Just like a lot of other homeowners, you’ve probably spent time wondering, “how can we save water?” or “why do we waste so much water every month?”
Whether you’re looking to help the environment or just hoping to save a little extra money on your water bill, this is a topic that remains on the mind of many.
The average American household of four uses about 400 gallons of water per day.
To put that into perspective, if you drink an average of 8 glasses of water a day, that means the average American household uses enough water to drink for up to 800 days! So you can see why saving water is so important.
Imagine how much water and money you can save over the course of a month if you took some additional action to conserve. To help get started, we came up with 4 water-saving tips that we suggest to keep your water bill down and save gallons a day.
Turn Off the Tap!
This is the one piece of advice anyone looking to save water already knows about. Whether brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, or even just washing your hands, turning off the tap can make a significant difference. But do you know how much is actually saved by turning off the tap?
Water comes out of the average faucet at 2.2 gallons per minute. This may not sound like a lot to some people but when you think about it, it really is.
To go back to the drinking water analogy, this means you waste about 4.5 days of drinking water each minute the sink stays running. That’s a lot of wasted water. Not to mention the amount of money that’s also going down the drain.
Put an end to all that wasted water by being mindful of the situation. When doing dishes, for example, fill up both sides of your sink with warm water. Use one side to soak your dishes and wash any food residue off.
Then, use the other side to rinse all the soap off to avoid using any more running water.
Similarly, when taking a shower, shut the water off while you clean yourself. For every minute the water runs, you lose about 2.5 gallons per minute. That means a 10-minute shower uses about 25 gallons of water.
These changes alone can save your home gallons of water each day.
Fix Any Current Leaks and Keep An Eye On Your Water Bill to Spot Any New Leaks
At first, a leaking faucet may not seem like it wastes too much water, but even the smallest leaks — such as a general faucet drip — can waste up to 5 gallons of water a day.
If that same faucet leak goes untreated for a year, it becomes roughly 2,082 gallons of wasted water per year.
Also, be aware of any sudden spikes in your water bill. If you notice a sudden rise, there’s a good chance that a leak is a culprit.
Since it is so common that household leaks go untreated for such a long time, we suggest placing a 5-gallon bucket or a large bowl under the sink to collect all the extra drops.
That way, the built-up collection can go toward flushing the toilet or even water any plants you may have around the house; anything useful that will conserve as much water as possible.
If you can’t find the leak yourself, or if it’s a bigger fix than you expected, call one of our specially trained plumbers at About Plumbing Inc. to fix your leaky faucet or repair any other water leaks you may have.
With special training in their field and up-to-date knowledge of any new trends in the industry, each of our technicians has what it takes to provide a quick and cost-efficient solution to your problem.
Take Shorter Showers
This may seem like another no-brainer that you’ve probably heard about thousands of times. But as mentioned earlier, a 10-minute shower uses approximately 20-25 gallons of water. Conventional showerheads typically flow at around 2.5 gallons per minute, with some more powerful ones
Cut down on water use in the shower by turning off the water while soaping up. Only turn it back on when it’s time to rinse.
You can also install a simple shower timer to limit just how much time you actually spend in there. Or use a radio or your phone to listen to music while you shower.
Playing a song can be a good time to develop a sense of time and see just how long you are spending in there. At best, aspire to only be in the shower for a single song. Imagine how many gallons cut off your total daily water usage.
Choose Efficient Fixtures
Your dream faucet or roomy washer may not always be getting you the best deal on savings. Sure, they just so happen to be the ones you ultimately wanted, but if you’re looking to save money, it might be wiser to invest in more water-efficient appliances and fixtures.
Investments such as buying a faucet with a built-in aerator, switching to a low-flow toilet, choosing efficient shower heads, and opting for energy-star-certified appliances such as a dishwasher or washing machine, can add up to some major savings on your next water bill.
For example, energy star-certified dishwashers use 12% less energy than a normal dishwasher, and energy star-certified washers use 55% less water than a standard washing machine.
Of course, the thought of getting all-new fixtures, and the hassle of installation can be overwhelming. At About Plumbing, our specialists are well-trained in installation and repair for any of the water fixtures you may purchase. Before you know it, we’ll have your new fixtures installed, and you can effortlessly begin saving water.
Start Saving
Now that you know some efficient ways to save water around the house, expect the savings to come flowing in. Not to mention the amount of water you’ll be conserving for the environment as well. If any issues or concerns come up when installing or fixing any fixtures or leaks, call us at About Plumbing Inc. to assist you, and provide a quick and easy solution for it all.
Related Articles
Common Sewer Line Problems in Arnold, MO
What Water Heater to Buy for Your Home
How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink
