Simple Ways to Save Water
Are you interested in conserving water? In addition to saving money on your utility bills, using less water also helps the environment. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy and affordable ways to conserve water.
Find and Fix Leaks
Image via Flickr by jronaldlee
When a leak goes undetected for a long period of time, it can cause a huge amount of water to be used. In fact, a small drip can waste up to 20 gallons of water per day.
Take a look at your pipes and faucets to identify any possible leaks. You may be able to fix some simple leaks on your own. However, there may be hidden leaks, as well, so call a company like Bruce Thornton Air Conditioning to do a thorough review of all of your plumbing. This is the best way to ensure that you’re not wasting water due to a leak in an unseen area.
Upgrade Your Appliances
If your home has older plumbing, a few changes could help you to save significant amounts of water on a daily basis. Here are a few of the upgrades you may want to consider:
- Toilets: Newer, more efficient toilets are designed to hold less water in the tank. Choose a toilet with dual flushing modes so you can opt to use more water to flush only when necessary.
- Water heater: A tankless water heater helps to ensure that you only use the water that you need, as opposed to conventional water heaters that keep heating water sitting in the tank.
- Dishwasher and washing machine: Look for Energy Star-rated dishwashers and washing machines with economy settings to use less water with every cycle.
Install Low-Flow Shower Heads and Faucets
Another effective and affordable way to conserve water at home is to make sure your running water is dispensed at a slower rate. Low-flow shower heads still allow for plenty of water for a refreshing shower, but you’ll use significantly less water. You can also install a low-flow sink faucet or a high-efficiency faucet aerator. Simply adding an aerator can reduce your faucet’s water flow by 30% or more. These changes take just minutes to complete and typically do not require professional assistance, so they’re the perfect DIY task for savvy homeowners.
Avoid Over-Watering Your Lawn
Having a lush lawn is a point of pride for many homeowners, but it doesn’t have to require daily watering. In fact, over-watering the lawn could actually damage the grass, so be careful not to run the sprinklers or the hose too often. Most lawns only need about an inch of water a week, so giving your grass a good soak once weekly during the drier times of the year should be sufficient. You can also consider adding more landscaping features that require less or no water, such as gravel, stones, pavers, succulents, and drought-tolerant grasses and plants.
Use these tips to reduce your water usage. You’ll enjoy lower energy bills and reduced environmental strain with just a few simple changes.
