Every home wastes water daily for several reasons, such as bad water use habits, outdated water using appliances, hidden water leaks, and other causes. A few drops of water lost here, and there may not seem like a big deal, but they can really add up over time leading to gallons of water lost. In this article, we will look at ways that you can use your plumbing system to conserve water and lower your utility bills.
Check for Water Drips
A leaky bathroom faucet is annoying when you try to sleep at night, but it also wastes a lot of water each year. Take some time to locate any leaking faucets and fixtures in your home and tighten them up. Check the areas for signs of more serious leaks that need to be fixed, and you can avoid flooding and water damage later. If you’re not confident with plumbing yourself, contact a local certified plumber and ask about a plumbing system tune-up for your home.
Ease Up on Landscaping
Many people enjoy gardening, but it can be a water intensive activity, and many plants don’t need as much water as you might think. The fact is that many gardeners use too much water, their sprinklers run for too long, and this can drench the plants. Take some time to check on the plants you have in your garden and double check your sprinkler settings. If you’re using a hose, ease up and water for a shorter period of time and see how the plants and grass react. If you water your plants earlier in the morning and later in the evening less water is wasted due to evaporation.
Replace Aging Plumbing Fixtures
Purchasing new plumbing fixtures and appliances isn’t what most people want to hear, but your old washing machine could be wasting water and energy. Many older toilets use far more water than their modern counterparts, and this wastes a lot of money. In the last decade, some amazing advances have been made in eco-friendly appliances and fixtures. Although these innovations have a significant up front cost, they will save a lot of money on utility and energy bills in the medium to long term. A
local professional plumber can help you to choose the best options to make the best savings.
Insulating Plumbing Pipes
A well insulated pipe will reduce the time that it takes for your water to reach temperature. An insulated pipe can add 2-4º to the water temperature in your home, helping to save money on water as you wait and the energy to heat the water. Some pipes are easier to reach than others, so ask your local certified plumber about pipe insulation.
Develop Water Conscious Habits
Turning your faucets off when brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, and using gray water on your plants are all great ways to start saving water at home. These new habits are great for your bank balance, and they help the environment at the same time.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
