We don’t need to be in a drought to know that saving water makes sense and saves money! The very first step is to make sure that your plumbing fixtures are installed correctly and there are no leaks. A dripping faucet or leaking toilet basin can be very costly over time. Also, consider installing energy-efficient appliances, which can save hundreds of gallons of water each month:
- Water-efficient Dishwasher – Saves 3 to 8 Gallons per Load
- Water-efficient Washing Machine – Saves up to 16 Gallons per Load
- High-efficiency Toilet – Saves 19 Gallons per person per day
Controlling water flow will save gallons of water every day. Install an aerator on your kitchen faucet to reduce flow to less than 1 gallon per minute, and install low-flow showerheads which save 2-3 Gallons for every shower taken.
Be mindful of the way you use water and develop better usage habits. For instance, not leaving the water running while brushing your teeth. Here are some other ideas which can help you save water:
- Soak dirty pans and dishes rather than running water while scraping them
- Don’t’ use water to thaw food, instead defrost in the refrigerator
- Instead of running water, plug the sink while shaving
And don’t just think ‘inside the box’… homeowners will find that a large percentage of their water usage is outdoors. Making landscaping choices which require less water is a great start. Here are some other outdoor ideas:
- Install a water-efficient drip irrigation system for trees and flower beds
- Creating a mulch layer around trees and plants will keep the soil cooler and reduce evaporation.
- Make sure sprinkler heads are adjusted to keep water off of paved areas and program them to go on at night. This will allow for deeper soaking with less evaporation and create a healthier landscape which will require less water.
Stop the Drop… Call Jerry’s Plumbing and Heating for all your water repair and installation needs!