When every penny counts, it is wise to look for every opportunity to conserve the resources at your disposal. One of the ways to do that is by reducing water waste. Here are some easy water-saving tips recommended by the experienced plumbers at Turek’s Plumbing Services, a plumbing company in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Whole-House Water Conservation
According to the EPA (Environment Protection Agency), the average American home loses about 10,000 gallons of water each year to dripping faucets, pipe leaks and constantly running toilets.
Fox Valley plumbers say this is literally money down the drain, so your water conservation efforts should begin by addressing these issues. The best way to fix leaks, constantly running toilets and other plumbing system problems that waste water is by asking a plumber to perform annual maintenance on the plumbing system.
The professional will identify all the leaks and repair them so that you can stop losing water and money on a daily basis.
Water Conservation In The Bathroom
More than half of all the water used in your home is used in the bathroom. Read that again, and let it sink in. The greatest water waste reduction dividends are therefore likely to be registered when you pay attention to the way you use water in your bathroom.
For starters, upgrading to the latest low-flow toilets can save you up to 20% of the water you currently use, according to Headwaters Construction Inc., a commercial renovation contractor. These savings will increase even further if you get a dual flush toilet so that you can use less water when flushing liquid waste and a little more water when flushing solids.
Rather than take a bath, opt for a short shower in order to reduce your water waste. While at it, a low-flow showerhead recommended by your Fox Valley plumber will cut your water use by half.
It is also a good habit to turn the faucet off while you shave or brush. Train your family members to adopt this habit as well so that you all work as a team to reduce water waste.
Water Conservation In The Kitchen
According to Appleton, WI kitchen remodel experts, washing dishes by hand uses a lot more water than using the dishwasher. It is therefore prudent for you to wait and run a full load in the dishwasher instead of a few dishes at a time.
Additionally, dishwashers have become so efficient and effective that you no longer need to pre-rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. The water you use to pre-rinse will have been wasted.
In contrast, scraping off food particles from plates and dishes before putting them in the dishwasher will conserve water.
While on the subject of scraping dishes, put the scraps on your compost heap instead of dumping them in the garbage disposal says Sacramento, CA plumbing company, Gilmore Heating, Air, & Plumbing. Appleton plumbers say this will save the water that would have been used to clear the garbage disposal of these food scraps.
Saving Water In Your Lawn Or Garden
You also need to shine a light on how you use water outdoors if you are to plug all the points at which water is wasted.
For example, at what time do you water your garden or lawn? Any Fox Valley plumber you ask will tell you that it is best to water gardens or lawns early in the morning or late in the afternoon to save water since minimal evaporation will take place at that time.
Our friends at McQuillan Bros, an HVAC, and plumbing company in Minnesota, recommend aerating the lawn periodically so that more water can be soaked up instead of running off each time it rains or you water that lawn. In this way, you will reduce the amount of water needed to keep the garden or lawn thriving.
You can also start harvesting rain water in a rain barrel or any other available receptacle. This water can be used to water the lawn and your garden, thereby reducing your water bill. Your plants and grass will thrive as you give them this rainwater that is free from chlorine. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
Saving water starts with knowing all the ways in which you have been wasting water on your property. Contact Turek’s Plumbing to perform a water use audit in your home. Our experienced plumbers will then recommend all the cost-effective ways through which you can reduce water waste and keep water bills affordable. Give us a call today!