In April of 2008, the City Council of Dallas passed a green construction ordinance. The purpose of this ordinance is to reduce the amount of water and energy consumed in new commercial buildings and homes that are being constructed in the city. This ordinance is going to cause some changes to the Dallas plumbing code in order to reach the new goals.
Dallas has not always had the reputation of being a city aware of the environment. During the days of big oil, Dallas was a very conspicuous consumer of that number on money producer. Transportation was by personal vehicle and the larger the car or truck, the better. Now the city has a goal of becoming carbon neutral by the year 2030 and of lowering its energy consumption by fifty percent. Dallas wants to become know as one of the greenest cities in the nation. Already it has one of the largest fleets of clean city owned vehicles.
The initial phase of the ordinance began October 1, 2009 and will last for two years. Home builders must build more energy efficient homes than ever before. The plumbing code has changed to require low flow shower heads and faucets along wit water efficient dish washers and washing machines. Toilets must use less than 1. 3 gallons per flush and be dual flush models. Irrigation systems must be drip style to lower evaporation. When phase two begins, the water consumption must be lowered by twenty percent.
The ordinance already lowers the water consumption for commercial construction by twenty percent. This portion of the code will remain the same for phase two of the plan.
To reach these goals Dallas plumbing contractors will need to install low flow shower heads, faucets and dual flush toilets. Irrigation systems must be made more efficient and dishwashers and washing machines will be required to use less water. Commercial buildings may decide to use water reclamation systems to cut water usage even more.
While there may be an initial cost increase for the plumbing fixtures that are required to meet the new Dallas plumbing code, owners of the homes and commercial buildings will reap benefits from the changes. Lower consumption means lower power and water bills.
Savings will be far more than monetary. This new ordinance will improve the air that Dallas residents breathe and will ensure more clean air and streams in the city for many more generations. - 30517
Dallas has not always had the reputation of being a city aware of the environment. During the days of big oil, Dallas was a very conspicuous consumer of that number on money producer. Transportation was by personal vehicle and the larger the car or truck, the better. Now the city has a goal of becoming carbon neutral by the year 2030 and of lowering its energy consumption by fifty percent. Dallas wants to become know as one of the greenest cities in the nation. Already it has one of the largest fleets of clean city owned vehicles.
The initial phase of the ordinance began October 1, 2009 and will last for two years. Home builders must build more energy efficient homes than ever before. The plumbing code has changed to require low flow shower heads and faucets along wit water efficient dish washers and washing machines. Toilets must use less than 1. 3 gallons per flush and be dual flush models. Irrigation systems must be drip style to lower evaporation. When phase two begins, the water consumption must be lowered by twenty percent.
The ordinance already lowers the water consumption for commercial construction by twenty percent. This portion of the code will remain the same for phase two of the plan.
To reach these goals Dallas plumbing contractors will need to install low flow shower heads, faucets and dual flush toilets. Irrigation systems must be made more efficient and dishwashers and washing machines will be required to use less water. Commercial buildings may decide to use water reclamation systems to cut water usage even more.
While there may be an initial cost increase for the plumbing fixtures that are required to meet the new Dallas plumbing code, owners of the homes and commercial buildings will reap benefits from the changes. Lower consumption means lower power and water bills.
Savings will be far more than monetary. This new ordinance will improve the air that Dallas residents breathe and will ensure more clean air and streams in the city for many more generations. - 30517
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