Do you want to save water? Read this and find out how!
We tend to take water for granted, and because of this, it’s estimated that an average American family wastes 180 gallons of water per week. This means 9,400 gallons of water annually, and if you ask us, this is a lot of wasted water.
Besides the fact that you will need to pay more on the water bill, using water without a mindful approach is also harmful to the environment. This is why we believe it’s essential to pay attention to your consumption.
Hopefully, there are many tricks that help you save water, and once you know them, saving water and money will be one of the easiest tasks. Read on and discover some amazing eco-friendly and budget-conscious things you can start doing to keep your wallet and the planet happy!
1. Try the water-efficient faucets
If you want to start cutting back on water waste, water-efficient faucets are probably the most effective solution. For some people, this strategy to save water can sound like a burden because you’ll need to update the hardware around your house, but in the end, this effort and the money spent are totally worth it.
You can start by purchasing aerators because they are simple to install and replace. These things work by mixing the water with air, and in this way, you reduce the amount of water you are going to use.
Depending on how much water you plan to save, there are more types of aerators you can buy. All this is calculated by the flow rate of gallons of water per minute, and this can help you make the best choice that is suitable for your lifestyle.
Besides installing aerators on your faucets, you can do the same for shower heads. They are also simple to install and will help you save a lot of water that is usually wasted while you shower.
2. Change the way you do lawn maintenance
We all want to keep our yards and gardens looking their best, and for this, we need a lot of water. Plants and grass depend on water to survive. But, according to experts, we need to change the way we take care of our gardens, as daily maintenance is one of the main reasons water is wasted in the US.
Even more surprising statistics show that one-third of the water Americans use is the one they use in the garden and to water their lawn! We sure love our yards. Nothing is wrong with that, but if we want to save water, we’ll need to make some changes in the way we water our gardens.
First of all, if you want to get the most out of your sprinkles, you should change the time when you are using them. The best time of the day to water plants is early in the morning because this lets the water get absorbed by the soil and less water will evaporate once the heat starts. This is why, if you want to save water, you should get some smart sprinklers that you can program to water whenever you want.
Using rainwater is another great way to cut that water bill. Get a rain barrel and take advantage of downpours by collecting the water and later using it in your garden. If you want to get even more economical, consider installing a drip system. This is more efficient and saves more water than your usual sprinklers.
3. It’s time for new toilets
One thing that really reduces consumption is replacing your old toilets with new ones that are specially designed to save water. What is great is that you can find toilets that are tailored to your needs, and they have different levels of water efficiency. This helps you find the perfect toilet based on how much water you plan to save.
For example, you can get low-flow toilets or ultra-low-flow toilets. The first option generally uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush, and the second one uses 1.28 gallons of water per flush. Also, you can find dual flush toilets, which usually use 1.6 gpf for solids and 0.8 gpf for liquids.
But what is the difference between all these fancy toilets and your regular toilet? Well, a regular toilet usually uses anywhere between 3.5 and 7 gpf each time you flush it. Comparing these numbers to the one above, you can see that you don’t need that much water. It is clear how much water we waste just by flushing our toilets, but with a simple modification, we can start to save both water and money.
So, if you want to save water, replacing your old toilet will make a big difference. If you are not sure about what to buy, you can ask for help at any store you go to, as it’s easier that way.
4. Turn off the water when you are not using it
Maybe you are not ready yet to use more efficient faucets and shower heads, but you can still save water, especially when you do any everyday activity that generally wastes water.
Every drop counts, and because of this, one of the most effective ways to save water and stop waste is to simply close the faucet when you are not using the water. Imagine it’s the same situation as when you leave the light open in an empty room.
Besides wasting water, experts say that there are also many hidden costs, such as the energy used to pump, heat, and treat water. This affects the environment as well as your wallet.
So, next time you brush your teeth or wash your hands, just close the faucet. This is easy to do and truly helps. In the long run, it will make a difference, and you will notice it when you get your water bill.
5. Use the dishwasher
Every time after a meal, you will have to wash dishes and the kitchenware you used to cook the meal. This is a significant source of water waste, but using a dishwasher can help. Besides being convenient, this solution is also efficient.
Yes, this might sound surprising, but washing dishes in a dishwasher saves 9,200 liters per year. On the other hand, hand washing them wastes a lot of water. Even if it needs to use energy, the dishwasher is still more economical than hand washing.
One thing to keep in mind is that you need to use the dishwasher the right way if you really want to save water and money. This machine uses the same amount of power, no matter the size of the load. Make sure to always have a full load and never wash the dishes every night.
If you still want to hand wash the dishes, you can do this in a way that does not waste water. For example, you can use the sink as a water basin; you’ll just have to plug it in, and then you can wash the dishes in that water because it is more efficient. After that, you can rinse them as you usually do, and you are good to go.
If you need a plug for your kitchen sink, this one might be an amazing choice: 3 3/8 inch (8.57Cm) – Kitchen Sink Stopper Stainless Steel Garbage Disposal Plug
You should also read: 13 Popular Grocery Products Not Worth Your Cash
