Do you know how much water your household uses? The EPA reports that the average American family uses over 300 gallons of water daily, 210 of that going to indoor usage. Now that more adults are working from home, that daily water consumption could be even higher.
One thing is for certain: the more water you use, the higher your monthly utility bill is going to be. Fortunately, there are numerous improvements you can add to your home to reduce your water usage, water waste, and water bills. Learn more from the pros at The Rooter Works Plumbing and Drains below!
1. Add aerators to your sink faucets.
An aerator is a small device that goes into the “mouth” of your faucet. It infuses air bubbles into the water stream flowing through the plumbing fixture, keeping the water pressure strong and satisfying while reducing the volume of water that comes out.
2. Install a dual-flush toilet.
Considering most of a family’s water usage goes toward flushing the toilet, water-smart improvements are not something you want to overlook in this area. A dual-flush toilet comes with two buttons that allow you to choose which type of flush you need: a light flush or a heavy-duty flush. That way you can save water with lower-flow flushes, but you still have the option of a powerful flush if you need it.
3. Install tankless water heaters close to showers.
Just like tank water heaters, tankless water heaters can be stored in the garage or utility closet. However, you’ll get an even more water-smart and energy-efficient home by installing tankless water heaters close to where you use hot water (like bathrooms). This will cut down on the time you spend waiting for hot water to arrive at the tap while cold water goes down the drain.
4. Insulate your hot water supply pipes.
If a tankless water heater isn’t quite in your budget, insulating your hot water supply pipes can also help you cut down on wasted cold water. By insulating your pipes, the hot water traveling from your tank water heater won’t lose as much heat on its way to the shower or faucet. Also, insulation provides protection against freezing during winter, so you may want to insulate your cold water supply pipes as well.
5. When a plumbing fixture wears out, replace it with a WaterSense-labeled model.
WaterSense-labeled plumbing fixtures are designed to reduce water consumption, helping both the environment and your wallet. To earn the WaterSense label from the EPA, plumbing fixtures must “use at least 20 percent less water, save energy, and perform as well as or better than regular models.” This means that your plumbing fixture won’t just save water—it will work just as well or better than its less water-smart competitors.
6. Start harvesting rainwater.
Ohio gets about 40 inches of rain water on average each year. This precipitation is free of contaminants and hard water minerals that are commonly found in water straight from the tap. If you can keep this water clean, you can use it around the house or in the garden. Best of all: it’s free! If you want to start small, you can buy your own rain harvesting kit or barrel. You can also work with a professional to install a system on a larger scale.
7. Equip your landscaping with a drip irrigation system.
Sprinklers can be wasteful, and they can overshoot or miss areas of your yard, leading to brown spots. Instead of using jets of water, a drip system uses very low water pressure to drip, spray, or stream water throughout your landscaping. This technique keeps the plant roots moist but not soggy and allows them to be watered thoroughly with minimal water.
At The Rooter Works Plumbing and Drains, we pride ourselves on excellent customer service and quality plumbing repairs and installations. For help with the plumbing in your Columbus home, give us a call today at (614) 412-3324">(614) 412-3324.
