Best Ways to Save Water and Money
Water, the essential source for life. But whether we are connected to a public water source or use our own well, the quantity and quality of our water is threatened by urban sprawl, pollution and increasing consumption. The cost of clean water is also going up. Fortunately, this is a problem with affordable solutions.
The average person in the US uses 25,550 gallons of water a year inside the home. The average household can save up to 30% of its annual water usage by focusing on 5 areas of the home: the toilets, leaks, washers, shower heads and faucets.
These water conservation strategies are a way for your household to save more and conserve a valuable earth resource.
- Toilets
More water can be saved at the toilet than any other area of the home. You can save up to 52% of the 7,045 gallons of water the average person flushes down the toilet each year. -
Reduce flush quantity. Place a plastic 1 or 2-liter jug of water in the tank of each toilet in the house. This will decrease the quantity of water that enters the bowl, saving 1 to 2 liters with every flush.
Check your toilets for leaks. Drop a little food coloring into the tank. If the color appears in the bowl, you have a leak. You can fix it yourself, call a plumber or consider it an opportunity to replace the toilet with one of the many high-efficiency ones available. Most often the repair is as simple as replacing the flapper and flush ball. Most models that come standard in toilets are cheap and are designed with planned to last only about 2 years under perfect circumstances. If your choose to repair and replace those parts, consider a more durable one that may cost a little more.
- Leaks
Finding and fixing leaks is the second most efficient way to save water in your home. Every year you can save 50 percent or more of the 3,431 gallons of water per person that is lost to leaks. -
Zero-read your meter. Discover how much water you're leaking by zero-reading your meter. Turn off all water in your home. Take a reading of the right tow digits on your water meter. Wait at least 30 minutes and then take a second reading. If there is movement on the meter you have a leak.
Check other leak sources. Leaky toilets, faucets, dishwashers and washers can be obvious water wasters but for other leaks you may need to contact a repair person or your local water authorities. Once the source is determined, hit the books and repair it yourself or contact your repair person.
- Clothes Washers
The average person uses 6,132 gallons of water a year to clean clothes. With these tips you can save 30% of that water. -
Adjust level. Adjust the water level to match the size of the load you are washing. Wash only full loads if your machine only has one setting.
Switch to a front load. If you have an agitator-type washing machine, consider replacing it (when the proper time comes) with the high-efficiency front loading model. They use 40-45 % less water and energy.
- Shower Heads
You can save up to 16% of the 4,818 gallons of water used by each person annually in the shower.Low-flow saves. A family of four can save 3,000 or more gallons of water per year just by installing low-flow showerheads. A standard showerhead uses 4.5 gallons per minute where a low-flow showerhead uses only 2.5 gallons per minute. The average cost of a low-flow showerhead is $5-20 and is easy to install.
Take shorter showers.
Cut-offs for temperatures. Install a showerhead with a cut-off device that allows you to turn the water on and off as you shower without affecting your water temperature.
- Water Faucets
While many water conservation strategies focus on the 4,161 gallons of water used per person each year at our home's faucet, the average water savings to be found at the sink is only 2% of the typical amount used. Here are a few tips to squeeze out those savings. - Water Faucets
Install faucet aerators on your sinks. They break the flow of water into fine droplets and infuse air into the water stream. Aerators are inexpensive and easy to install and can reduce water use while maintaining a strong water flow. They can save you 1/2 gallon per minute.
Examine the way you work at the sink. Don't let the water run while you are washing, shaving or brushing your teeth. Use a basin for washing vegetables.