October 6, 2012

Tips on Saving Water at Home

Some simple fix-its can save volumes

What seems like a minor leak may surprise you in the amount of water and energy lost. Some simple fixes can really save water at home & add up to some major savings. For example:

• Fix a leaky faucet, save 20 gallons a day
• Fix a leaky toilet, save 30 gallons a day
• Replace an old toilet with a low flush toilet, save 40.5 gallons a day
• Repair an outdoor pipe leak or broken sprinkler head, save 20 gallons a day
• Repair a leak around the pool or spa pumps, save 20 gallons a day

Obviously, those gallons add up over the year. A 1/32 inch size leak wastes 73,992 gallons a year; 1/8 inch wastes over a million gallons Leaky faucets are typically caused by worn washers or “O” rings. For something that basic, you may want to pull out the do-it-yourself book and attempt the fix yourself. Or, if you want to save time while you’re confident it’s done right, just call Applewood.

You might even combine it with an overall plumbing inspection while we’re there, which may save major costs down the road in preventative maintenance.

Leaky Toilets

Your leaky toilet may be a simple fix too, if you’re mechanically inclined. However, it often indicates you need a new toilet. In fact, if your toilet is ten or fifteen years old, you’re probably better off replacing it with an efficient low-flow toilet. You can save over five gallons per flush, so the savings add up quickly. Also, you’ll get a better flush with a pressurized model. You can conserve even more water with a dual flush toilet. It has two flush settings, one for solids and one for liquids. Incidentally, if you avoid using the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket, you can save 400 to 600 gallons per month.

Shower heads

Simply replacing your shower head with a new efficient model drastically cuts water consumption from 500 to 800 gallons per month, while you still enjoy excellent shower power. Current energy guidelines recommend a 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM) rating. Placing aerators on three kitchen and bath fixtures saves 14 gallons a day, while retaining excellent water pressure. Is the garden hose leaking? Seal the connection threads with thread tape. If it’s the hose itself that’s leaking, wrap it with sealing tape. By implementing these simple ideas, you’ll be saving you and your community hundreds, possibly thousands of gallons each year.

Imagine if everyone else implemented these ideas as well. You might want to share this article with your neighbors. One more extra bonus when you fix those leaks – you’ll hear no more annoying drip drip drip!