Every drop of water adds up, and reducing water use, and water heating costs has a lot to do with reducing waste. Here are some things you can do to save water and reduce your energy bills year-round:
- Install aerators in kitchen and bathroom faucets. These devices reduce the flow from taps without reducing the force of the water.
- Install low-flow shower heads. These water saving devices now come in a variety of styles designed to deliver good water pressure, and meet most any aesthetic need.
- Don’t run your dishwasher until it is full. If you are washing dishes by hand, wash and rinse in separate sink compartments, or in pans, not under running water in order to save water.
- Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible, and do full loads of laundry. Also consider buying an Energy-Star rated clothes washer, which use less water than conventional washers.
- Install a Thermostatic Mixing Valve on your water heater. Not only does this prevent scalds, it can extend the supply from your water heater, reducing the amount of water you have to heat. It can also eliminate cold showers without having to upgrade to a larger water heater!
- Turn the water heater down to its lowest setting when you go on vacation. Water heaters can lose half their heat through the tank and up the flue under normal conditions. These losses continue even when nobody is around to use hot water.
- Wrap the tank with a fiberglass water heater blanket and wrap hot water pipes to reduce standby losses.
- Small drips add up. Fixing leaky faucets and running toilets can save thousands of gallons of water each year!
- Replace leaking tub/shower diverters. Studies have shown that you can save more water by replacing a leaking shower diverter than you can by installing a low-flow showerhead!
While all of these items can be done by handy homeowners, be sure you know what you are doing before working on your home’s plumbing. And if you need help, BelRed’ licensed plumbers are here to meet all of your Seattle area home’s plumbing needs. Call us today to schedule a plumbing inspection, and see how you can save water, and save money!
