Whether you’re concerned about the cost of your utility bills or want to conserve resources, simple changes will help you save money and use less water. Here are a few easy ways to save water at home.
Repair Leaks to Save Water at Home
Identifying leaks is one of the first things to do if you want to conserve water. Don’t ignore the dripping faucet or leaking toilet just because you don’t notice the water being used. The slowly dripping tap wastes up to 20 gallons of water each day, while a toilet leak wastes up to 200 gallons. Both of these can significantly affect your water bill. Repair leaky faucets and check the toilets in your home to make sure they are functioning properly and not using excess water.
Turn off the Tap
Gallons of water are wasted each time you leave the tap on unnecessarily. When washing your hands, use the water to dampen your hands and then turn it off. Lather up and turn the water on again to rinse. Use the same practice when brushing your teeth and shaving. Teach your family the same. On average, each member of your household will use about 100 gallons of water each day. Turning off the tap can save 4 gallons of water each time you wash your hands.
Repurpose Water
Look around your home for ways to reuse water. Repurpose the water you used to boil pasta to water plants after it’s cooled. Another great way to repurpose water is by installing a rain barrel beneath your gutter’s downspout. Collect the runoff and use it for your lawn and garden.
Use the Dishwasher to Save Water at Home
If you have a full load of dishes, it is more efficient to use the dishwasher to clean them. However, if there are only a few dirty dishes, wash them by hand to save water. Modern dishwashers are more energy-efficient than models from a decade ago. If your machine is older and you’re considering replacing it, you’ll save money on your power and water bills with a newer appliance.
When washing dishes in the sink, don’t let the faucet run the entire time. In a double-bowl sink, use one side for washing and the other for rinsing. Handwashing a sinkful of dishes can use as much as 20 gallons of water while a dishwasher uses 5-10 gallons per cycle.
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