New Year Plumbing Goals: Smart Upgrades That Save Water and Energy

January is the perfect time to set home improvement goals that actually lower your bills. In Annapolis, Severna Park, Stevensville, and across Anne Arundel and Queen Anne’s counties, smart plumbing upgrades can cut water and energy use without sacrificing comfort. From tankless water heaters to leak detection and pressure control, Chesapeake Bay Plumbing, LLC helps you prioritize solutions that pay off quickly and keep your home running smoothly all year.

Start with upgrades that deliver fast savings

Before you buy gadgets, tackle the fundamentals. Small inefficiencies—hidden leaks, high pressure, aging fixtures—quietly waste money and stress your plumbing.

• Smart leak detectors with auto shutoff: Wi‑Fi sensors and a main-line shutoff valve stop catastrophic leaks from toilets, washing machines, or slab leaks. Great for vacation travel and second homes around Kent Island.
• Pressure-reducing valve (PRV): Many Annapolis and Crofton neighborhoods see static pressure over 80 psi. A PRV protects pipes, extends fixture life, and reduces leak risk.
• WaterSense fixtures: Replace old 3.5 gpf toilets and high-flow showerheads with WaterSense-rated models. You’ll save thousands of gallons per year without losing performance.
• Hot water recirculation: A demand or timer-based recirc pump reduces the “wait-for-hot-water” waste in long runs common in waterfront homes in Edgewater and Highland Beach.

PAA spotlight: What plumbing upgrades save the most water?

The biggest water savers are WaterSense toilets and showerheads, smart leak detection with automatic shutoff, and hot water recirculation systems that eliminate cold-water purge waste. Fixing a single running toilet can save hundreds of gallons per day. In well-system homes around Queenstown and Grasonville, timely leak repair also protects the pump and pressure tank, reducing energy usage alongside water savings.

Hot water, lower cost: tank vs. tankless for winter comfort

Whether you have a traditional tank or you’re considering a tankless water heater, winter is when efficiency matters most.

• High-efficiency tanks: Right-size your tank for your family’s peak demand and add maintenance—annual sediment flushing and anode inspection—especially if you’re on a well. Sediment acts like insulation, forcing longer burner time.
• Tankless water heaters: Properly sized gas tankless units provide on-demand hot water and can reduce energy use by heating only when needed. Add a recirculation feature for near-instant hot water at distant bathrooms.
• Smart settings: Set temperature to 120°F for comfort and safety. Insulate hot-water lines in garages, crawlspaces, and exterior walls in Pasadena, Arnold, and Severna Park to retain heat and speed delivery.

Smarter control, fewer surprises

A few small devices make a big difference in everyday comfort and protection.

• Whole-home smart shutoff: Monitors usage patterns and closes the valve when it detects unusual flow—ideal for snow-season trips.
• Point-of-use angle-stop upgrades: Old, stuck valves under sinks and toilets complicate emergencies. Fresh quarter-turn valves make maintenance and repairs faster and safer.
• Backflow prevention: If you have irrigation or a hose bib near the dock in Annapolis or Chester, make sure backflow assemblies are tested and functioning to protect your drinking water.

Local, data-driven insights for Maryland homes

• High pressure is common in newer Anne Arundel County developments; we routinely measure 80–100 psi. A PRV plus whole-home pressure monitoring reduces fixture wear and pinhole leaks.
• Older homes in Crownsville and Glen Burnie with galvanized or aging copper benefit from partial or whole-house repipe to improve flow, prevent slab leaks, and stabilize water quality.
• Well systems in Queen Anne’s County need periodic pressure tank and switch checks; a failing tank causes short-cycling that drives up energy costs and shortens pump life.

Your New Year plumbing checklist

• Install smart leak detection and test your main shutoff.
• Check house pressure; add or adjust a PRV to stay near 60 psi.
• Replace at least one high-use fixture with a WaterSense model.
• Service your water heater; consider tankless or recirculation if hot water runs short.
• Ask about utility or manufacturer rebates on efficient fixtures and water heaters.

Make 2026 the year your home uses less and does more. Chesapeake Bay Plumbing, LLC offers water heater service and installation (tank and tankless), smart leak protection, PRVs, recirculation, fixture upgrades, drain repair, and emergency plumbing. We proudly serve Stevensville, Chester, Grasonville, Queenstown, Annapolis, Riva, Arnold, Crofton, Pasadena, Edgewater, Crownsville, Glen Burnie, Severna Park, Amberley, and Highland Beach. Schedule your New Year efficiency consultation at https://www.chesapeakebayplumbing.com/ for friendly, reliable service—often the same day.