Using water efficiently
Why is water efficiency so important, it’s a natural resource, it’s always there, right? If we are short on water, why can’t we make some? Remember the story of the Hindenburg, the blimp of ill fate? To keep it floating, they filled it with hydrogen in 1937 to make its journey across the Atlantic.
Along the way, it was hit by static electricity and that hydrogen sparked when it became mixed with ambient oxygen from the air. Then the hydrogen exploded, creating a huge ball of fire, destroying the ill-famed Hindenburg in under 60 seconds. Lesson to be learned from that catastrophe is that water can not be manufactured safely, thus making water efficiency a must.
Someday maybe, scientist will discover way to make water, but in the meantime, water efficiency and conservation is something we need to practice and respect. So, ask yourself, “What are 10 ways to save water?” and see what you can produce. To help you out we’ll share 10 ways to put water use efficiency in use:
- Turn the faucet off when you brush your teeth.
- Only use the dishwasher and washing machine when they are full.
- Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators.
- Fix all water leaks including dripping faucets and running toilets.
- Install a low-flow toilet or install a conversion kit on existing toilets.
- Don’t overwater the lawn, don’t water during peak water use periods, and install rain sensors on your irrigation system.
- Set up a rain barrel to collect rainwater for your outdoor watering needs.
- Plant a rain garden to catch rain runoff from the driveway, roof, or any hard surface.
- Request a home water audit from your water department and then monitor the water usage in your home each month.
- Exchange water efficiency tips with the community.
These are a few water saving methods you can do that will have a huge impact on your community’s water demand today and extend the water efficiency into the future. Did you know that the average American home uses up to 170 gallons of water per day.
Across the oceans, the average Australian uses up to 36 gallons per day because of better water efficiency practices, and yet, they still enjoy a quality lifestyle. If the metro area of Atlanta Georgia would embrace the above suggested water efficiency tips, they could save as much as 130 gallons of water each day.
Up to sixty percent of all domestic drinking water is used for watering gardens and yards, with a lot that wasted with misdirected sprinklers that are watering driveways, sidewalks, and the street. Over-watering, and evaporation are also huge water wastes.
What uses more water a bath or shower?
So, what can you do in addition to the things we listed earlier to practice better water efficiency? Take short showers! When looking at which is a better practice of water efficiency, bath vs shower, showers are the winner – when it is a 10 minute or shorter shower.
A bath uses as much as thirty gallons of water where the standard shower uses twenty five gallons in 10 minutes. Of course, we’re not advising to forgo sanitation and increase the risks for bacteria and germs to spread, but the shorter your shower, the more you save with water efficiency and money!
With these facts, maybe you’re wondering now, “How can I keep my water bill low?” Here are a few tips to help you do that, some of which we have already mentioned, but when it comes to saving a natural resource, water efficiency practices can’t be stated too much:
- Fix dripping and leaky faucets: In most homes, this is the most obvious culprit. It may seem like a few drips each day, but those drips will add up. According to studies, that one drop can waste over 2,000 gallons of water in one year.
- Full loads only: When it comes to doing laundry, full loads only is the best solution for water efficiency and save wear-n-tear on your washing machine too.
- Less is better: Shorter showers are a huge water efficiency practice! Up to 17% of the water we use in our homes is showering according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Yes, that hot luxurious shower feels good every morning, but you’re using water you don’t need after 10 minutes, which is also costing you more money.
- Adjusting water temperature at the stove: Instead of running the water until it gets hot, heat your water up on the stove top.
- Efficient dish washing: A dishwasher will use less water than washing dishes by hand according to studies by the EPA. If your home doesn’t have a dishwasher, put a stopper in the drain then fill the sink with soapy water, then rinse with running water instead of keeping water running the whole time. If you are getting a new dishwasher or washing machine, look for water efficiency appliances.
- Install efficient shower heads: This is one area we take for granted if its working – the shower head. If you haven’t ever replaced it, do it now with a low-flow shower head and you’ll use under 3 gallons of water each minute, for those shorter showers you’re going to start taking. The old shower heads use up to 5 gallons or more per minute, that is over 130 gallons of water for each shower.
- The right time to water the garden and lawn: By waiting to water the garden and lawn when there is less chance of evaporation is water efficiency practice at its finest. The wrong time to water is during the hottest part of the day. Do your watering early in the morning or later in the evening.
- Utilize rainwater: Rainwater is free, so collect what you an in large containers or purchase a water cistern, then water your garden and lawn with the free water!
- Turn off the bathroom faucet: Instead of letting the water run while you brush your teeth or shave, turn it off. Not only is this practicing water efficiency, but it will save you money too.
Install water-efficient toilets and water heaters: Today, toilets are made to use only 1.3 gallons of water with each flush versus the old 5 gallons per flush. When it is time to replace the water heater, choose a water heater efficiency rating that is an energy saver and has water efficiency features, like tankless water heaters. Call 314-348-7503 today for water efficiency appliance installation in St Louis, MO.