Water Conservation Indoors
Your water bill may not be a massive concern to you compared to the various other bills you pay. But, learning how to manage your water can put you in a position of control. Your water bill will be lower than before, and you may save money in other ways as well. Here are some suggestions for water conservation indoors:
Appliances that use water
Dishwashers use the same amount of water, whether they are empty or full. If you run a full load, it will save you water and energy. A lot of the newer dishwasher models don’t need the dishes to be pre-rinsed, either. Educate yourself on how to load the dishwasher from the manual. This will give you the most out of each wash cycle. In addition to making the most out of each load, your dishes will end up cleaner, too. If the time has come to replace the dishwasher, think about an Energy-Star model.
If your washing machine has load side levels, use them if you only need to clean a small number of clothes. Using the second rinse isn’t frequently required, except for unique circumstances.
Choosing Energy Star appliances saves not only energy but also water, which is something to consider when you need a new machine. In the long run, the money saved from these appliances makes them a viable option.
Faucets
Make sure to turn the water off while you aren’t using it at the faucet, such as when you brush your teeth or shave. If you store cold water in the refrigerator, you won’t need to run it and wait for the water to ‘come out cool,’ which only occurs in the winter, anyway. If you have a hearing problem or lean on the forgetful side (or cohabitate with someone who is), a touch faucet is well worth your investment. Not only because it’s easy to turn it on and off in a fraction of a second, but also because there are models that turn off after four minutes of continual use for the kitchen or one minute for the bathroom.
In the shower
Contemplate your shower in terms of minutes to gallons. One minute will equate to 1000 gallons every year. If you run a ten-minute shower each day, that will add up to approximately ten thousand gallons per year. So, if you cut that down to a nine-minute shower, you’ll save about a thousand gallons per year.
That figure can be cut down by another third by installing a low flow showerhead. Low flow showerheads can lower your water usage by as much as 50%. This is one of the easiest ways you can save water, and ultimately, money.
Pro tip: Some people will use a dot of nail polish on the faucet and another one on the fixture to modify the dial to precisely the temperature with which they are comfortable. Doing this means not having to fiddle with the dial to get the desired temperature every day, which will also save money.
Additionally, have leaks repaired as soon as possible, including a running toilet (It can be tested with a little food coloring in the tank), and leaky faucets.
We hope that these suggestions will save you water and money. If you’re having plumbing issues that are costing you money, right now is the time to get those problems fixed. Call us, and we will come out and perform any necessary plumbing repairs or upgrades that you might have.
If you need honest and experienced professional plumbing services for residential and commercial plumbing needs in Las Vegas, Henderson, and Enterprise give us a call at 702-766-3320.
