Saving Water around the House
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In this day and age water is becoming recognised more and more for the precious commodity it is, especially here in Australia. With water restrictions in full force during both winter and summer, we are being asked to do everything we can to save water. Below are some simple tips to help you save water throughout the home.
Start off by fixing any leaks
Did you know that a leaking tap can waste up to 20,000 litres of water in a year? Find any leaks in your home by first turning off all taps in the home, then check your water meter. Take note of the reading. Then, in a few hours, check the meter reading again. Provided no water was used during those few hours (you might want to do this on a day when everyone is out of the house) the two readings should be the same. If you notice a discrepancy then there's a chance you have a leak and you'll need to work out where it's coming from, or hire a plumber to find it for you.
Ensure your hot water has a short distance to travel
It may seem simple, but have you ever considered just how far the hot water has to travel in your home to reach the tap? Install the water heater as close to the bathroom, laundry and kitchen as possible to decrease the distance the hot water has to travel. This will save both water and energy, as you will have less of a wait for hot water to come out of your taps and your water heater will have to do less work to keep the water hot. You may even find that you can decrease the temperature it is heating to as well.
You can also insulate your hot water pipes. This helps to prevent the water from cooling down while it is travelling to your tap from the hot water system.
Install flow regulators in taps
Installing flow regulators in your taps can also save water. Flow regulators aerate the water, restricting water flow while maintaining the pressure.
Tips for saving water in the kitchen
The kitchen is one of the main water users in the house, with roughly 10% of all household water going there for cooking, cleaning and drinking. Of this, almost all of it goes to the dishwasher.
Dishwasher water saving tips
- Only run the dishwasher when you have a full load.
- Replace any worn gaskets on the dishwasher and service it regularly
- If you plan on installing a new dishwasher or replacing the old one, look for a water efficient one. Check the WELS (National Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme) label and try to find one with a high star rating. An efficient dishwasher won't just save you water, it will cut down on your electricity bill as well.
Other kitchen water saving tips
Some other advice for saving water in the kitchen includes:
- When hand washing dishes, don't rinse them under a running tap. Instead either fill your second sink with rinsing water or, if you don't have a second sink, use a bucket or similar as your rinsing basin.
- While waiting for the water to warm up, place a jug underneath the tap so you can collect the water. This water can then be used for drinking, washing veggies or watering the plants.
Tips for saving water in the bathroom
Unsurprisingly, the bathroom is another big water user, with about 40% of your household water going there and half of that being flushed down the toilet. Some quick tips to saving water in the bathroom include:
- Install a water saving (low flow) showerhead.
- Install a dual flush toilet and you'll potentially use up to 60% less water
- Take shorter showers – place a shower timer on the wall of your shower
- Make sure your hot water system's temperature isn't set too high. Adding large quantities of cold water to your shower to even out the temperature is wasteful
- Place a bucket in the shower to collect the water while you're waiting for it to reach the desired temperature. This water can then be used on plants, to wash dishes or anywhere else in the house
- While brushing your teeth, turn the tap off. A running tap can use about 16L of water per minute
Tips for saving water in the laundry
The laundry is the next big water user, with 15-20% of the water going there. Considering that generally the only appliance in the laundry is the washing machine, I think we know where to lay the blame.
- Wash clothes only when you have a full load or set the water level appropriately
- Use cold water to wash clothes whenever possible
- If you are looking to buy a washing machine, consider a front loader as they are more water efficient than top loaders. You should also look for one with a high star rating, 4 or more stars is best.
Greywater
Greywater is the water from your baths, showers, laundry sinks and washing machines. While this water may be unsuitable for drinking it is perfect for use on your garden and can be a great water saving technique. To use greywater you need to set up diversion pipes that will intercept the water before it enters the sewerage system. Depending on where you live and how your house is set up this can either be a simple DIY procedure, or something that you need to call on the help of a plumber for. We recommend using a licensed plumber to ensure the best result.
The benefits of using greywater aren't just in decreased water usage, however. Using your greywater will also reduce your sewage output and mean less impact on the environment.
Greywater from your bathroom, despite containing soaps, shampoos and toothpaste among other things, is considered safe for your garden.
Greywater from the laundry will also contain soaps and sediment from your clothes. Many laundry soaps and detergent can be harmful to your garden so unless you are using a brand that you know to be safe, it is recommended that you only use the water from your washing machine's rinse cycle as greywater for your garden.
Greywater from the kitchen is generally considered too contaminated with cooking oils and fats and food particles for it to be safe for use in the garden.
Rainwater
Rainwater collection tanks are quickly becoming a common site in the suburbs, and not without good reason. Using rainwater is great for a variety of reasons, from saving on water bills (since rain water is free) to reducing the load on stormwater systems during times of high rainfall.
Rainwater can be used in the home and in the garden. In some rural areas where there is little pollution rainwater can be safe for all domestic purposes, however closer to the cities it's recommended that rainwater is not used for drinking. However it can still be used for flushing toilets, washing clothes and having showers – over 50% of your daily water use.
Installation of a rainwater tank isn't very complicated and in some states you can even receive a rebate from the government to help cover costs. There are also a variety of shapes, sizes and styles of tanks so that no matter what your living situation may be you'll be able to find something suitable. Find a water tank installer with Service Central today.
Sustainability Quotes
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