23 May 2014 Saving money one drop at a time
With temperatures rising during summer, we all find small ways to impact our electric usage and bring down our monthly bills. The heat doesn’t just affect our utility bills, though. During extreme temperatures, our water consumption rises as well. Try a few of these summer water conservation tips this summer to save money as well as the planet.
Outside the home
Don’t set up a regular lawn watering routine; water your lawn when it needs it. To see if the lawn needs watering, walk on the grass. If it springs back, you don’t need water. If it leaves footprints, it needs water.
Water lawns and other vegetation early in the morning or late at night. This can save as much as 30 percent of water lost to evaporation.
Adjust your lawn mower so it does not cut grass so low; setting it a notch or two higher makes it more drought-tolerant.
While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption. Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed to yards and plants.
Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it. If water is running off your lawn, it’s being overwatered. Consider watering for shorter periods of time or split the water times.
Clean sidewalks, driveways and patios with a broom, not a hose.
Wash your car with a bucket, not a hose. A hose can use as much as six gallons of water per minute while a bucket uses only a few gallons for the entire job.
Inside the home
Only run dishwashers and washing machines when full. This can save up to 1,000 gallons per month.
Keep cold water in the refrigerator. You’ll have cold water when needed without running the faucet as much.
Short summer showers are much better than a bath. A bath can use up to 70 gallons of water; a short shower about 10 to 20 gallons. Keep your shower to less than 5 minutes, and you’ll save up to 1,000 gallons per month.
Don’t let the water run when brushing teeth or shaving. This can save about 8 gallons of water per day per activity.
Consider installing a low-flow showerhead. Not sure if your home has one? Try the milk carton test. Open an empty, half-gallon cardboard milk carton and hold it up to the shower while it’s fully on. If it fills in less than 10 seconds, your shower could use an energy-efficient showerhead. Install low-flow heads on faucets, too.
Check to see if your toilet is leaking. An easy way to do this is to place a drop of food coloring in the tank. If the color tints the water in the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak.
When it comes to conserving water, small adjustments like these can have a big impact. Remember to monitor your water bill monthly for unusually high use that could help you discover a water leak.
For more energy efficiency tips, visit Conway Corporation’s website at conwaycorp.com and click on the Energy Smart quick link.
