Changing your daily habits can help to save energy and conserve natural resources. But what about families with strong-willed children who aren’t willing to cut a shower short or busy parents who can’t wait to wash a sports uniform until there are enough darks to make a full load? Learn how to conserve water without making drastic changes to your busy lifestyle. Here are some ways to get your family on board with conserving water without changing your daily habits too much.
Use Low-flow Fixtures
This is probably the most effective step you can take to conserve water around your home. You can purchase low-flow fixtures for all the water applications in your home, including kitchen faucets, bathroom sinks and utility sinks. They are pretty easy to swap out. Just remove the old aerator and install the new one. The low-flow device will limit the force of water that can move through the fixture, so no matter how much you turn the tap on, a limited amount of water comes out. You don’t even need to tell your family you’re making a change. They probably won’t even notice a difference.
Before you buy the devices, know what to look for when choosing a low-flow fixture. The federal government has established guidelines for shower heads and faucets. Shower heads must be rated less than 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM) at 80 pounds per square inch (PSI) of water pressure, while fixtures must also be below 2.5 GPM at 80 PSI or 2.2 GPM for 60 PSI. The Department of Energy estimates that homeowners can save as much as 60 percent water savings just by installing low-flow fixtures in their home. That’s an impressive savings considering you won’t have to cajole a single family member into limiting water use.
Fix Leaks
Don’t let leaks in plumbing and fixtures go unchecked. The Department of Energy states that a faucet that leaks just one drip every second can amount to a $1 increase in your water bill. One drip every second accumulates to over 3,000 wasted gallons of water in 1 year. Keep your eye on the fixtures around your Stockbridge home, and be diligent about calling a plumber when you notice leaky plumbing.
Upgrade Appliances
When the time comes to put appliances to rest, invest in new, energy-efficient, water-saving systems. Clothes washers and dishwashers that use less water let you easily conserve water without changing a single lifestyle factor. You can still run three-quarter loads and have peace of mind that you’re not wasting too much water.
If you’d like to learn how to conserve water or improve your household’s energy efficiency, contact the professionals at Reliable Heating & Air today! Our highly trained experts are happy to help you explore technologies that encourage water savings. Be sure to ask about other available products to make your home even greener. We carry a variety of furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters and ventilation systems that conserve energy without sacrificing comfort. Give us a call today or visit our website for more information.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons