Water is a valuable natural resource. Unfortunately, water is scarce in some places because of drought and water sources drying up. Be more conscious of your water usage to lower utility bills and improve the environment. Here are five tips to save water at home and conserve hundreds of gallons of water each year.
Save Water at Home: Turn Off the Faucet
It is easy to leave the water running while washing your hands, doing the dishes, and brushing your teeth. However, this wastes water each time. Use the tap to dampen your skin or toothbrush, and turn it off. Brush your teeth, then turn the faucet on to rinse.
This habit can be challenging to develop, but with practice, you and your family will save a few gallons of water each time you clean up.
Only Run the Dishwasher When Full
Under most circumstances, using your dishwasher is more efficient than hand washing dishes because the appliance uses less water. Make sure the dishwasher is full before running it, and opt for the shortest cycle with no pre-rinse.
Take the same approach with your washing machine when doing laundry. Wait until you have a full load, don’t use additional rinse cycles, and use cold water for the wash.
Take Shorter Showers to Save Water at Home
If you shower every day, that uses a lot of water. It may not seem like much, but an 8-minute shower will require over 16 gallons of water. Reduce this amount by taking showers less frequently and reducing your time in the shower.
Set a timer or create a 5-minute playlist to cue when your shower time is up.
Install a Low-Flow Shower Head
To improve the efficiency of your shower, install a low-flow shower head. The average showerhead produces approximately two and a half gallons per minute, but low-flow shower heads use less than two gallons per minute. It’s quick and easy to install a new showerhead and you can save hundreds of gallons of water every month.
Reuse Your Bath Towels
When you towel off after getting out of the bath or shower, the towel shouldn’t be dirty. Hang it to dry. You can use a bath towel several times before washing it. You’ll reduce water usage by doing less laundry.
Oasis Home Inspections provides inspection services in Brevard County, Florida. If you’re buying or selling a home, contact us to schedule an appointment.