06/02/2015
Typical kitchen and bathroom taps use 4-7 gallons (15-26 liters) of water each minute. A substantial amount of that water runs straight down the drain because in so many years people still have not learned to save water. If you are not one of them and think about water saving advantages at your home, the following ideas will come in handy.
- Low-flow faucet aerators will help you to cut on your water use and save money on your water bills.
Installing a low-flow faucet aerator is a great way to save water in case if your current faucet runs more than 3 gallons (11 liters) per minute. Faucet aerators substitute the faucet head screens, reducing the flow by means of adding air to the water spray. A faucet aerator also cuts on splashing, conserving water and improving the faucet operation. Tap water use can be reduced up to 50% by adding low-flow aerators to your taps and saving 1100 to 1500 gallons (4000-6000 liters) of water each month. A faucet aerator usually costs $5-10 and is easy to install by a qualified plumber.
- Low-flow shower heads
Conventional shower heads spread around 5-8 gallons (19-30 liters) of water every minute in comparison with new low-flow models that distribute 2.5 gallons (10 liters) of water per minute, reducing your five-minute shower usage from 40 to 12.5 gallons (150 to 50 liters) of water. Ultra low-flow shower heads only use from 0.8 to 1.5 gallons (3-6 liters) of water per minute and reduce your average usage to 7.5 gallons (28 liters) during one shower. If you feel comfortable enough to limit your shower time to 5 minutes and use water-saving low-flow shower heads, you can cut your shower water usage by 50%, saving up to 1100 gallons (4000 liters) of water each month. Besides, you can decrease your water heating costs and save money on electric or gas bills.
- Do not “flush” your money down the toilet drain
If you compare a low-flush toilet with a full-flush counterpart, you will see a significant drop in water use. Most low-flush models consume 1.6 gallons (6 liters) per flush in comparison with full-flush toilets that consume 3.5 gallons (13 liters) per flush. You can save up to 1300 gallons (5000 liters) of water each month by updating your old toilet to a new eco-friendly one.Each of the described water conservation ideas can help you save more than 1000 gallons (3800 liters) of water per month and approximately $150 per year in your water bill. If you have more questions about water saving advantages or have already made up your mind and want to update your toilet, faucets and showerheads, consult our plumbing experts at Brea/Orange County Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning.
