When summer temperatures soar, so does our need for water. In fact, a family’s summer water usage can jump by as much as 50%. For this reason, conserving water is an especially important task. In this month’s blog, the home comfort specialists at Main Stream Mechanical share easy tips you can follow to help preserve water this summer.
Benefits of Saving Water
Developing good water conservation habits offers financial and environmental benefits. Doing so will lower your water and utility bills and provide insurance for your water supply. Conserving water also reduces your carbon footprint. That’s right. When you use less water, the demand for energy and fuel to process and distribute water to your home is significantly reduced.
Tips to Conserve Water
We rely on water to keep our families, pets, lawns, and gardens hydrated, and meet our laundry, cleaning, and bathing needs. Fortunately, you can use household water efficiently without sacrificing your home comforts. Simple water-saving tips include:
1. Inspecting plumbing fixtures - Routinely inspect your plumbing fixtures for leaks. Be sure to include faucets, toilets, couplings and pipes, outdoor sprinklers, and hoses. Address any concerns with your home comfort specialist who can assess and repair trouble spots.
2. Upgrading appliances - The next time you’re in the market for a new plumbing fixture or appliance, look for the Energy Star approval. Homes with efficient plumbing systems yield water and utility savings as well as financial incentives from purchase or installation rebates.
3. Limiting shower time - You can save several gallons of water by shortening your shower to 10 minutes or less. For added conservation, install a low-flow showerhead to keep water usage amounts at a minimum.
4. Running your dishwasher and washing machine with full loads - Make the most of your cleaning by using your machines to their full capacity. Be sure to select the correct load size so the appropriate amount of water is dispensed.
5. Turning off the faucet - Leaving the water running each time you brush your teeth uses an average of four gallons. By turning off the tap, you can save up to 10 gallons of water daily.
And as you work in the yard this summer, remember these outside water-saving tips:
Use water collected by a dehumidifier or a rain barrel to water your plant and vegetable gardens.
Water your lawn early in the morning and only when it needs it.
Clean dirt and debris from paved and deck surfaces with a broom instead of rinsing with water.
Wash your car using a bucket instead of running water.
Well Water Conservation
Abnormally dry weather conditions are particularly concerning if you have a private well. You can prevent your well from running dry by scheduling your water usage. Wells work best when large amounts of water are used and then given ample time to recover before additional use.
Plumbing Installation, Maintenance, and Repair in NH and MA
Water is a precious, yet limited resource during the warm weather months. If you have questions about the water-saving features of your plumbing appliances and systems, or if you’d like a plumbing inspection to offer you peace of mind, contact our home comfort specialists. We can provide routine maintenance checks on your plumbing system to ensure they’re working at peak efficiency.