In today’s world, environmental conservation is a major consideration that affects the appliances we purchase, the home fixtures we install, and how we go about our daily activities. One of the most vital eco-friendly practices that we engage in is water conservation. With droughts affecting many portions of the United States, we should be concerned with how much water we use on a day-to-day basis. When it comes to plumbing, taking some simple measures can reduce your water usage significantly.
Investigate Toilet Replacement
Toilets are standard fixtures in every home, but some toilets use more water than others. In fact, a standard toilet can contribute to up to 30% of your water bill, depending on how many times you flush your toilet every day. Luckily, there are conservation-friendly toilets on the market that you can buy to reduce the amount of water you use in the bathroom.
Check for Leaks
Hidden water leaks are common waste culprits. Always perform regular inspections of your pipes, faucets, and fixtures. If you find a leak, contact a plumber to fix it immediately. Your water meter could indicate a hidden leak as well – if you find that the meter reading suddenly changes without you turning on the faucet, you may have a leak somewhere.
Upgrade Your Fixtures
Many new homes have up-to-date, energy-efficient appliances and fixtures that help conserve water. Older homes do not have these installations. If you have older models of the following appliances or fixtures, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient version:
- Kitchen faucets
- Bathroom faucets
- Showerheads
- Dishwashers
- Washing machines
Replace the Showerhead
We use lots of water when we take a shower, often more than we realize. Since the water is constantly moving down the drain, it’s hard for us to notice how much we use while showering. Installing a water-efficient showerhead can help you cut your water usage by nearly 50% – a standard showerhead uses 4.5 gallons of water per minute, whereas an efficient showerhead uses 2.5 gallons per minute.
Want to install maximum water-saving capabilities in your Santa Cruz plumbing system? Mr. Rooter Plumbing can help. Contact us today to receive a free job estimate.