We need water in our daily lives to drink, prepare food, bathe, wash clothes and dishes, and keep the garden healthy. Reduce your water usage to save money and help manage resources. Using water conservatively has benefits for you and the environment. Here are a few tips on how to save water at home.
Fix Leaky Faucets to Save Water at Home
A single dripping faucet can waste five gallons of water every day. An occasional drip is easy to ignore, but it will affect your water bill. Repair the faucet or call a professional to take care of the problem.
Upgrade Your Toilet to Save Water at Home
If you have an older toilet, consider replacing yours with a newer WaterSense certified model. Older toilets use more water, so upgrading your toilets will reduce your water usage. When shopping for new fixtures, research different brands to find the most efficient one for your household.
Use a Watering Can
Plants require water to thrive. To use less water, opt for a watering can instead of using the garden hose or sprinklers. A hose uses more water and can damage your plants when the pressure is too high. With a watering can, you control exactly where the water goes and how much each plant gets.
Along with careful watering, add mulch to your flower beds. A layer of mulch helps to slow the evaporation of moisture in the soil. The water will seep into the ground where it is absorbed by the roots of your plants.
Save Water at Home by Taking Shorter Showers
Showers are a frequent cause of high water bills. Pay attention to how many minutes you spend in the shower. Set a timer and try to reduce that time by 2 or 3 minutes. Shorter showers reduce your water consumption.
To use even less water, upgrade to a low-flow showerhead. These water-saving models provide a great shower experience without a noticeable reduction in water pressure. You can save a gallon or more per minute.
Invest in a High-Efficiency Washing Machine
When you’re in the market for a new washing machine, choose an energy-efficient model. Modern machines use much less water than machines that are only a few years old. Only wash when you have a full load of clothes to further reduce your water usage.
Capture Rainwater
Using a rain barrel to collect rainwater will help reduce your water bills. You can repurpose what’s collected to water the lawn and house plants, bathe the dog, and wash your car. Cover your barrels to prevent mosquitoes from breeding there and be sure to keep your gutters clean so water can flow freely.
Catawba Island Home Inspections provides home inspection services, including, in Northwest Ohio. Contact us to request an appointment.