Tips to Spend Less on Water This Summer
During the hottest part of the year, many homeowners receive less than 3 ½ inches of rain per month. Considering the hot Southern Illinois summer climate, that’s not a lot of water for every need – kitchen and bathroom usage, laundry, and watering the lawn, for example.
For every homeowner concerned about water conservation, here are some useful tips to help reduce consumption and save money on the water bill.
Look for Water-Saving Devices
On average, Americans use 82 gallons of water per day per person.
Installing a water-saving device is one of the best investments that a homeowner who cares about water conservation can make. An efficient plumbing upgrade that saves water will soon pay for itself.
In terms of water conservation, the bathroom is the perfect place to start because that’s where over half of a typical home’s indoor water usage occurs.
To address this issue, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends that homeowners switch to more efficient Water-Sense fixtures. These are products and services certified by the EPA to perform as well as or better than regular items while using at least 20% less water.
- Low-flow showerheads – Replacing just one old-style inefficient model with a WaterSense low-flow showerhead saves 4 gallons of water per shower? Doing the math, for a family of four that takes just one daily shower apiece, nearly 6000 gallons of water are saved annually.
- That is enough water for almost 150 loads of laundry, to put that number in perspective.
- That also equates to around $140 a year in water and electricity savings.
- Water-saving toilets – By replacing every old, inefficient model in the home with a WaterSense water-saving toilet, the typical family conserves 13,000 gallons of water annually and saves approximately $130 on their water bill.
According to the EPA, more-efficient WaterSense bathroom fixtures can pay for themselves within one year.
Double-check Your Lawn-Care Routine
Outdoor use, such as watering the lawn, accounts for at least 30% of the typical American home’s water consumption. In arid areas or during the hottest times of the year, that number can be as high as 60%.
Watering the average-sized US lawn for just 20 minutes per day for an entire week is the same as running the bathroom shower nonstop for four days – more than 800 showers.
Although the home’s lawn and landscaping need proper watering to thrive, some water conservation strategies can greatly reduce consumption.
First, it is recommended that morning is the best time to water the lawn. This is when it is cooler, and the winds are generally calmer. This means less evaporation and, therefore, less usage. 50% of outdoor water is lost because of evaporation, wind, and inefficient irrigation.
Second, take advantage of rainy days. On average, Murphysboro enjoys 23 days a month during the summer, where it receives at least some rainfall. Savvy homeowners keep an eye on the weather and adjust their watering schedules accordingly.
Third, consider installing an efficient EPA-rated automatic irrigation system. A poorly-maintained, carelessly-operated lawn irrigation system can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water per year.
On the other hand, replacing a perfectly functioning, clock-based controller with a WaterSense-labeled system installed by a certified special can reduce irrigation water use by 30% – saving up to 15,000 gallons of water.
Other Water-Saving Tips to Consider
Homeowners who think outside the box about water conservation and who proactively take steps will find that there are several ways to cut the water bill:
- Check for leaks – The typical household wastes 9400 gallons of water due to leaks – the equivalent of over 300 loads of laundry.
- Run full dishwasher loads – This saves 320 gallons of water per year.
- Turn off the bathroom faucet – Turning off the water during brushing and shaving saves 8 gallons of water each day and 10 gallons per shave. Assuming twice-daily brushing and shaving five times a week, that is 5700 gallons of water per person per year.
- Turn off the kitchen sink – Running the water for just 5 minutes while washing dishes wastes 10 gallons of water.
About A & W Plumbing and Heating Inc.
For over 15 years, A & W Plumbing and Heating, Inc. has been the most-trusted plumbing resource for homeowners in Southern Illinois. From sales to regularly-scheduled maintenance to leak detection to after-hours emergencies, A & W is there for every need. Contact them today for plumbing services in Murphysboro.
