Water Conservation: How You Can Save Water at Home
Do Your Part to Conserve Water
Many of us assume that we will always have clean water available to you. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. In fact, as the population continues to grow, we are using up water, especially drinking (potable) water. Learn more about water conservation and how you can do your part by saving water at home.
Water Conservation Facts
Here are some of the facts you should know about water conservation:
- The typical American uses an average of 82 gallons of water a day.
- The average family of four in the U.S. spends $1000 on water annually
- The average family of four wastes over 9000 gallons of water a year in water leaks
- The planet consists of 71% water (326 million cubic miles)
- Only 3% of the water is freshwater
- Only 0.5% of the water is safe for drinking
- Arizona exists in a state of permanent drought
- California recently experienced a drought and established a water limit
- Kim Kardashion, Kevin Hart, and Dwayne Wade all exceeded those water limits up to 1000x the limit during the crisis
- The Rio Grande is experiencing record low numbers
How You Can Save Water at Home
While the majority of freshwater is used in industry and agriculture, we can still take steps at home to reduce water waste.
Switch to WaterSense Fixtures and Appliances
WaterSense products operate using less water than traditional fixtures and appliances.
WaterSense products use aerators to accomplish this task. Aerators add a bit of air into the water stream, meaning the faucet will use less water without sacrificing water pressure.
WaterSense dishwashers and washing machines also use less water than normal.
Use Low Flow Toilets
Toilets make up a large portion of water usage. Low flow toilets use less water than traditional toilets. However, many homeowners prefer the full flush to completely eliminate the contents of the toilet bowl. To allow for the best of both worlds, consider a dual flush toilet that offers a low flow flush for liquid waste and a full flush for solid waste.
Shut Off Water When Brushing Teeth/Cleaning
Naturally, we need water when brushing our teeth or washing the dishes. However, we don’t need to keep the water running the whole time. Turn the water off when you can. Turning off the water while brushing your teeth can save 8 gallons each time you brush!
Install a Recirculation System
A recirculation system maintains a constant flow of hot water running through a cyclical system of pipes, making it readily available. Instead of running water for minutes waiting for the hot water to arrive, hot water will only take about two seconds. Since you won’t need to let the water run to get hot water, you won’t waste water in the beginning.
Create a Thoughtful Landscaping System
Many people forget to consider their lawncare routine when thinking about water conservation. About half of the water we use outdoors is lost due to inefficient irrigation systems. Since watering an average sized lawn uses as much water as all of a household’s showers for a year, it’s important to keep as much of the water as possible.
Resolve Plumbing Issues
If you have a plumbing leak, it will waste water. It can also cause quite a bit of water damage. Inspect your plumbing system annually for leaks. If you do detect a leak, resolve it as quickly as possible.
In most cases, you’ll be able to identify a leak visually. However, some leaks aren’t as easy to spot. If you suspect a leak in hard-to-see places, such as the pipes in your wall or underground, a plumber can perform an inspection for you.
Since pinhole leaks may not show up in a camera, plumbers usually don’t solely rely on the help of an endoscope. They will also use some sort of test to detect pressure levels. A sudden drop in pressure may indicate a leak.
Additional
signs of a leak include:
- High water bills
- Low water pressure
- Mold ļ»æ
U.S. Water Heating Solutions
Not all conservation efforts involve your water heater. However, when it does, you can trust on U.S. Water Heating Solutions to find a way to get you closer to your conservation goals.
We offer water heater installation, water heater repair, and water heater preventative maintenance.
Contact U.S. Water Heating Solutions or call 833-879-4776 to learn more.
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