Saving Water

Ways to Save Water at Home

Saving Water at Home

When you realize that fresh water makes up less than 1 percent of all the water on the planet, and when you think about the fact that far too many people use it like there is no tomorrow, you will find that you are going to be interested in saving it. Not only are you going to find that your water bill is significantly lower, but you will also find that you can feel really good doing what you can to help our environment. Check out these great household tips on saving water. Some are large, some are small, but you can bet that they all add up!

Check your water meter 

In order to make sure that you are getting a good reading from your water meter, pinpoint a two hour time frame where you know that no water is being used. If you see some usage over that time, you know that there is a leak somewhere in the system. This can help you save hundreds of gallons of water if you are looking at a persistent leak.

Take your car to the car wash 

It seems counterproductive, but a good car wash service can get your car bright and sparkling while using less water than you will use in your driveway. Unless you are very, very careful, there is going to be a lot of water wasted, particularly when you are getting ready to rinse you car, and that doesn't even touch on the soaps and detergents that are getting washed into your lawn! On the other hand, you will find that the car wash will likely be forced to obey local strictures on gray water recycling and the disposition of detergents.

Turn off the water when you brush your teeth

When you go to brush your teeth, make sure that you turn the water off between rinses of your toothbrush. This is something that can be quite troublesome, but you will find that this will start saving you water over the long run. Think about all the people in your household who brush their teeth twice a day and think of the gallons and gallons of water that this can come out to.

Put plastic bottles in your toilet tank

When you want to make sure that your toilet does not waste water, put some weighted water bottles in the tank. Fill the bottles with water and then put them in the tank, angling them away from flushing mechanisms. This displaces the water in your toilet tank and will not permit it to use so much water. All you need to do is to make sure that you have at least 3 gallons of water in the tank to allow it to flush properly. There are also some great new products on the market now to help you save water in the bathroom, like low-flow-toilets, and devices like the Hydro-Clean by MJSI,inc.  that reduce water useage for toilets.  

Save Water: Shorter showers

When you go to shower, make sure that you think about the water that you are using. Unless your shower comes in at less than five minutes or so, you will be using almost as much water as a bath would. One way to cut down on how much water you use is to get damp and then to turn the water off. Soap up and scrub and don't turn the water back on until you are ready to rinse. This is a very good way to conserve water and to make sure that you are still getting clean! You can also install low-flow shower heads that can cut your water usage without giving up that nice high-pressure feel.

Save Water Using Rain Catch Systems

This is a lot less time consuming or complex than you might think. Take the time to put buckets or a trough underneath your rain gutters to catch water. You can grab quite a few gallons of water this way and this can help you water your yard or your garden the next day. This will lower your water bill, and it will ensure that your yard, plants and vegetables look great!

Saving Water: Stop drips

When you have a dripping faucet,you should be aware that you are letting as much as 20 gallons of water go to waste every day. That's just what you are dealing with when it comes to a small leak. With a larger leak, you might be in a place where you are going to be wasting hundreds of gallons. If it is minor and you are comfortable with it, repair the leak yourself, but regardless of how you do it, get leaks taken care of right away!

Put full loads in washing machines and dishwashers

Hold off on using these water use-intense machines until you have a full load. Remember that the same amount of water is used for a full load or a partial load, so take some time to make sure that you are getting the most use out of the machine before you turn it on. Take some time and really consider what your options are going to be in this regard.

Saving Water: Get a front loading washer

You can also save water by looking  into purchasing a front loading washer. You can cut down on the amount of water that you use to wash your clothes significantly. Front loading washing machines are typically more efficient in saving water and sometimes electricity as well.

Saving Water: Cold water in the fridge

On a hot day, most of us like nothing better than a glass of cold water. However, getting it from the sink can mean that you are waiting for it to chill for a few minutes, wasting several gallons of water. Instead, keep a pitcher full of cold water in the fridge and refill it periodically.

Saving Water: Watering your lawn

Water early in the day or at twilight to make sure that you are going to be able to minimize evaporation. Similarly, make sure that you do not water when it is windy, as wind can blow water off course and speed evaporation.

We also have some great suggestions for reducing your electricity and gas usage.

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