Conserving water is beneficial for the environment and good for your household budget. If you’re looking for ways to save water, start at home with these simple tips.
Save Water in the Bathroom
If you’re mindful of water usage in the bathroom, you can easily save hundreds of gallons of water a year. Here are a few pointers to decrease bathroom water consumption.
- Take showers instead of baths.
- Shorten your showers by a few minutes.
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Check sinks and toilets for hidden leaks.
- Use a low-flow shower head and toilet.
- Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket by flushing items besides toilet paper.
Use the Fridge to Keep Water Cool
Instead of running the faucet to get your drinking water to the desired temperature, keep a pitcher of water in the fridge. You’ll save water and be able to enjoy a cool drink whenever you want.
Save Water at Home: Cover Your Swimming Pool
Save water by covering your swimming pool when it’s not in use. A pool cover reduces evaporation, decreasing the frequency you’ll need to fill the pool. Install a solar cover. It has the benefits of warming the water and keeping the pool clean.
Modify Your Sprinklers
When installing a sprinkler system, verify that it only waters your lawn, not your driveway or the street. If possible, set sprinklers to come on in the early hours of the morning. Watering before the sun is hot allows the moisture to seep into the soil. The chance of evaporation increases as the day gets hotter.
Use Appliances Efficiently
Using a dishwasher instead of hand washing the dishes saves water, but only if you run the appliance with a full load. The same is true for the washing machine; wait until you have a full load of clothes to do laundry to maximize water conservation.
Collect Rainwater to Save Water at Home
Install a rain barrel to collect rainwater. Use it to water the lawn, garden, or indoor plants. Purchase a rain barrel online or at your local hardware store. Set it at the bottom of the gutter downspout to catch water as it funnels off the roof.
Use the Garden Hose Less Often
A garden hose uses a lot of water, so next time you need to clean the driveway or walkway, use a broom or leaf blower instead of the hose. If you wash your car at home, clean it using a bucket of soapy water and use the hose to rinse. Don’t let kids play with the hose. Instead, fill a kiddie pool with water for them to enjoy on hot days.
Delta Home Inspection provides inspection services to customers in Mobile and Baldwin Counties in Alabama. Contact us to request an appointment.