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You may not realize it, but your home plumbing system accounts for about 15 percent of your total home value. That’s an investment worth paying more attention to so you can pay less in the ways that count.

Plumbing is an integral part of your household; it encompasses the pressure of the water that comes into your home, unobstructed piping and draining systems, and filtration, among other aspects. A properly functioning household plumbing system will be beneficial in a multitude of ways, including the following:

• The faucet water will be drinkable, because you would have access to clean and fresh water throughout your home
• Warm water will be accessible, which helps to maintain a high level of cleanliness in the home and for your family
• Your overall health, hygiene and well-being all benefit from access to clean water
• A thoroughly and intelligently executed home plumbing adds a certain degree of convenience to modern living
• Modern plumbing has the capability to help communities in times of crises including water shortages and drought
• Water-saving devices can increase the efficiency of your water, while also decreasing the cost of your home’s energy.

Fun fact: On average, homeowners in the United States spend about $2200 annually on energy bills, and nearly half of that figure is spent on heating and cooling. This cost can be cut drastically with smart and energy efficient appliances. One thing is for sure: If your heating and cooling system is not controlling the temperature of your home effectively and at a reasonable cost, then it is probably time for you to replace it. There are many different options for heating and cooling systems, and we address them directly below.

If you’re looking for efficient heating options, the best ones are going to be central heating, water-based heaters and resistance baseboard heaters. While there are so many different options available for your heating system, these are the most highly recommended options:

• Furnaces
  Easily one of the most common options for household heating, furnaces heat air and distribute it by way of ducts. They typically run on gas, oil, propane or electricity. If a furnace has an Energy Star rating, it has a higher Annual Fuel Utilization (AFUE) rating, too, which is ideal.
• Boilers
  Another common way to heat a home, boilers can heat air through a coil, and they can also heat water and distribute it either as steam through pipes or as hot water through radiant floor systems or baseboard radiators. While steam boilers are typically less energy efficient than hot water boilers, either one may have Energy Star ratings, or a higher AFUE rating.
• Heat Pumps
  Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, making it quite different from other heating mechanisms on the list. There are two versions of heat pumps: electric air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) and geothermal heat pumps (GHPs). ASHPs cool and heat by using the difference in temperature between the indoor and outdoor air. On the other hand, GHPs use the ground instead of the air, and are by far and large one of the most efficient and effective systems on the market. This means they’ll be more expensive upfront, but the money it will save you in the long run is worth the initial expense.
• Solar
  Although not typically used as the primary source of heating in a home, active solar heating harness the power of the sun to heat either liquid or air, and makes for a great secondary heating system.
• Electric
  If electricity is the only option you have to heat your home, be prepared to invest a substantial amount of money to use electric resistant heating; this is one of the most expensive ways to generate heat. However, a heat pump is a viable and preferable choice for most people who face this dilemma.
• Wood and Pellet
  This option uses biomass or waste to heat your home. Be wary: wood and pellet burning could potentially emit air pollutants, so it is in your best interest to choose a system that is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Radiators
  Radiator systems deliver heat without the use of ducts. There are two different types of radiators: steam and hot water, where steam is a very old technology, and hot water systems are commonly used in newer homes.
• Radiant Heating
  This option is more efficient than using baseboard or force-air heating. Essentially, radiant heating transfers heat via panels that are on the floor, wall, or ceiling.
• Portable Heaters
  Although they are not anywhere near as efficient as central heating, portable heaters can at least help you save money when they are used appropriately.

Just as with heating, there are plenty of options for you to explore as it pertains to your cooling system. As a matter of fact, the U.S. Department of Energy supplies plenty of information on these systems, and they list air conditioning and swamp cooling as some of the most efficient and effective systems on the market. Alongside those options, these are are options more commonly used for a home cooling system:

• Ventilation and Fans
  Natural ventilation, like opening up the windows in your home, and using fans can certainly impact the cooling feel inside your home. However, these systems are best suited for the room they are located in, not for the entire house. For something that will take care of the house in its entirety, using a larger system – like an air conditioning system – will usually be the most conducive solution.
• Air Conditioning
  Using air conditioning in the home is a very common practice, and there are two practical systems that you can use: either central air conditioning or single air conditioners. Central air conditioning can be changed with one thermostat; however, a single air conditioner is not only likely located in each room of the house, but it has to be manually changed to whatever temperature you deem suitable. Air conditioning systems with Energy Star ratings, or higher SEER and EER ratings are easy to locate and particularly lucrative in the long run.
• Evaporative Cooling
  Also known as swamp cooling, evaporative cooling is very similar to air conditioning. The main difference is that evaporative cooling is much more energy efficient. This method of cooling is particularly utilized in dry climates.
• Radiant Cooling
  Generally, radiant cooling is only used in certain arid climates, and not unlike radiant heating, radiant cooling absorbs heat through floor or ceiling panels.