As water costs rise and our environmental awareness increases, we all want to do our bit to help the planet and hopefully save some cash at the same time. A dripping tap here or an extra-long shower there doesn’t seem like much, but it all adds up. So, to help you make an impactful change, here are some ways to conserve water around your home.
Stop the leaks
How often have you walked past that dripping tap and thought I must fix that, yet you never get around to it? It doesn’t seem to drip too much – just a little – but you could be wasting over 20,000 litres of water a year. A professional plumbing company such as Capital Plumbing, should be able to change your washers or if need be, locate leaks and repair them – you’ll certainly notice the difference when your next water bill arrives, so what are you waiting for?
Reduce your shower time
Gone are the days when we could shower for an hour. Your planet needs you. Switching from a 45 minute shower to a more sustainable four or five minutes saves an enormous amount of water. By installing low flow, water efficient shower heads, you’ll save even more of that precious H2O. Again, if you don’t feel confident to make the change yourself, call a plumber.
Only use your Dishwasher when it’s full
It seems obvious but sometimes we need a gentle reminder; there’s water to be saved by not using your dishwasher to wash three glasses, a plate and a couple of pieces of cutlery. Exercise restraint and hold off until you’ve filled the machine – you could even hold a dinner party in order to fill the thing – be social and save water. Your friends – and the environment – will thank you for it.
Hoses, water-tanks and buckets
A three-in-one tip for your gardens: much like your shower head, fit your hose with a water efficient trigger; this will enable you to control your water output with greater accuracy. Install a water-tank and collect all that free water that falls from the sky; use it for your garden, flushing toilets or washing the car. Or use a bucket and look for water efficient (or even waterless) car-washing products; these will reduce the amount of water needed to clean your vehicle.
Redirect grey water
Grey water is waste water from your bath, shower or washing machine. It’s estimated that between 50 to 80 per cent of waste water from households is grey. Using grey water on gardens during periods of low rain-fall or drought is an excellent way to keep plants thriving – though be sure to use garden friendly detergents in your washing machine (look for low salt, low phosphorous and biodegradable on the pack). There are a lot of things to consider when using grey water (especially in regard to fruit and vegetable production) so be sure to research this option thoroughly.
Hopefully you have found this article informative and helpful. What other methods do you use to try and conserve water? Leave a comment to share your thoughts.
Recent comments