A2Z Plumbing Contractors, Inc.
A2Z Plumbing Contractors, Inc. are members of the Western North Carolina Green Building Council www.wncgbc.org
 A2Z Plumbing Contractors, Inc. is working with contractors, homeowners, and business owners to promote more environmentally sustainable ways of operating .Incorporating green building practices into the plumbing trade will improve quality of air, water, and living. Following are some examples of ways that we reduces our environmental footprint: BIODIESEL AND HYBRID VEHICLES 1. We use bio diesel provided by Blue Ridge BioFuels which is a cleaner burning fuel for diesel engines made from oils such as soy, canola and animal fats. The use of biodiesel reduces harmful emissions, supports local economy, reduces dependence on foreign oil, and extends the life of a diesel engine. Biodiesel is also biodegradable and is cleaner than diesel in every category. We also use a Hybrid (battery assisted, gas powered) vehicle to do most estimating and around town networking and errands. PIPE, GLUES AND CLEANERS We use low V.O.C. (Volatile Organic Compound) glue, cleaner and primer on all PVC piping. We offer post consumer recycled content piping for all plumbing systems in the home such as copper and cast iron as alternatives to PVC pipe. PVC plastic is believed to be a known carcinogen throughout its useful life. ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND WATER CONSERVATION On Demand Water Heaters: We install On Demand water heaters that save enormous amounts of energy and water while taking up a small amount of wall space in your utility room or basement. See a simple blue print of the Rinnai On demand water heater, one which we do supply, here: http://foreverhotwater.com/blueprint.php We are certified dealers and installers of Rinnai on demand water heaters. Gray Water & Rain Water Systems: We install waste water reduction systems such as rain water harvesting and gray water systems. WHY HARVEST RAIN WATER? There are many good, valid reasons for harvesting rain water. First and foremost, it's free!!! Rain water is a precious resource that we can use to reduce the amount of potable water we use to flush our toilets and irrigate our land. By rain harvesting we will also reduce pollution from storm water run-off, erosion, and lower the amount of treatment currently needed at local utility facilities. Intermignling of gray water and rain water systems together can reduce your water bill up to 90%! Following are a list of applications for a rain water system: ~ Toilet flushing ~ Urinal Flushing ~ Irrigation ~ As a secondary water supply to Gray Water System ~ Fire sprinkler ~ Potable water We are certified installers of the BRAE rain water system. Ask us about rain harvesting systems so that you can take advantage of free water! For more information on the types of rain harvesting systems we can install, go to http://www.braewater.com/ . WHY USE GREY WATER? Our fresh water supply is ever decreasing and we must reduce the amount of fresh water wasted. We can incorporate gray water systems into existing plumbing and help design most new systems. Grey water is water that would normally be wasted down the drains of kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, tubs and showers that can be used to flush toilets. See detailed information about grey water systems here. www.bracsystems.com. The gray water systems are provided by Aqua Pro Solutions: http://www.aquaprosolutions.com/ You can see a read a PDF of the rules and regulations of installation of grey water systems in your home or business according to NC code here: http://www.bracgreywater.com/downloads/Graywater_in_NC_Facts-103007.pdf We have installed the first approved grey water system in Buncombe County for one of our Customers, Demos Builders. IN THE OFFICE ~ We participate in NC Green Power/Progress Energy’s program that uses electricity generated from renewable resources such as solar, wind, biomass and water to provide clean energy for our Office and Workshop. www.NCgreenpower.org ~ In the office we email invoices, estimates and any other documents to reduce the amount of paper used as often as possible. We use at least 40% post consumer copy paper, fax paper, letterhead, and envelopes. All paper, cardboard, plastic, cans, and bottles are recycled. www.curbie.com ~ We request that our plumbing & gas material suppliers pack all goods in paper that can be recycled IN THE FIELD All PVC (poly vinyl chloride) scrap is saved at our shop in hopes of one day finding a way to recycle it. If you have ideas on this subject please write a2zasheville@eatsleepplumb.com. All copper, brass, cast iron, lead, galvanized pipe, and other bi-metal products are recycled. All job site cardboard, paper, cans, bottles are recycled. Anything (we mean anything!) that can be reused will be. 10 WAYS TO CONSERVE WATER 1. A leaky faucet can waste 100s of gallons per day! Call your plumber to repair leaking faucets and pipes. 2. One Flush of a standard toilet uses 1.6 gallons of water. Ask us about fluid masters that can save about 4,200 gallons of water per year per toilet at a cost of about $45.00. www.gomjsi.com/hydroclean.html . Also ask about gray water systems that use your shower, tub and washing machine water to flush toilets. 3. The average 5-minute shower uses 15-25 gallons of water. Depending on your shower head, reducing a daily shower from 10 to 5 minutes can save 5,475 to 19,250 gallons of water per year! Have us install a low-flow shower head that will also reduce the amount of water wasted down the drain. 4. Instead of drinking bottled water or filling a glass for the tap each time you are thirsty, fill your favorite pitcher with water and store in the refrigerator. Don't forget, the average human should drink about 2.5 quarts (80 ounces) of water a day! Use one drinking glass per day to reduce the amount of dishes to wash. 5. Turn the faucet off while: brushing teeth, lathering hands, shaving, and washing dishes. Did you know that washing dishes by hand uses more water than a dishwasher? Only do large/full loads of dishes and clothes in your dishwasher and washing machine. 6. Use a broom to clean your driveway. porch, patio and sidewalk instead of the water hose. You could save 80 gallons of water each time. 7. Know where your main water shut off valve is. If a pipe bursts you will be able to turn of water to your home or business and save 1000s of gallons of water. 8. Leave buckets out to catch rain water and use for watering your garden and ask us about rain harvesting. Plant in the spring in fall when watering is not needed as much as in the hot summer months. Let leaves cover garden bed to retain moisture. 9. Avoid using ornamental water features that spray water into the air, reducing the amount of water lost to evaporation. Don't purchase recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water. 10. Every drop counts! Be conscious of your water usage and take steps everyday to save our depleting precious resources! For more info on how to save, go to www.wateruseitwisely.com/index.shtml |
