The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water a day at home, according to the EPA WaterSense program. That is over 100,000 gallons a year, and a good share of it can be conserved with better habits and more efficient fixtures.
Follow the tips below to cut what your household wastes.
5 daily water consumption habits you can change to make a big impact.
Sometimes it is the littlest things that make the biggest impact, and the same can be said of the water consumption that you can change on a daily basis. Here is a list of 5 habits you can change:
#1 - Check for Leaks
Household leaks waste nearly 10,000 gallons a year in the average home, according to the EPA WaterSense program, and you pay for every gallon. Book non-invasive leak detection with True Plumbers & AC and we will find it without opening walls. If you want to check first, start with these early leak detection tips and the signs that you may have a water leak.
Small leaks are usually a quick repair. Larger ones, especially a line running under the concrete, are a different matter, and slab leak repair is where those go. A pinhole in an accessible line is often fixable without replacement, as covered in fixing a leaky pipe without replacing it. If you have to start somewhere with checking water usage in your home, leak detection is a great start.
#2 - Insulate Your Water Pipes
Insulating your hot water pipes with foam insulation can make a real difference to your bill. The insulation keeps the water hot longer, so less runs down the drain while you wait. Setting the tank correctly helps too, and what temperature your water heater should be set at explains where to land. A tankless water heater removes the standby loss entirely.
#3 - Use a Pitcher for Drinking Water
Keep a pitcher of drinker water in your fridge to reduce running water until it cools. A pitcher allows you to fill it at any temperature and cool it in the refrigerator. This reduces water waste.
#4 - Utilize Your Dishwasher Properly
When homeowners use their dishwashers properly, they actually conserve water. Make sure the dishwasher is full before using it and only run it on water-saving settings. If you have to hand wash dishes, fill one side of the sink with soapy water and the other with clean water to keep from constantly running the faucet.
#5 - Avoid Running Bathroom Faucets Unnecessarily
Keep the water off while you are brushing your teeth and only use it to rinse when you are finished. Fill the sink when you are shaving so you have a spot to rinse the razor without constantly running the faucet. A dripping tap undoes all of it, so get faucet repair done rather than living with it. There are more of these in the ways your bathroom could be costing you money.
Upgrade to Appliances That Have Energy Star Ratings & Environmental Protection Agency Water Sense Labels.
Not all homeowners have the option for upgrading appliances to conserve water and energy. However, if you get the opportunity to upgrade, be sure to check the labels on your appliances before purchasing them!
Energy Star Rating
Always purchase appliances with Energy Star ratings. This ensures your item is certified to use less energy and water. Make sure to consult your sales associate about Energy Star rated products on the market when selecting your home appliances.
Water Sense Label
The Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense label marks fixtures that help your home use less water. Whether you buy faucets or toilets, WaterSense products are certified to be at least 20 percent more water efficient than the federal standard.
Buy toilets with the WaterSense label, which use 1.28 gallons per flush or less against the 1.6 gallon federal maximum. Dual-flush models cut it further on liquid waste. Whether the swap pays for itself depends on your household, and does a water saving toilet really help save money runs the numbers. If you are replacing the fixture anyway, the five types of toilets and which to buy is the place to start, and our toilet repair team handles the install.
Call our professional plumbers to install water-saving fixtures to your plumbing system.
By changing your water habits and buying efficient fixtures, you cut both the water and the bill. If you need a new water-saving fixture added to your plumbing system, call us at (863) 667-6364 and one of our professional plumbers will install it properly. We serve Lakeland, Plant City, Winter Haven, and the surrounding areas, and keeping fixtures in shape is the point of regular plumbing maintenance.
