Has your water bill gotten out of control? Do you want to decrease your water footprint to help protect the environment? Whatever your reasons for wanting to conserve water, we have several ideas for you!
1. Sinks
By installing low-flow aerators on your faucets, you could save twice as much water as you would using conventional faucets.
2. Bathroom Faucet
While shaving or brushing your teeth, turn off the faucet. Only run the water to rinse.
3. Dishwasher
Before running your dishwasher, make sure you have a full load. Standard Energy Star-certified dishwashers are water efficient and cost only about $35 per year to run! On average, a new Energy Star dishwasher will save 3,870 gallons of water over its lifetime.
4. Faucet Leaks
A faucet that drips or leaks could be the reason for your high water bills. Read “Why Is My Faucet Leaking?” to learn several common reasons for this problem and how to fix it.
5. Showerheads
If your home was built before 1992 and you know the showerheads haven’t been updated since then, water could be flowing at a rate of up to 5.5 gallons per minute (gpm)! Standard showerheads today use 2.5 gpm, and those with the WaterSense label (that meet EPA’s specifications for water efficiency) use 2.0 gpm or less.
6. Washing Machine
Front-loading washing machines use less water than top-loading machines. If it’s time for an update, buy an Energy Star-certified model, which uses approximately 33% less water than standard models.
7. Car Wash
Instead of running water through the hose the entire time you’re washing your car, fill a bucket with soapy water, and use a rag or sponge to wipe down your vehicle. Then you can pull out the hose to rinse it afterwards.
8. Recycled Water
Save and reuse water whenever you can. For example, you could save the water used to rinse fruits and vegetables and reuse it to water the plants throughout your house. Another way to water plants and gardens without wasting water is by installing rain barrels.
9. Sprinkler System
If possible, put your sprinkler system on a timer so it doesn’t run longer than it needs to. Also make sure it’s watering the right areas and not wasting water (by spraying cement, for example). It’s best to water your lawn early in the morning during the hotter months so water doesn’t evaporate and dry up as quickly; it will take less water to get the job done in the morning than it will in the middle of the day when temperatures are at their highest.
10. Toilets
Does your toilet continue to run after flushing it? If it does, you could be wasting a lot of water. Your fill valve may need to be adjusted; the flapper chain could be too long; or a part could be worn out so it’s not creating an effective seal. Fixing a toilet that runs can be simple, but if you don’t know where to start or can’t get the leak to stop, call a plumber for help.
If you need plumbing services in the Roaring Fork Valley area, contact Pacific. We’d be happy to help!
