Water Usage Part 1--Indoors
While we enjoy water that is cheaper than the cost of water in most other cities, we also have less of it, so we have to conserve our water here in the Valley carefully. Today, we’re going to talk about some ways to manage your indoor water usage. In a future blog, we’ll talk about how to manage water for outdoor application.
Let’s take a look at some options.
At the sink (kitchen and bath)
Turn the water off when you aren’t using it, such as while you’re brushing your teeth or shaving. If you keep cold water in the refrigerator, you won’t have to run it and wait for it to ‘come out cool’, which only happens here in the wintertime, anyway. (As a bonus, you won’t be tempted to buy bottles of water if you get a filtered water pitcher!)
In the shower
Think of your shower in terms of minutes to gallons. One minute equals 1000 gallons each year. If you take a ten-minute shower every day, that will add up to about ten thousand gallons per year. So, if you cut that to nine-minute showers, you’ll save a thousand gallons per year.
You can cut that figure by another third by installing a low flow showerhead. A low flow showerhead can reduce your water use by as much as 50%. This is an easy way you can save water.
Bonus tip: Some people use a dot of nail polish on the faucet and one on the fixture to adjust the dial at precisely the temperature they feel is comfortable. This means no fiddling with the dial to get the temperature right every day, which can also save money.
Your appliances
Your dishwasher will use the same amount of water, whether it’s full or empty. Running a full load saves your water and energy. Most newer dishwasher models do not need for dishes to be pre-rinsed, either. Learn to load it from the manual to get the most out of each wash cycle. Not only will you make the most of each load, but your dishes will come out cleaner, too. https://www.wikihow.com/Load-a-Dishwasher
If your washing machine has size levels for loads, use them when you only need to wash a small number of clothes. The second rinse is usually not necessary except for individual circumstances.
Buying Energy Star appliances not only saves energy, but also water, which is something to think about when you need a new machine. Over the long haul, the savings you reap from these appliances have made them a viable option.
If you have a plumbing issue, whether it be a leak or something else, why not give us a call?
911 Heating, Cooling & Plumbing provides quality residential plumbing, commercial plumbing, sink drains and sewers, slab leak detection and repair, and water heater repair and replacement services to Phoenix, AZ, residents at affordable prices. Contact us at 602-795-2900 for all your plumbing needs.
