Americans live a privileged life and this is exactly why we take water for granted. It is not uncommon for you to keep the tap running as you brush your teeth or wash your hands. And continue to take long showers with uninterrupted water supply. But let’s not forget that 1 in 3 people do not have access to safe drinking water. Also even though 2/3 of our planet is covered with water, fresh water is one of the scarcest resources on Earth. And this is why we need to give water its fair share of attention.
There is no argument that long showers can relax you after a busy day at work but by making a conscious effort, we cannot only conserve this precious resource but can also cut down on the water bills. Here are X tips that you can try at home and save water.
Smart Usage
Did you know
- About two gallons of water flow from the faucet every minute?
- An average American spends 7.8 minutes in shower and uses up around 16 gallons of water?
This is a lot of water. Fortunately you can save it through smart usage.
Smart usage simply means “If you are not using it, turn it off”. While this is complete common sense, most people still do not practice this. If you are brushing your teeth, washing your hands, doing the dishes or scrubbing your body, you don’t need a constant supply of water. By bringing this small change in your habits, you can save a lot of water and bring about a big change in your environment.
Use the Dishwasher Only When it is Full
While it may be tempting to run your dishwasher as soon as you are done cooking but it is not a good idea. Because a half filled dishwasher uses the same quantity of water as a fully loaded one. So make sure you always run your once dishwasher it is completely full.
Cut Down Your Time in Shower
A long warm shower is a something you would dread after a long day at work. However, it is not always necessary. As mentioned earlier, an average American spends almost 8 minutes in the shower and uses up to 16 gallons of water. If you cut down your shower by one minute, you can end up saving almost 2 gallons of water in a day. This makes a total of almost 700 gallons in a year.
Check for Leaks
A leaky faucet that drips once every second can lead to a loss of more than 3,000 gallons a year. So if you have one or more leaks in your house, imagine the quantity of water you are wasting. Therefore it is extremely important that you keep a check for leaks in your home. In case there is a leakage in your faucets, pipes, sprinklers or appliances, make sure you contact a professional plumber who can repair the leaks and save water.
Upgrade Your Appliances
Every time you wash clothes in your washing machine, you are using up water. Old top loading washing machines use a lot more water compared to the new, efficient washing machines. So while an old washing machine can use up to 170 liters of water in a single load, new, more efficient washing machines only use up to 114 liters. Investing in a new washing machine might be expensive in the short-run but over the years, this investment will help you save on your water bills and help conserve the precious resource.
Smart Watering
Installing a timed sprinkler in your yard may be a convenient option, but it can result in a huge waste of water. A better approach is to water your yard through a water can. This way you will only water the areas of your yard that actually needs water. As a result, you will end up saving water.
Also when you are watering your yard, you can go for a more aggressive water technique. Using this method, you reduce the frequency of water cycles but every time you water the yards, make sure you water your plants enough.
Efficiently Wash Your Car
It is only common to wash your car with a hose but do you know that this simple car wash can use up to 100 gallons of water. And you can simply save this water by washing your car with a bucket and using sponge to clean it. By bringing about this little change in your car cleaning approach, you can actually save a lot of water in your home.
Keep Water Heaters in Good Shape
Water heaters are a critical appliance in our homes. Also they are more prone to wear and tear and have a high maintenance need. In case your water heater is not maintained, it takes longer for water to get heated. And as a result, you end up wasting a lot of water as you wait for warmer water. One possible way to avoid this wastage is to keep your water heaters maintained and in good shape. Simply by maintaining your water heaters, you can also save on your energy bills.
Final Words
Water is a precious resource and there is no reason why we should waste it. Unfortunately, many plumbing fixtures installed in your home could be a potential reason for water wastage in your home. By having more efficient plumbing fixtures installed in your home by a professional plumber, you can save on water. To know more about efficient plumbing fixtures and how to get them in your home, contact Mesa Plumbing now! Call at 480-832-1660.