Water Conservation Tips for Your Home

When you turn on the faucet at home, chances are water will come pouring out. It’s something that most of us take for granted, that there will always be clean, potable water ready for use. However, increasing population demands on water supply and rain shortages leading to drought situations can trigger water use restrictions. Taking steps to conserve the precious natural resource of water is a smart aspect of green living and can save money on your city water bill or give wells a chance to replenish groundwater supplies.

Taking steps to conserve water at home today can help ensure that we will have a viable supply for generations to come. There are many small, simple ways to save water at home. Here are a few eco-friendly, money saving tips:

Don’t Let Water Run

So many people let water run when washing dishes or brushing teeth. Just by shutting the faucet off and turning it on only when needed for rinsing, you can make an impact toward conserving water over time.

Fix All Leaks

Leaky pipes or dripping faucets mean money lost and water wasted. Examine plumbing for leaks or drips and fix them immediately. Even if a plumbing professional is needed, it will be worth the cost because you will be automatically conserving water and reducing your water bill.

Use the Dishwasher

This is good news for anyone who dreads doing dishes by hand. If you use an Energy Star rated, efficient dishwasher, you actually will use less water than if you hand washed all your dishes. If your washer isn’t energy efficient, consider investing in one when your dishwasher needs to be replaced. Any extra cost will be paid back in lower utility bills. Never run the dishwasher unless it is fully loaded in order to avoid wasting water. If you do wash dishes by hand, adjust the water stream so that it is not on full blast.

Get an Energy Efficient Washer

Clothes washers that are energy efficient also conserve much more water than traditional washers, saving up to 40%. Like with your dishwasher, never run the clothes washer with a partial load if you want to conserve water. Also, avoid the permanent press cycle, as it uses an additional five gallons of water for the extra rinse.

Install Low Flow Plumbing

Low flow shower heads or toilets are an instant investment for water conservation. They help to cut down how much water your family uses every time someone takes a shower or flushes the toilet. Low flow shower heads can cut your home’s water consumption by 30 percent and still provide sufficient pressure. If your toilet is less than 12 years old, it is probably already efficient, as the National Energy Policy Act of 1995 required new toilets to use 1.6 gallons of water or less for each flush. However, if your toilet is older, it could be using as many as seven gallons per flush.

Conserving water around the house isn’t difficult. It takes some effort, and the greatest savings in water usage and money requires an investment in energy efficient appliances or plumbing. However, any effort is well worth it to keep your water supply flowing and make your home environmentally friendly.