Water Conservation Tips
New innovation in water-efficient products are making conservation easier for homeowners; the EPA's WaterSense program identifies these products, which use at least 20% less water than similar items.
It doesn't take a house full of new fixtures and appliances to save water; there are hundreds of ways, big and small, to save water at home; not only do they save water and money, but most are very inexpensive or free to implement!
Here is a small list of ideas to help you save water around your house. Many of these suggestions have been floating around (pun intended) for quite awhile, but make so much sense they bear repeating.
Water Conservation Tips - Saving Water In The Home
The Bathroom: Most of a typical family's water usage takes place in the bathroom. Luckily, some simple steps can lead to dramatic savings.
Water Conservation Tips - The Toilet
- Older toilets can use as much as seven gallons of water per flush! Newer designs use much less; install low-flow toilets that use 1.6 gallons per flush or less. Some models use as little as 1.28 gpf, or have a 'dual-flush' mode that can use as little as half a gallon for a liquids-only flush.
- If you can't replace an older toilet, place a plastic bottle filled with water and some gravel in your toilet's tank. It will displace water so less is needed to fill the tank. Make sure not to jam the flush mechanism.
- Fix leaks: Leaky flapper valves can waste 100 gallons of water a day. Test your toilet by placing 10 drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. If colored water appears in the bowl after 15 minutes, the valve is leaking and needs to be replaced.
- Don't flush every time. The 'If it's yellow, let it mellow" technique saves water by flushing only after using the toilet several times. Not recommended if you're visiting somebody else's house or if you have guests at yours!
Water Conservation Tips - The Shower and Bath
Americans love long, hot showers. At least the Americans living in my house do. To save water while bathing, consider the following:
- Install a low-flow showerhead: Typical showerheads use 3.2 gallons per minute. Low-flow models use 2.5 gpm, down to as low as 1.28 gpm. That difference is big enough to pay for the new showerhead within a year, and save hundreds of dollars a year afterwards.
- Install a showerhead with a stop valve or simply turn off the water while soaping and shampooing. This 'Navy-style' shower leads to big savings.
- Take shorter showers: Shortening your shower, even by just a minute or two, can save up to 600 gallons of water per month. There are timers on the market that will shut the water flow down or off automatically after a set amount of time.
- Showers vs. Baths: Showers usually use much less water than baths. If you do take a bath, lower the water level by an inch or two to save up to 10 gallons per bath.
- If you have to run the water for a while until it gets hot, have a bucket handy to fill up with this water; otherwise it's wasted right down the drain. This water is great for watering house or garden plants.
Water Conservation Tips - The Sink
- Install low-flow faucet aerators
- Turn off the water while brushing teeth or washing your hands or face, then turn it back on to rinse.
- While shaving, fill the sink with a little water to rinse your razor instead of running the water continually.
Water Conservation Tips - The Kitchen
- Use the dishwasher instead of washing by hand; it uses less water.
- Run the dishwasher ONLY when it's full. Older units can use up to 25 gallons per cycle. Newer Energy Star units are more efficient, with some using as little as 5 gpm.
Water Conservation Tips - The Laundry
- Run the washing machine only with full loads. Running fewer small loads obviously uses more water. Washing with cold water saves heating costs as well.
- Replace older washers with high-efficiency front-loading washers that use 60 to 70% less water than older top-loading units.
Always check for and fix leaky faucets throughout the home; even small leaks can add up to huge water waste. These are just a few ways to save water in the house; use your imagination and creativity to come up with some unique ideas of your own!
For additional water conservation tips for the landscape, be sure to visit our website: Green Home Landscape Source.
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