Few Tips to Save Water in the House
Most householders would like to save water, and therefore their water bill, but just never find the time to get started.
There are plenty of easy changes you can make.
Just make a list and try to do one new one every few days.
Of course the first and obvious thing is to fix leaky faucets, but so many people put it off! Teach your children how to tightly turn off running water every time they need a drink or wash their hands.
Kitchen and Laundry Hints Saving water in the kitchen is one of the quickest ways to lower your consumption.
The first steps to keep in mind are about the dishwasher.
Most people think that the dishwasher uses a lot of water, but actually running a load takes less than hand washing.
Don't pre-rinse your dishes; scrape them off, but the let machine finish the job.
It was actually designed to do a better job with food bits on surfaces, so don't feel as if you are neglecting an important step.
And only run the dishwasher with a full load.
That seems like an obvious thing, but if you have children, or just oblivious housemates, a half-full dishwasher is often turned on.
If you do need to hand wash big items or pots, don't let the water run continuously, or even while you are rinsing.
Pile up a lot of items and rinse them all at once.
Even better, if you have a double sink, fill one with dishwater and one with rinse water.
Soaking cooked-on food from pots and pans will save water because they will wash much easier-don't be tempted to scrape them under running water.
If you like cold drinking water don't run the tap until it gets cold-keep a container in the refrigerator and fill your bottle or glass from there.
Use one glass every day for drinking instead of using a new one every time you want a drink-you will save the water needed to wash several containers.
(Better yet use a bottle.
) Hot water is the same-running the tap till it gets hot sends lots of water down the drain.
Use tap water and heat it in the microwave.
Or, if you want a lot of hot water often, install a point-of-use hot water heater under the sink.
You will find it really convenient to have really hot water instantly.
(And though tankless heaters are fairly expensive, you will save money on water in the long run.
) If you compost vegetable waste instead of running the garbage disposal, you will not only have great garden soil, but you will save lots of water.
Put fruits and vegetables into a pan of water to wash them instead of tap water.
And, once they are clean use the water for your houseplants.
Never use running water to defrost frozen food; put it in the refrigerator to thaw slowly-it's much safer too.
If you drop ice cubes on the floor when filling your glass, put them in the dog's drinking dish, or put them on a plant.
Do the same with water in a cup from a take-away restaurant-put the ice on plants.
(It probably would be a good idea to let it melt first.
) Appliances Many common appliances should be monitored as well.
Running your clothes washer only when it's full can save a considerable amount of water.
When you are evaluating new appliances to purchase, choose the ones that provide adjustments for load size and cycle changes.
(These are likely to be more energy efficient as well.
) Using cold water to wash your dark-colored clothing saves water, energy, and the colors in the clothes.
Bathroom Water Use A big part of your water bill comes from bathroom use.
Lower flow shower heads are available, as are flush control devices that fit into the WC cistern.
Both of these reduce the amount of water used without compromising the function.
The flush control saves about three litres of water per flush.
Pay attention to your water bill.
If there is unexpected high consumption there may be a leak.
If you can't find it, have a contractor check the line from the street.
Here's one you may have never considered-when changing the water in the fish tank, use it to water the plants.
(And stand back and watch them grow-that water is full of good things.
)Also, make sure that you know where the master water valve is for your home and that you can reach it quickly in an emergency.
There are plenty of easy changes you can make.
Just make a list and try to do one new one every few days.
Of course the first and obvious thing is to fix leaky faucets, but so many people put it off! Teach your children how to tightly turn off running water every time they need a drink or wash their hands.
Kitchen and Laundry Hints Saving water in the kitchen is one of the quickest ways to lower your consumption.
The first steps to keep in mind are about the dishwasher.
Most people think that the dishwasher uses a lot of water, but actually running a load takes less than hand washing.
Don't pre-rinse your dishes; scrape them off, but the let machine finish the job.
It was actually designed to do a better job with food bits on surfaces, so don't feel as if you are neglecting an important step.
And only run the dishwasher with a full load.
That seems like an obvious thing, but if you have children, or just oblivious housemates, a half-full dishwasher is often turned on.
If you do need to hand wash big items or pots, don't let the water run continuously, or even while you are rinsing.
Pile up a lot of items and rinse them all at once.
Even better, if you have a double sink, fill one with dishwater and one with rinse water.
Soaking cooked-on food from pots and pans will save water because they will wash much easier-don't be tempted to scrape them under running water.
If you like cold drinking water don't run the tap until it gets cold-keep a container in the refrigerator and fill your bottle or glass from there.
Use one glass every day for drinking instead of using a new one every time you want a drink-you will save the water needed to wash several containers.
(Better yet use a bottle.
) Hot water is the same-running the tap till it gets hot sends lots of water down the drain.
Use tap water and heat it in the microwave.
Or, if you want a lot of hot water often, install a point-of-use hot water heater under the sink.
You will find it really convenient to have really hot water instantly.
(And though tankless heaters are fairly expensive, you will save money on water in the long run.
) If you compost vegetable waste instead of running the garbage disposal, you will not only have great garden soil, but you will save lots of water.
Put fruits and vegetables into a pan of water to wash them instead of tap water.
And, once they are clean use the water for your houseplants.
Never use running water to defrost frozen food; put it in the refrigerator to thaw slowly-it's much safer too.
If you drop ice cubes on the floor when filling your glass, put them in the dog's drinking dish, or put them on a plant.
Do the same with water in a cup from a take-away restaurant-put the ice on plants.
(It probably would be a good idea to let it melt first.
) Appliances Many common appliances should be monitored as well.
Running your clothes washer only when it's full can save a considerable amount of water.
When you are evaluating new appliances to purchase, choose the ones that provide adjustments for load size and cycle changes.
(These are likely to be more energy efficient as well.
) Using cold water to wash your dark-colored clothing saves water, energy, and the colors in the clothes.
Bathroom Water Use A big part of your water bill comes from bathroom use.
Lower flow shower heads are available, as are flush control devices that fit into the WC cistern.
Both of these reduce the amount of water used without compromising the function.
The flush control saves about three litres of water per flush.
Pay attention to your water bill.
If there is unexpected high consumption there may be a leak.
If you can't find it, have a contractor check the line from the street.
Here's one you may have never considered-when changing the water in the fish tank, use it to water the plants.
(And stand back and watch them grow-that water is full of good things.
)Also, make sure that you know where the master water valve is for your home and that you can reach it quickly in an emergency.
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