With the intense heat of summer just around the corner, now is a great time to start looking at your home’s water usage and plan on ways to decrease – rather than increase – your overall consumption.
1. Fixtures: Low-flow toilets, efficient shower-heads, and aerating your faucets is an effective (and important) way to reduce your overall water consumption. Curious what that means? Well, a high-efficiency aerator can reduce water flow by 1.5 gallons per minute!
2. Appliances: If you have older appliances, you may consider upgrading to an energy-star certified model. Specifically, look for a an appliance with a low water factor or one with a high rated water efficiency.
3. Plan Your Garden: Fill your garden with plants and flowers that thrive in your natural climate. And, when watering is necessary, always water early in the morning so less water will evaporate. And if you really want to reduce your outdoor water usage, consider installing a rain barrel or using leftover kitchen and cooking water for yard maintenance.
4. Be Proactive: If you use less of the items that require washing, you in turn will reduce the overall amount of water you consume. For example, ask that each family member only use one cup per day and don’t place clothes in the laundry unless they truly are dirty. Likewise, don’t run your dishwasher or washing machine until you have a full load. And if you are washing a lot of dishes by hand, fill the sink with water rather than letting the water run.
5. Monitor Your Bill: Lastly, one of the best ways to spot a leak is with your water bill. Since your water bill likely remains consistent month-to-month, a spike in cost/usage could indicate a leak.