Did you know that most households in the United States use an average of 300 gallons per day according to the US Environmental Protection Agency? You probably don’t even realize the biggest culprits of wasting water.
Between old fixtures, inefficient appliances, faulty plumbing and old habits, it is easy to waste a considerable amount of water each day in a typical household. For example, a toilet that has a faulty flapper valve can waste gallons of water per hour as it constantly runs and refills the tank. Here are 10 ways that you may be wasting water without being aware of it:
1) Using your toilet as a trash can. Representing almost a third of a household’s total indoor consumption, toilets are the biggest source of water use in your home. Every time you flush a facial tissue or feminine product, you waste five to seven gallons of water. Not to mention, flushing something other than human waste and toilet paper is bad for your pipes and drains!
2) Taking baths and long showers. The average American shower uses 17.2 gallons of water and lasts up to 8 minutes – that’s a lot of water. Shortening your showers can make a huge difference.
3) Conventional showerheads. Maybe consider switching to a low-flow showerhead, which uses about 2 gallons of water per minute.
4) Leaky pipes. According toThe US News Reports, an average household can leak more than 10,000 gallons of water per year.It’s important to keep an eye out for leaks around your toilet, faucets, hose bibbs and any other plumbing fixture that you use often.Repair or replace leaking water lines as soon as possible, and keep an eye on your water bill month to month to spot hidden leaks.
5) Laundry loads that are only half full. Ensure that each load of laundry you do is pretty full. This will be more cost-effective in the long run than doing multiple smaller loads.
6) Running a dishwasher that’s not completely full. Similar to #5,make sure your dishwasher is completely full before you run it. In fact, you should consider running it on a “light” cycle if a “normal cycle” isn’t necessary.
7) Washing dishes with running water. Instead, fill up your sink with soap and water and let the dishes soak. After a few minutes, go ahead and wash them off!
8) Conventional toilets. If you have an older toilet, it could be using up to two gallons more water than a newer low-flush or high-efficiency toilet.
9) Overwatering your lawn. During the summertime, it’s best to water your lawn in the morning (5-10am) because the air is cooler and water evaporates more slowly. Additionally, it’s really only necessary to water it twice a week.
10) Running the water while brushing your teeth. If you have the habit of running the water when you’re brushing your teeth, simply remind yourself to turn it off. If you think about it, there is no reason the water needs to be running. This also goes for washing your face!
If you have any questions, give us a call at 1-800-989-0299. We’re here 24/7 for all your plumbing and HVAC needs!