Every day, areas around the world struggle with a lack of water. As global warming becomes more and more apparent, locations prone to droughts are feeling the effects. Even if you don’t live in one of these areas, we are all shaped and affected by what’s happening around the world even if it isn’t felt immediately. One day, you could experience the same misfortune. It’s important to think about how and when you’re using our earth’s resources and cut down where you can to save our planet. Here are a few ways you can start conserving water every day. Though they may seem small, these little things add up to create a greater change for the good of everyone.
Dishwasher
Did you know that dishwashers use way less water than hand-washing a load of dishes? Find yourself an energy-saving dishwasher that specifies how much water it’s using to really be efficient. Dishwashers not only use less water, they also usually clean your dishes way better and faster than you can. Of course, there are some items that may not be dishwasher safe. In this case, it’s best to fill up your sink with water to wash and rinse them than let the tap run while you wash. Another tip is to wait to run the dishwasher until it’s totally full. This will have you doing fewer loads at a time, saving more water.
Washer
The same idea applies to a washing machine. Not many people hand wash their clothes these days, but a lot of people are doing several loads of laundry a week. If you can, try to keep the laundry loads to only once a week, or even once every two weeks. This will save you both time and a lot of water.
Hot Water Heater
Some of us may let the water run in the shower for a whole 5 minutes before it’s hot enough for us to jump in. If this is the case, you may want to call one of your local plumbing companies to scope out your hot water heater. Getting your water heater regularly serviced will assure your water is heating up quickly, so there’s no need to sit around wasting precious drops. Local plumbing companies have all sorts of ways to get your heat just right. At Nautilus Plumbing we bring you comfort and save you money when it comes to servicing water heaters.
Leaks
Many people don’t realize how much water they’re wasting due to leaks they don’t know about. From a faulty faucet, leaky pipes, or a broken shower head, leaks cause gallons of wasted water every year. If you’re conserving water where you can and your water bill still seems way too high, call one of your local plumber companies to assess the problem. Nautilus Plumbing will send over a plumbing specialist to check all the nooks and crannies of your home to find the source of leakage.
Mindful Washing
A lot of the water we waste is just through pure habit. Being mindful of when you have water running is a great start to being intentional about your water usage. Turning off the water while brushing your teeth or avoiding letting it run while you wash your hands are two places you can start. You may also want to cut down on the number of showers you take in one day or set a timer to make sure you’re not taking one that’s wasting tons of water. Letting your body build its natural oils is really good for your skin, so skipping a shower every other day will actually do your body good!
If It’s Yellow Let It Mellow
Not everyone has the appetite for this tip but avoiding flushing the toilet when you urinate is a great way to save water. Flushing the water every time you use the bathroom is a huge waste of water. If you’re comfortable enough with your roommates or family to do so, minimizing flushing can be a huge water saver.
Rain Barrel
Leaving a barrel or bucket outside to collect rain is also a great way to conserve water. This water is great to use when watering plants, washing your car, dog, or any number of things.
There are many ways to save water that your local plumbing companies can help you implement. Even routing your greywater to be reusable is an option. If you’re looking to conserve water today and aren’t sure where to start, call Nautilus Plumbing at 323-629-4627. We will assess your housing situation and get you headed on the right path today.