10 Ways to Save Water At Home
Water is an essential resource. While seemingly abundant, water needs to be conserved, as it is also a finite resource. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American family wastes around 180 gallons of water a week.
Image by Katja Just from Pixabay
This is not just an issue of lowering your water utility costs, but conserving water is essential to reducing the amount of energy that’s required to treat it and, more importantly, ensuring that there’s enough to go around. To do your part, here are the 10 best ways you can help conserve water at home:
- Turn off the tap while brushing and shaving
Many people are guilty of doing this, so it’s time to put a stop to this habit. You can start by filling up a glass with water and dip your toothbrush in it before brushing. After you are done, rinse your mouth with the water and clean the brush head under the tap. If you are shaving, you can fill up a glass with warm water and soak your razor in it. Just think of the amount of water you can save if you keep the tap from running.
- Use your dishwasher for a full load
Using a dishwasher is proven to be more economical and less wasteful than washing by hand. However, be mindful of the amount of dishes you are opting to wash. On average, your dishwasher uses at least six gallons for just one cycle. You wouldn’t want to use that much water if you are cleaning just a few plates. To make the most of each cycle and the water used, ensure the washer is full when you run it. Do the same when you are washing your clothes. Instead of washing small batches, go for a full load to save water as well as detergent.
- Opt for Energy Star appliances
Older water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers waste more water. It might cost you more up front to replace these with upgraded models, but the massive (both monetary and energy) savings you can get is worth every cent. Look for appliances that are Energy Star certified. For washing machines, opt for models that have a low water factor since these use less water for every cycle. Energy Star dishwashers, on the other hand, use four gallons of water compared to non-certified models that use six gallons, on average.
- Maximize your sprinkler system
Sprinkling your lawn with a small amount of water can be wasteful since water evaporates quickly under hot conditions. Instead, you can use as much water as needed in one sitting so you won’t have to turn your sprinklers on every day. You can use your sprinklers again if the grass doesn’t spring back up when you step on it. Also, water plants and lawns in the early morning or evening, not in the heat of the day, as the sun evaporates the water quickly on a hot, sunny day.
- Consider a water-saving bidet
A bidet sprayer allows for a cleaner experience each time you visit the bathroom. It is also more eco-friendly since you buy significantly less toilet paper. Even so, you still need to make sure you are using less water through the sprayer. In some cases, you could consider biodegradable wipes to reduce your bidet usage. Look towards products such as DUDE Wipes that are made from plant fibers for a more thorough yet eco-friendly cleaning.
- Check for leaks
Damages to your plumbing not only decreases the value of your home and increases your water bills, but it also wastes a large amount of water if you don’t get to repair them right away. A dripping faucet or a small leak might seem inconsequential, but think about all the accumulated water wastage you can get in just one year. For this reason, make it a habit to check your piping and see if your faucets are leaking by drying out your sinks. If you see small droplets, consider replacing or repairing your faucets.
- Replace your shower heads
Showering is the third largest consumer of water at home. At most, you could use up two gallons each minute. To reduce the amount of water that flows through the shower, opt for a low flow shower head. You can also maximize water savings by reducing the time you spend showering, and turning the water off while you’re soaping up or shaving.
- Recycle water for plants
There are many uses for leftover water, and one of these is watering flowers and plants. If you are washing fruits and other food items, you can collect the water you used in a basin and use this in your garden.
- Keep track of your water bill
The best way to know if you are consuming too much water is by checking your monthly bill. On average, Americans pay as much as $70 each month on water utilities. If you see that your recent bill is going beyond this number, consider adjusting your habits and adopt water-saving measures that are listed here. From there, you can reap the benefits of a lower monthly water bill.
- Teach everyone at home the importance of water conservation
Saving water at home isn’t a single person’s responsibility. Get everyone involved if you want to make positive changes in the way you consume water. Start by setting some ground rules and teaching the kids how to be aware of the amount of water they consume.
There’s a lot you can do to save water and it all starts at home. Do your part in conserving this precious resource and helping to create a world where there is enough fresh and drinkable water to go around!
Get the Green Living Ideas book in softcover or PDF for as low as $2.99!
About the Author
Sponsored Content GreenLivingIdeas and our parent company, Important Media, occasionally choose to work with select clients for paid promotion on our network sites. This is the account for all paid content. For information about paid outreach, please contact our Accounts Manager Andrea Bertoli.
