This time of year always speeds by so fast. One day it is Thanksgiving and the next day it is the end of the year. With all of the visits with friends and family, chaos of shopping for and feeding loved ones, and filling the days off from school and work coming to an end, the end of the year is a time for slowing down and personal reflection.
As you are writing out your list of New Year’s resolutions, make sure that you add water conservation. This is an important responsibility that we all have, and many of us are not as mindful as we could be.
Here are some ideas for you and your household to implement, so that you are sure to be saving more water in the coming year:
- The end of the year is a great time to be watching the sale ads for deals on appliances. This includes washing machines and dishwashers. And, if you make sure to choose those that are energy star certified, there is likely a good tax break included in the purchase of the unit. Dishwashers and washing machines are often designed to use a specified amount of water for the selected load. That means, that if you are washing a half load, you can’t adjust the water usage. Make sure to only wash full loads.
- Now is the time to schedule a maintenance inspection of your plumbing system. It is a good idea to go into the New Year with the peace of mind that your plumbing system is in good shape. During a maintenance inspection, a professional plumber will look at your pipes, fittings, and fixtures to make sure there aren’t any leaks.
- Monitor your meter. Pick a time of day when your house is mostly empty. Look at the water meter and write down the number that is displayed. Then, make sure that no one in the house uses any water for the next 20 minutes. Go back to the meter and check the number. If it is has changed dramatically, then you probably have a leak somewhere. Call a plumber to schedule an appointment.
Add these tips and others to your day-to-day routine to make sure that you and your family are being mindful of how much water is being used in your home. While it might seem strange to be worrying about water-conservation during the winter, you will be happy you did once the spring and summer months arrive.