Water is a precious resource, yet we often take it for granted. Because of this, we use far more water than necessary – the average American family uses over 300 gallons of water per day! This can have a major impact on our wallets and also places strain on local infrastructure, as well as depleting natural resources and damaging the environment.
That’s why I’m going to share with you my top tips for saving water in your home: from simple actions that save drops here and there to more involved projects like updating your appliances or installing gadgets such as greywater recycling systems.
Turn Off That Tap When Brushing Your Teeth
Turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth. This is one of the simplest ways to save water in your home, but it can make a big difference. If you have children or roommates who may forget, put a reminder on the bathroom door or buy some stickers that say “turn off the tap when brushing teeth.”
Use a water efficient toilet. Most toilets use anywhere from 6 gallons per flush up to 13 gallons per flush! You can find toilets that only use 1 gallon for every flush, which makes them much more effective and better for our environment, too!
Use A Watering Can To Water Your Garden – Not The Hose!
You can use a water-smart tool to help you save water and save money. One of the best ways to do this is by using watering cans instead of hoses or sprinklers.
Watering cans are more efficient because they deliver water directly to the roots of your plants, which saves energy and money on your water bill. They also result in less waste than using a hose pipe, since there’s no risk of soaking your lawn with excess water when it rains heavily.
You don’t need much space for this method, either; many homeowners who live in apartments keep a window box (or several) full of potted plants that they want watered regularly throughout the summer season. These window boxes are typically small enough so as not to take up too much room, but large enough that watering them becomes cumbersome when done by hand with a watering can every few days.
Take Shorter Showers – Or Opt For Water Efficient Shower Heads
Showers account for around 17% of residential indoor water use, so it’s important to be mindful of how much water you’re using each time you step in. One way to do this is by shortening your showers. If you typically spend 30 minutes in the shower, see if you can cut it down to 20 or even 10 minutes.
Another way to save water (and money) in the shower is by installing a water-efficient shower head. These types of shower heads typically use less than 2 gallons of water per minute, which can save you up to 700 gallons of water per year! You can find these shower heads at most hardware stores, and they’re relatively easy to install yourself.
Finally, if you have a bathtub, try to avoid taking baths altogether. Baths use around 30 gallons of water on average, whereas showers only use 10-25 gallons (depending on the shower head). So, if you’re looking to save water, it’s best to stick to showers.
Fix Any Dripping Taps
Fix any dripping taps. A dripping tap can waste up to 200 litres of water per month, or more than 20 percent of the average household’s use. And that’s not all: fixing a leaking faucet will save you money and time.
According to Fix-a-Leak Week, the cost of repairing a minor leak is just $3 or $4 (or less if you have a friend who is handy with tools). But it could also prevent expensive plumbing repairs in the future: Fixing one major leak could save $100 — and even more if there are multiple leaks in your home.
Only Operate Your Washing Machine & Dishwasher With Full Loads
One of the easiest ways to save water and energy is to only run your washing machine or dishwasher with full loads. This will save you about 20% of your energy bill, and it can also help you avoid wasting water because you won’t be running an empty load. You should also be sure to turn off these appliances when not in use.
If you are going to wash clothes or dishes by hand, remember that using warm water instead of hot will reduce energy costs and help prevent scalding injuries from hot water splashes while doing laundry or dishes (and if some areas of the U.S. experience cold winters where this is an issue). Also use cold water for rinsing items like pasta, so they will drain faster without needing additional rinses at higher temperatures — this saves both time and money.
When Replacing Electrical Appliances, Opt For Energy Efficient Models
When replacing household appliances, check the water efficiency guide to make sure you purchase the most efficient model. Water efficiency labels are a good guide to water efficiency and help you choose products that will save you money and conserve resources.
You can find these water efficiency labels on many appliances, including washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators and toilets. The label provides information about how much water is used by different models and how long they take to perform various tasks.
It’s important to remember that the amount of energy required for a task may vary depending on climate conditions (such as humidity), machine settings and use patterns in your home.
When shopping for new appliances: Look for an Energy Star® label – it means that the appliance consumes less energy than similar models without this label. Also, check whether any rebates are available through your utility company or local government.
Collect Rainwater In Buckets or Barrels For Washing Your Car
Collecting rainwater is one of the easiest ways to save water in your home. The best way to collect rainwater is with a rain barrel, which collects water that falls on the roof of a house and then stores it in a large container for future use.
Rain barrels come in different shapes, sizes and materials, including plastic or metal. The larger ones can hold up to 50 gallons (190 liters) of water! Rain barrels are great for watering plants around your house or garden, or even cleaning cars.
There are many ways to save water in your home. Some of the most effective ways to save water include: taking shorter showers, fixing any dripping taps, only operating your washing machine and dishwasher with full loads, and replacing old electrical appliances with energy efficient models. By following these tips, you can save water and money.
