of renewable energy.

What Makes a Garbage Disposal Eco-Friendly?

Garbage disposals are one of the easiest ways to stay green. They allow a person to dispose of waste rightfully, rather than tossing it in a garbage bag that will end up in a landfill. Food waste that goes to landfills creates methane gas which is dangerous to all living organisms.

1. Many water treatment facilities will gather the food scraps and have them turned into energy. Not all treatment plants are capable of this, but many of them have the proper machinery and tools to do so. They realize the importance of keeping food waste out of the landfills, as well as the significance of having the waste turned into renewable resources.
2. It has been stated that garbage disposals can actually help reduce global warming. By keeping the food out of landfills, global warming will be significantly reduced. While one household’s food waste being properly disposed of doesn’t do much for the environment, when combined with other garbage disposal users the reduction of global warming is more likely.
3. Garbage disposals act similarly to composting methods. Since the scraps are ground into tiny particles and sent to the water treatment facility, they stand a good chance at becoming fertilizer. A lot of facilities are using the food scraps not only for ways of creating energy, but as fertilizer due to their nutrients.

Not only are garbage disposals extremely convenient to have, they can help you to become greener. With food waste being one of the most prevalent and hazardous types of waste making it to landfills, a garbage disposal might be the best option for your household. Your food scraps will be cared for properly by simply having a garbage disposal installed.

The post 3 Ways Your Garbage Disposal Helps The Environment appeared first on GreenCity Plumber.

While on the hunt for the perfect green bath tub faucet, there are some things that you will want to take into consideration or decide upon. Without any knowledge of what you need or want out of a faucet, shopping for one could become time consuming and tedious.

• Determine whether your bath tub requires a floor mount, wall mount, or a deck mount faucet. Freestanding tubs will often need floor mount faucet systems. This is when the pipes are exposed from the floor to the tub. A wall mount is when the faucet comes directly out of the bathroom wall and straight into the hole drilled within the bath tub for the faucet head to go through. A deck mount requires the faucet to be attached to the flat surface of a bath tub as it arches over into the tub.
• If you have yet to purchase the bathtub you want, you must make that decision before buying a faucet. You could purchase the faucet first, but it is much more difficult to base a bathtub style off of a faucet purchase. Vintage bathtubs can be especially hard to find faucets for; usually you will need antique faucet styles to complete the look and functionality. Antique faucets cannot be found in environmentally friendly styles.
• The quality of the green bath tub faucet you choose should be relevant. Check out reviews and ratings of different green faucet types before you make a purchase. The faucet should be proven to efficiently cater to green initiatives while functioning as any faucet should. It should also be made of eco-friendly materials, yet provide durability for a longer lifespan.
• Decide on a finish for the faucet. What type of finish do you desire for your bathtub or bathroom fixtures? Try to select a green bath tub faucet with a finish that matches the other hardware within the bathroom.
• Weigh the pros and cons of your desired bath tub faucets. Do they cater to the wants and needs of your desire to be environmentally friendly? Do they fit nicely within your budget range? Do they come with guarantees or positive feedback?

The post Tips To Selecting A Green Bathtub Faucet appeared first on GreenCity Plumber.

There a few reasons why your faucet might be leaking. It is important to pinpoint the cause so that you can fix the leaky faucet properly. Nevertheless, no matter the reason for the leak, the fix is usually very easy to carry out. Of course, calling your plumber is always best in any plumbing situation, but a leaky faucet doesn’t necessarily require one if you wish to correct it on your own.

Replace the O-Ring

The o-ring is an o-shaped piece that sits directly within the faucet’s handles. This creates a seal in which water has a difficult time getting through. This waterproofing method is essential for properly functioning faucets. If you notice any water leakage coming from the handle of the faucet, you more than likely need to replace the o-ring. This is a quick and inexpensive fix.

Check for Washers

Make sure that there are washers resting between the handles. Compression faucets are the only type of faucets to have washers sitting in the handles, but they are also the most common type of faucet. This is also the most familiar reason for water leakage. The washers erode and break over time, and will need to replaced as soon as you notice any leaking coming from the faucet due to rusty, broken, or missing washers.

Cartridge Valve Replacement

A cartridge faucet is perhaps one of the easiest faucets to use. It includes one or two handles for hot and cold water, and turning the handles tends to be less difficult. When this type of faucet has a visible leak, you must replace the entire cartridge valve. This is another simple and inexpensive fix. Just purchase the appropriate valve and install it as specified on the packaging.

As quick and cheap it is to fix a leaking faucet, calling a plumber is never a bad idea. While you may be trying to avoid the costs of a plumber, they are trained to handle all types of water leakage, and will usually have the parts already prepared as soon as they arrive.

The post Tips To Repair Faucet Leakage appeared first on GreenCity Plumber.