Did you know that the average household uses upwards of 60 gallons of water per person, per day? That’s a lot of liquid—and a lot of wastage. The good news is that there are easy ways to reduce how much water you’re using (and wasting), which can result in significant savings on your water bill. Here are five places in your home that you can start reducing your water usage.
In Your Bathroom
Over half the water use in your home takes place in your bathroom. You can reduce that with a few small changes in personal use. For example, if you run the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving, simply turning it off could save you gallons a year. Also, although a little self-care with a relaxing bath can be nice once in a while, stick with quick showers for your daily routine. (Keep in mind, the longer the shower, the greater the wastage.) Finally, consider investing in a small tankless water heater for your bathroom—they don’t require a full boiler, and they’re optimized for maximum energy efficiency.
In Your Kitchen
You’d be surprised at how easy it is to waste water with just simple kitchen chores, like the dishes. If you have a dishwasher, use it! It uses less water than washing by hand, but only if it’s full, so avoid running half loads if you don’t need to. Most newer models also offer an energy-efficient or eco-friendly cycle for added savings. If you wash dishes by hand, plug up your basin and use a single sink full of water; it’ll use much less than letting the water run while you scrub. Another way to do it is to rinse all your dishes, turn off the water, soap them all, and then rinse them off. This way you’re not letting the water run while you spend time soaping each dish. You can also save water by keeping a pitcher of cool drinking water in the fridge, so you don’t wait for the tap to run cool.
In the Laundry Room
The best way to make sure you’re saving on water wastage in the laundry room is to always wash a full load and choose the appropriate water level for your wash. You can also double-up on energy savings by always washing with cold water. If you’re worried about getting your clothes clean enough, consider investing in the CleanStart Laundry System. It works by turning ordinary cold water into a powerful cleaning agent by injecting a controlled amount of ozone. It’s compatible with almost every washing machine and results in clean, fresh-smelling laundry every time without having to rely on hot water or strong detergents and bleaches.
In the Great Outdoors
If you have a backyard and/or garden, you know how important it is to keep everything fresh and watered. Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest spots for water wastage. Consider designing your outdoor space with water flow and irrigation in mind to reduce the loss of water to evaporation and drainage. It’s also worth checking on your sprinkler system, hoses, and attachments to ensure that everything is properly fit and working correctly. Even if you aren’t looking after a lawn or backyard, reconsider hosing down that front walk or driveway—sweeping it instead will keep your water usage much lower.
At the Source
Even a small leak in your home can add up to gallons of water lost per day, oftentimes without you even realizing it. Take some time to have a close look at your household plumbing and use caulking to patch up any leaks that you find. Take a look at your water heater, too. Older models aren’t optimized for efficiency and could be wasting water (not to mention energy). Newer models of hot water heaters are designed with not only effectiveness in mind but also energy-efficiency and reduced water wastage. There’s also the option of a tankless water heater, which heats water on-demand instead of storing hot water in a tank. Not sure where to start? The home comfort experts at Simply Green Home Services can answer any questions you might have about finding the right products for your home. Get in touch with us today!
