Water conservation efforts are more important than ever. We collectively use more water than is being replenished in the ecosystem and the implication for future generations is a world with scarce resources. The consequence of water management is two-pronged: the direct water being used and the electricity it takes to generate water use. Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric has recommendations as to how we can all help in the fight to save life’s most essential resource right in our own homes.
Water-Efficient Toilets
Although there are ways to make your current toilet more water-efficient, like checking for leaks, a better choice would be to replace your toilet with an efficient one. Toilet flushing accounts for 12 percent of home water usage, according to Denver Water. One traditional toilet flush is equal to dumping up to 22 liters of drinkable water every day, according to TIME Magazine. Today’s water-efficient toilets bring water waste down to an impressive 1.28 gallons per flush compared to the 5 GPF in the past. Applewood plumbers who can install water-efficient toilets in your home and help you get started on your mission to conserve.
Hot Water Heaters
Another environmental impact of water usage is its energy footprint. Heating our water demands electricity and contributes to our water efficiency. Hot water heaters allow for comfortable water use in places like the shower or the kitchen. However, they can be inefficient and contribute to excess water use. The U.S. Department of Energy’s recent change in regulations require all manufacturers of water heaters to meet a high energy factor rating. One of the ways you can contribute to conservation efforts while cutting down your energy bill is ensuring your water heater meets these guidelines.
Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric recommends you book a consultation with one of their licensed plumbers who can answer questions about the new regulations, evaluate your current water heater and provide you with options.
Water-Efficient Shower-Heads and Faucets
We all love to stand in the massaging hot water for longer than we would admit. If you can’t resist those extra minutes in the shower, there other ways you can still contribute to saving in that context. Water-efficient shower-heads can save up to 32 percent of water usage compared to the everyday shower-heads found in most homes. Advanced new shower-heads feature 1.5 gallon per minute flow rate which allow you to still get the time you love in the shower while using much less.
Don’t Leave the Water Running
The most important, yet overlooked, tip to conserving is to shut off the water while you are not using it. Millions of people leave water running while brushing their teeth, rinsing dishes and washing their car. Simply turning off the water between tasks could save you a high water and energy bill and conserve hundreds of gallons of water at the same time.
Lawn Care
Finally, beyond the obvious spots in your home, we can conserve outside as well. Lawn care is one of the biggest contributors to water waste in the home. According to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power the California rebate program, which provides an incentive for those who replace their grass turf with landscapes that require little water, will save the state 47 million gallons of water each year. However, if replacing your lawn with a less thirsty landscape isn’t something you want to invest in, there are still tips and tricks you can implement to use less water while maintaining the beauty of your yard.
- Water your lawns deeply instead of frequently.
- Avoid watering during strong winds. Most of the water will probably just end up on your garage or your neighbor’s car.
- Water early in the morning when the temperature is cooler and the humidity is higher. This means the air is saturated with water and will allow it to stay on your lawn a bit longer.
- Mow your lawn at bigger height. Set your lawn mowers blades to the tallest setting as having a bit longer grass allows the water to stay cooler and soak in to the soil.
