Recirculating pumps are one of those things I keep going back and forth on. I get the appeal—instant hot water sounds great, especially in winter—but I’ve heard mixed things about how much energy they actually save. Some folks say you end up using more electricity than you’d expect, unless you get a model with a timer or motion sensor. Plus, it’s another thing to break down the line.
About the pipe insulation, I used the foam sleeves too and honestly didn’t notice a huge difference either. Like you said, if there’s a drafty crawlspace or basement, it barely helps. Sealing up those gaps made more of an impact for me than just wrapping pipes.
On the dual-flush kits:
—yeah, that’s been my experience too. Tried one on an older toilet and ended up with leaks around the seal. Sometimes it feels like these “green” upgrades are more hassle than they’re worth unless your house is already set up for them.sometimes those “universal” kits don’t fit quite right
Recirculating pumps are one of those “sounds great, but…” upgrades for sure.
- Instant hot water? Love the idea, especially when you’re half-awake in the morning and just want to get in the shower without waiting for ages.
- Energy savings? Eh, not always what they’re cracked up to be. If you run the pump 24/7, it’s like leaving a light on in every room all day. The timer/motion sensor models are better, but then you’re fiddling with more settings than a universal remote.
- Maintenance: My uncle put one in and it worked fine for a year, then started making this weird humming noise at 2am. Turns out, the check valve was stuck. He fixed it, but now he’s paranoid it’ll go out again.
Pipe insulation—yeah, I’ve wrapped pipes in foam sleeves too. Didn’t notice much unless I went full goblin and crawled around sealing every drafty spot first. It’s like putting a jacket on but leaving the window open… kinda pointless unless you do both.
Dual-flush kits are hit or miss. Those “universal” ones are about as universal as phone chargers—sometimes they fit, sometimes you end up with a slow leak that drives you nuts. I tried one on my old toilet and had to MacGyver the gasket with plumber’s putty just to get it to stop dripping. Not exactly plug-and-play.
Honestly, some of these green upgrades are great if your house is newer or already set up for them. In older places, it can feel like you’re fighting the house every step of the way. Sometimes the best “upgrade” is just fixing drafts and leaks the old-fashioned way… and maybe just taking shorter showers when it’s cold.
Honestly, I’ve looked into recirc pumps and always end up passing. The upfront cost plus the risk of leaks or electrical issues just isn’t worth it for me, especially in an older house. I’d rather spend that money on fixing drafts or a new low-flow showerhead—less to break, and you actually see savings. Dual-flush kits are tempting but yeah, unless your toilet’s newer, they’re more hassle than help. Sometimes “sustainable” just means keeping things simple and reliable.
I get where you’re coming from on recirc pumps. I did the math once and, between the cost of the pump, running new lines, and the potential for something to go sideways with my 1960s plumbing, it just didn’t add up. Plus, I’m not exactly eager to cut more holes in the walls unless I have to.
Low-flow showerheads are a win in my book—cheap, easy to install, and you actually notice the difference on your water bill. I swapped mine out last year and, honestly, nobody in the house even complained about water pressure. As for dual-flush kits, I tried one on an older toilet and it was... let’s just say “temperamental.” Ended up going back to basics after a few too many phantom flushes.
Sometimes the best upgrade is just fixing what’s already there. Drafts, leaky faucets, that kind of thing. Not as flashy as some “green” tech but way less likely to cause headaches down the road.
Cutting into old walls for plumbing upgrades is always a gamble—seen too many surprises behind drywall. I’m with you on low-flow showerheads, though. Quick swap, no mess, and way less risk of leaks. Dual-flush kits can be finicky, especially on older toilets... sometimes simple fixes just last longer.
