We all know that water is essential to human life. And we also know that water is a natural resource that is not unlimited. But it can be challenging to find ways to save water that are not drastically impractical, annoying, or costly. So most homeowners just sigh and give up. However, we have a few tips that you can apply to your own home that will help you save water without feeling like you are giving up on the modern convenience of indoor plumbing.
Go To The Carwash!
This suggestion might sound crazy, but it is true! Think about how long it takes you to wash your car and how much of that time you spend with the hose running. The average hose uses about 10 gallons of water per minute. So in 10 minutes, you have used 100 gallons of water. And most of us will admit to taking longer than 10 minutes to get the car wet and then thoroughly rinsed. So maybe 120 to 150 gallons of water per at-home car wash is a more reasonable estimate.
Now for the staggering reveal. The average drive-through carwash uses only about 35 gallons of water per car. And the most efficient systems can wash a car using less than 20 gallons of water. It is also important to note that car washes are forced to maintain very water-efficient processes, including methods to reuse the water whenever possible. So while you are paying a little bit for a basic car wash, the amount of water that you are saving is very impressive and a great benefit to the environment.
Don’t Wash Your Dishes!
Well, that is not really the whole truth. What we mean is don’t hand wash your dishes. Most homeowners have no idea how much water their dishwasher uses, And they honestly don’t care as long as it allows them to avoid dishpan hands. But you might feel better about your choice to load the dishwasher rather than piling up plates and cups in the sink to wash by hand. The average dishwasher uses only 5 gallons of water per cycle. Studies have found that handwashing the same amount of dishes uses about 27 gallons of water or over five times more! Who needs more reason than that to stick with your dishwasher?
Should We Quit Showering Too?
No one is advocating a no shower rule. But it is a good idea to update your shower head to a newer low volume model. In 1992, a shower head flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute became federally mandated. If your shower head was installed before 1992, then it could be using as much as 3.5 gallons per minute or more.
These small numbers might not seem too impressive, but the average person spends just over 8 minutes showering. So you could be enjoying a new showerhead with amazing features as well as saving 8 gallons of water each day. Over the course of a single year, you would be saving almost 3,000 gallons of water or about 1/3 of the water it takes to fill the average residential swimming pool. That is worth the trip to the big box store to pick out a new showerhead, and the few minutes it takes to install it.
Look For Leaks
It only takes a few minutes to walk around your home and look for leaks at appliances that use water, faucets, showers, and hose bibs. Also, take a moment to inspect your hot water tank for drips coming from the drain valve, supply pipe, or pressure relief valve. If you notice any leaks in your home, call (318) 202-9144 to schedule an appointment with a Gordon AC & Plumbing pro. After inspecting the issue, he or she will provide you with a complete cost quote for any needed repairs. And the best part of this is that small leaks found early are far less expensive to repair. And you are also saving yourself the hassle and expense of repairing water damage from a tiny leak or drip that turned into a geyser.
Water is not free, nor is it in unlimited supply. Start saving water around your house. It’s good for the environment, and it is good for your wallet.
