Water Conservation Tips That Save The Planet And Your Wallet

Taking time to consider how you manage the resources in your life is never a bad idea. This especially rings true when it comes to household water usage. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that the average family can waste 180 gallons of water a week, equaling 9,400 gallons of water annually. The agency also communicates that 40 out of 50 state water managers expect to experience some degree of water shortages over the next decade.

This suggests that costly water waste means heavy blows to the nation’s future water security-- and to your budget.

Here are some tweaks to the water efficiency of your home that can have you on your way to doing your part to help national water conservation efforts and can save you a pretty penny along the way.

Use intentional, mindful practices when it comes to your water use. One easy way to reduce your water waste today is by keeping faucets turned off when they aren’t in use. Keep your faucets turned off as often as possible when brushing teeth and washing dishes.

When you do need to keep the faucet flowing, salvage the water you use. Wash and rinse your dishes in plastic bins or keep a bucket in your shower as you wait for the water to heat up. When you need to water plants, use this salvaged water. You can even use saved water to flush the toilet.

Make efficient use of dishwashers and washing machines by ensuring you’re only running them when they are full.

According to The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 10 percent of homes lose 90 gallons or more of water daily due to common leaks. These leaks often come in the form of old or worn-out fixture parts. That usual suspects are toilet flappers, faucet valve stem washers, shower valve cartridges, and fixture gaskets and o-rings.

Turf and grasses require a great deal of water to upkeep in your yard. Instead, landscape using xeriscape (a style of landscape design that requires little or no irrigation or maintenance) principles to cut water use drastically.

Make sure you are watering only when necessary. You can easily check for a parched yard by examining your soil’s moisture depth. Use a shovel or soil probe to check the first two to three inches of soil, if they are dry, watering is appropriate. This may also be a good time to mention that more plants die from over-watering than under-watering.

Other water-savvy tips for keeping a yard hydrated is to use salvaged water, install drip irrigation systems for shrubs and trees that directly water roots, and make use of drain water from rain gutters and HVAC systems by directing them to areas of your yard that need the extra moisture boost.

Local water providers, Like KC Water , offer educational resources for homeowners and may even host landscape classes. You’re most likely to find workshops in the spring and fall.

Have mercy on your pipes and your water bills by checking your water pressure is appropriate for your home. A single-story home will typically use a pressure of 40 to 45 psi (pounds per square inch), while two-story and three-story homes use 45-50 psi and 50-55 psi, respectively. However, it’s very common that homeowners unknowingly use too high of a water pressure.

If you aren’t sure what pressure would be appropriate for your home, have a plumber check it for you.  Lutz Plumbing can also help you determine if you should opt to have a pressure reducing valve (PRV) installed on your main line. This may be particularly appropriate in homes using 60 psi. Having this high of a pressure not only increases water waste, but it wreaks havoc on your plumbing system and can lead to costly repairs.

(Water pressure pro tip: Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. Were a pipe to burst, this could save gallons of water and prevent damage.)

Keep track of your water bills to monitor the amount of water you’re using monthly. This is also a good way to track spikes in your usage, which could indicate a water leak.

Another way to check for leaks is to read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If there is a change in the second reading, you may have a leak in your home and should Immediately contact a licensed and insured plumber to run leak detection and service to prevent water damage.

When planning updates to your home, check The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Energy website. There, you will find a comprehensive list of financial resources, programs, and tax incentives for installing energy efficient fixtures in your home, including water heaters.

A water efficient home, like Rome, isn’t built in one day. Take it one or two improvements at a time. Any change, even small, will be a step toward contributing to a more sustainable planet, all while earning you savings on your utility bills. Give Lutz Plumbing a call today at 913-888-9500 and let us help you lower your bills, while you're also saving the planet.