Plumbing Sustainability Upsells: Eco-Friendly Practices for a Greener Business

Plumbing sustainability upsells aren’t just good for the planet – going green is great for your plumbing business too!

Plumbing sustainability upsells are quickly becoming a major selling point for customers who care about the environment. If you’re a plumbing company looking to expand into other markets and stand out from competitors, embracing eco-friendly practices could be your ticket to success.

In this blog, we’ll explore how your plumbing business can become more sustainable while also improving your bottom line.

What Is Plumbing Sustainability and Why Does It Matter?

Plumbing sustainability refers to practices and technologies that reduce water waste, energy consumption and environmental impact in plumbing systems. For plumbing companies like yours, this means offering services and products that help customers conserve resources while maintaining or improving performance.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American family wastes 180 gallons of water per week, or 9,400 gallons annually, from household leaks alone. That’s enough water to wash more than 300 loads of laundry.

Fun Fact: A single leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year!

Customers are increasingly seeking out businesses that prioritize environmental responsibility. In fact, 55% of customers will open their wallets wider for companies that make eco-friendly choices.

Simple Green Practices You Can Start Today

Plumbing sustainability isn’t just about upsells, it’s a part of your behind the scenes operations, too. However, it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Here are some easy, everyday ways to make your plumbing company more eco-friendly:

1. Offer Water Audits

Help customers identify water waste by offering comprehensive water audits. During these inspections, your technicians can spot leaky fixtures, inefficient appliances and opportunities for water conservation.

A typical water audit can help households reduce water usage by 30%, according to the Alliance for Water Efficiency.

2. Recycle Materials

Make material recycling a standard practice in your business:

Recycle old copper and brass pipes instead of sending them to landfills
Properly dispose of old water heaters through recycling programs
Use recycled materials whenever possible in your operations

The Copper Development Association reports that recycling copper requires up to 85% less energy than primary production.

3. Switch to Eco-Friendly Products

Replace harsh chemical cleaners with environmentally friendly alternatives:

Enzymatic drain cleaners instead of chemical ones
Bio-based pipe cleaners
Natural cleaning products for your office and service vehicles

The American Lung Association links many traditional cleaning chemicals to respiratory issues and other health problems.

Plumbing Sustainability Upsells: Water-Saving Technologies Worth Investing In

As plumbing sustainability becomes more important to customers, staying up-to-date with water-saving technologies gives your business a competitive edge.

Take a look at these leading plumbing sustainability upsells you can start offering to customers:

1. High-Efficiency Fixtures

These modern fixtures deliver excellent performance while using significantly less water:

Low-flow toilets (1.28 gallons per flush vs. 3.5+ for older models)
Water-saving faucets and showerheads
Smart irrigation systems

2. Greywater Systems

Greywater systems reuse water from sinks, showers and washing machines for toilet flushing or landscape irrigation. Installing these systems can reduce a household’s water bills by up to 40%.

Tankless Water Heaters

These on-demand systems heat water only when needed, eliminating standby energy losses from storage tanks:

Use 34% less energy than conventional water heaters
Last 5-10 years longer on average
Provide unlimited hot water when sized correctly

The Department of Energy estimates that for homes using 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, tankless water heaters can be 24–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.

Marketing Your Eco-Friendly Services

Once you’ve implemented plumbing sustainability upsells and practices, it’s important to let customers know about them. Here’s how to effectively market your green initiatives:

Certifications and Partnerships

Become EPA WaterSense partners
Get certified as a Green Business by your local chamber of commerce
Join sustainable building associations

Educational Content

Create content that helps customers understand the benefits of plumbing sustainability:

Blog posts about water conservation tips
Social media videos demonstrating eco-friendly products
Email newsletters with seasonal sustainability advice

Content Marketing Institute reports that educational content generates 3x more leads than traditional advertising for 62% less.

Green Service Packages

Bundle your eco-friendly services into attractive packages:

“Home Water Efficiency Upgrade”
“Green Bathroom Renovation”
“Sustainable Kitchen Plumbing Package”

Financial Benefits of Embracing Plumbing Sustainability

Going green doesn’t just help the environment—it can significantly boost your business’s financial health too.

Attract Premium Customers

Eco-conscious customers are often willing to pay more for sustainable services. A Nielsen study found that 66% of consumers will pay a premium for services from environmentally responsible companies.

Reduce Operating Costs

Implementing sustainable practices in your own operations can lower costs:

Fuel-efficient service vehicles reduce gas expenses
Digital paperwork eliminates printing costs
Energy-efficient tools and office equipment lower utility bills
Plumbing software like Fieldedge can help streamline many of your operations

Tax Incentives and Rebates

The government offers financial incentives for businesses that implement sustainable practices. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) lists over 2,700 policies and incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency across the United States.

The Future of Plumbing Sustainability

The demand for sustainable plumbing upsells and solutions is not going away. Smart water technologies are expected to become mainstream in the next decade. The smart water management market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% from 2024 to 2030.

Fun Fact: New houses today use 50% less water than houses constructed in the 1980s!

See how FieldEdge can revolutionize your operations. Book your personalized demo today!

Level Up Your Business With Plumbing Sustainability Upsells and Practices

Plumbing sustainability upsells and practices aren’t just a trend—they’re the future of the industry. By embracing eco-friendly practices, your established plumbing business can reach new heights of success while making a positive impact on the environment.

Here are a few key takeaways from this article:

Plumbing sustainability offers both environmental and business benefits
Start with simple green practices like water audits and material recycling
Invest in water-saving technologies that provide value to customers
Market your eco-friendly services effectively through certifications and educational content
Take advantage of financial benefits including premium pricing and tax incentives

Ready to make your plumbing business more sustainable? Start by implementing one green practice at a time. Your customers—and the planet—will thank you!

Remember: In the world of plumbing, going green means seeing more green in your bank account too. Take the sustainable plumbing journey today and watch your business grow to the next level of success!