Saving water is not only a plus for your water bill, it’s good for the planet, too. Surprisingly, it’s easier than you think to save significant amounts of water, including making small-but-savvy lifestyle changes to your daily routine. Here’s what we recommend.
1. Switch Out Old, Leaky Fixtures
The faucets that came with your home when you bought it might not be doing you any favors. Faucets that drip constantly or that leak around seals are big water-wasters. Even the slowest drip could be costing you upwards of fifteen gallons of water lost each month. It’s time to replace out-of-date water fixtures, and while you’re at it, upgrade to slow-flow versions that conserve water without negatively impacting your life.
From sink faucets to shower heads, today’s slow-flow fixtures are top-of-the-line and use advanced technology to conserve water while still offering up a nice, satisfying flow. How much water can low-flow fixtures save? Experts say up to four gallons of water per shower and up to an additional 700 gallons of water per year via sink faucets.
2. Consider Replacing Your Toilet
Did you know that older model toilets (before 1982) can use up to 6 gallons of water per flush? That’s a lot of water going down the drain, especially for small jobs. Opt instead for a dual-flush toilet that uses less water (closer to 1.6 gallons) when liquids are flushed and more when solids are involved.
3. Upgrade Your Irrigation System
Outdated water sprinklers that dampen your lawn use tons of unnecessary water every day. You can help lessen the amount of water wasted by investing in a smart irrigation system. Smart systems are capable of testing the soil to see whether it’s time to turn on. This means that if you’ve had plenty of rain lately, your lawn sprinkler knows it’s not needed.
4. Consider Newer Appliances
Old, dated appliances are huge water and energy wasters compared with today’s more energy-efficient versions. By upgrading your dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator, and hot water heater, you can save gallons upon gallons of water, not to mention shaving serious dollars off your monthly utility bill.
5. Inspect Your Pipes Regularly
It’s possible to have a leaky water pipe and not realize it until costly damage has occurred, especially if the pipe is located inside a wall or beneath a floor. This is why it’s important to perform regular inspections of your water pipes, especially if your water bill seems unusually high. Look for damp spots in drywall or places where mildew or mold may be growing. Check any visible pipes for drips at least once or twice a year.
6. Make Simple Lifestyle Changes
Simple daily changes such as taking shorter showers or turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth can save a lot more water than you think — up to thousands of gallons per year, say the experts. This is probably the easiest and most economical way to conserve water and energy inside your home.
When you experience plumbing issues in the Gainesville, FL area, call J.W. Freeman Plumbing to help. We’ve proudly served Gainesville and the surrounding area since 2008, bringing fast, friendly service to satisfied customers. Call today to schedule an in-home service call.
