Conserving water is practically one of the easiest and most important ways we can help our planet. Not everyone is aware of the importance of saving water and thinks that we seem to have an endless supply of it, but in reality, we do not. Access to clean, fresh water is limited, especially given that global warming has been the cause of droughts in other parts of the world. With that being said, we have to do our part and think of practical ways to save water.
Even if you’re not into saving the world, with rising utility costs, you can also save money by conserving water.
Practical Ways to Save Water at Home
1. Turn off the tap when you are not using it
Whether you are brushing your teeth or washing the dishes, always ensure that the faucet is not running when you are not actively using it. This saves a lot of water, especially if you are the type of person who brushes their teeth for more than two minutes.
Once you turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth, you will be saving two to three gallons of water per day! As for washing plates with your hands, you use up to 20 gallons of water per session.
While it would save a lot of water to turn off the tap as you rinse dishes with soap, the most effective way to save water would be to purchase an energy-efficient dishwasher.
2. Check if your faucet or toilet has any leaks
Leaks are one of the leading causes of water loss, so the best way to prevent this is to regularly check your pipes, faucets, and toilets for any dripping or leaks. If you do this, you will be able to save up to 10% on your water bill.
Remember to take leaks seriously because a tiny leak from a faucet can add up to 20 gallons of water a day down the drain.
3. Instead of using sprinklers, wait for the rain
It is not necessary to water lawns continuously, seven days a week.
An average residential water sprinkler uses up to 12-30 gallons per minute. Pretty lawns and well-maintained green spaces are a joy for homeowners and members of the community, most types of grass are pretty resilient and it’s ok to go a day or two between waterings.
Plus, there is rain too, so you may opt to wait for nature to do its thing and water your lawn for you.
4. Do not shower too long
Trimming down shower time is one of the best ways to save water since it is so easy to do. You can shorten your shower time by timing yourself with a song. A song typically ranges from three to four minutes, so that should be perfect!
And how is this for a two-fer: Shower with your partner to conserve water (and maybe throw in a little sexy time while you’re at it).
5. Only use an automatic dishwasher and washing machine for full loads
Avoid using your automatic dishwasher if you only have two plates and a single glass to clean. The same goes for your washing machine; make sure that you only use it for full loads rather than a measly shirt and a piece of underwear.
Remember, a dishwasher uses 4 gallons of water, while washing machines use 30 to 35 gallons per cycle, so be wise when using these two machines.
6. Consider getting yourself a high efficiency washing machine
If you frequently find yourself washing clothes, one of the best ways to save water would be for you to purchase a high efficiency washing machine. Compared to a traditional automatic washing machine, which uses 30 to 35 gallons per cycle, this uses as little as 7 gallons.
7. Limit children from playing with hoses and sprinklers
We know it is hard to tell your children that they cannot play with hoses and run around the lawn with the sprinklers running during a hot summer day. If you’re serious about saving water, however, this is an unnecessary use of water that’s best limited to the occasional treat.
8. Recycle water
You can reuse water by collecting it as you shower and using it to flush the potty.
Another way to recycle water is to collect rain water in a large outdoor tub and use it to water your plants.
9. Purchase low or dual flush toilets
A regular, single flush toilet would use up to 5 gallons, whereas a dual flush toilet only uses 1.6 gallons. You basically have the option to use a low flush for #1, and a more powerful flush for #2.
10. Consume foods that do not require too much water to prepare
Did you know that our diets contribute to half our daily water consumption? We’re talking to the pasta, rice, and potato lovers of the world. To save water, skip the spaghetti and grill a nice piece of chicken with veggies instead.
According to Earth Easy, switching from animal-based products to plant-based ones is one way to start conserving water when it comes to eating less water-intensive foods.
Not every tip works for every person or household. But if we each do a little to save water every day, it could add up to make all the difference.
Meta description
There are technically a hundred ways to save water at home, and the majority of these can be done easily by just about anybody.
The post 10 Practical Ways to Save Water at Home appeared first on The Village Voice.
0 Commentaires