Tips for Conserving Water in Your Home

We’ve all heard about how certain regions are dealing with droughts and even enforcing strict local water conservation laws in some cases. Even if you aren’t required by law, adopting a few water conservation strategies is a great way to save a few bucks on your utility bills while preserving an increasingly scarce, life-sustaining resource.

Start with Recycling and Reducing

Before you start tearing up your lawn and replacing your pipes, you can save quite a bit of money and water by utilizing a few simple water recycling methods.

  • If It’s Yellow Let It Mellow – Yes, this is a very old adage, but it still rings true. By only flushing your toilet when it contains solid waste, you can save more than one gallon for every flush you avoid.
  • Recycle Water Where You Can – You can easily recycle gallons of water by placing a bucket underneath the shower faucet while your shower warms up. This water can be used for watering plants, washing dishes, watering pets and many other tasks.
  • Reduce Water Waste – It can’t be overstated how much water you’ll save when you turn off the sink as you’re brushing your teeth, doing dishes and washing your hands. This also applies to taking shorter showers and opting for a broom instead of a hose when cleaning your driveway or walkway.
  • Opt for Full Loads – When doing laundry or using the dishwasher, only run the appliance when it’s unquestionably full. Additionally, try and cut back on washing items like water glasses and towels after just one use.
  • Xeriscape – Impactful water conservation takes place outside the home as well. Reducing the size of your lawn or even transitioning to a xeriscape yard, which features mostly succulents and rock, will save countless gallons of water day in and day out.

Make Some Appliance and Structural Changes

In addition to the quick lifestyle changes you can make around the house to save water, you can also make some long-term and hands-off changes sure to save you even more in terms of money and water conservation in the long run.

  • Consider Dual-flush Toilets – Older toilet models use almost twice as much water as newer, dual-flush toilets, which only use as much water as needed, so you don’t have to worry about “letting it mellow.”
  • Install More Efficient Fixtures – Faucets and other fixtures can have a huge impact on how much water your home goes through. For example, standard shower heads use approximately two and a half gallons of water per minute, while more efficient heads use less than two.
  • Find and Fix Leaks – Installing new faucets can also eliminate potential leaks. Even a small drip can lead to a surprisingly pricey water bill at the end of the month. This extends beyond the faucet though; leaky pipes, hoses, toilets and sinks can all result in surprisingly high volumes of wasted water.
  • Insulate Hot Water Pipes – Warming up your water before a shower or laundry load takes time, and countless gallons are wasted while you wait for it to warm to a bearable temperature. Insulating your hot water pipes can keep water warm and avoid needless wasting.
  • Regular Inspections and Maintenance – Keeping your home’s plumbing up to date and working properly will help you avoid unseen leaks and inefficient usage. Plus, regular inspections can help you make the decision to upgrade older appliances.

Consider South West Plumbing

There are a variety of things you can do to conserve water in your home on your own, but there are even more things you can do with the assistance of an honest, expert plumber. South West Plumbing can help you save money and conserve water by addressing leaks and installing new, efficient fixtures and toilets for a competitive price. Seattle-area residents can contact South West Plumbing online or by calling (206) 210-3268 today.


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