Leaking pipes, dripping faucets and lawn overwatering all impact our daily water use. To cut back on costly water bills, here are some tips on how to conserve water at home.
Monitor Indoor Water Usage
There are many things we can do to stop wasting water in our homes.
Fix leaks. Small household leaks can add up to gallons of water lost everyday. The EPA reports average household leaks can add up to nearly 10,000 gallons of wasted water annually. Common ones found in the home include worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets and leaking pipes. These can easily be repaired and can save homeowners about 10% on their water bills.
Overusing Bathroom Water. This is where over half of all water use in our home takes place. To cut back, turn off the tap while shaving or brushing teeth. Take showers – they use less water than baths. Remember to keep them short.
Cut Back in the Kitchen. When washing dishes by hand, plug the sink, or use a wash basin.
Scrape your plate instead of rinsing it before you put it in the dishwater. Run the dishwasher only when it’s fully loaded. Keep a pitcher of cold drinking water in the refrigerator. Thaw food in the fridge instead of running hot tap water to warm it up.
Laundry Room Savings. Wash only full loads of laundry, or reduce the load size on the washing machine. Don’t use warm or hot water to wash clothes. Set your washing machine to use cold water.
Outdoor Water Use
A lot of the water we use is wasted when we overwater our lawns and aim sprinklers toward our sidewalks and driveways. Here are some ways to cut back on outdoor water use and help our communities.
Drop the hose and sweep driveways, sidewalks and steps instead. Wash the car using a bucket of soap and water. Cover your swimming pool to reduce water evaporation. During the hot summer months, water your lawn in the early morning or evening. Also, inspect irrigation systems, fix leaks and repair broken or clogged sprinkler heads.
Conserve Water Resources
There are other ways you can help ease the burden on your local water supply. Collect rainwater in a rain barrel and use it for outdoor watering. Plant a rain garden to catch stormwater runoff from your roof and driveway. Check your water bill and monitor how much water you use. Ask your local government about a home water audit.
Save Water, Save Energy
It takes a lot of energy to deliver and treat the water we use daily for bathing, shaving, cooking and cleaning. Homes with electric water heaters spend one-quarter of their electric bill just to heat water. The best way to save both water and energy is to invest in water-efficient products.
Got Water Damage?
When it comes to water, flood or fire damage, Flood Department is here to help. We provide water damage repair and clean-up services for homeowners and businesses. We cover Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. We are dedicated to helping reverse the damage done by water, mold, sewage, smoke and more. Contact us at 301-829-2600 or visit us online.
Sources/Links
https://www.americanrivers.org/rivers/discover-your-river/top-10-ways-for-you-to-save-water-at-home/
https://www.epa.gov/watersense/start-saving
https://www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week
https://www.epa.gov/watersense/watersense-summer-infographic