Compared to 200 years ago, we all use roughly 8 times more water now than we did back then. That’s a pretty hefty change, particularly when you consider that water is a limited resource. So, doing whatever we can to save water at home is definitely a good idea, especially in light of a recent BBC article that highlighted the fact that while many of us think we’re only in the shower for five minutes, we’re actually in there for eight.
So what can we do to save water? Here are our three top tips on how to save water and as a beneficial side effect save energy as well.
1. Trick your appliances
While you could choose to buy entirely new bathroom suites in order to be more efficient in your water use, this isn’t always necessary as there are things you can do to reduce the amount of water used by your current appliances.
For instance, putting a brick into your toilet tank is one tactic that has been used for years – and it really works. In the average home, this could save up to 10 gallons of water a day so it’s definitely a significant saving. This works because the weight of the brick displaces some of the water, which means the toilet is able to flush with less.
You can also get devices that you can install on your power shower to reduce the pressure of the water. This is something that many of us might like to consider: the article mentioned above also raised the point that, contrary to popular belief, if you use a power shower you could well be using double the amount of water and energy you’d use if you had a bath.
2. Time yourself
Staying with bathrooms for the moment, if you are unable to stomach the thought of giving up your power shower there is another innovative trick you could try. Find yourself a song you love, preferably one that lasts for only three or four minutes. Play it while you’re in the shower and use it as a timer – when the song ends, it’s time to get out of the shower. You will also save on your hot and more importantly on that energy bill.
3. Recycle, recycle, recycle
We’re always being told to recycle our paper, plastic and glass, and water is something else that we could all make more of an effort to recycle. Quite often, we could get more use out of the same water than we actually do so this makes sense. A good example is the washing up water: it might not be especially appetizing for you to drink, but your garden isn’t quite as fussy. Using the washing up water for your plants instead of fresh water could save you a decent amount, particularly in summer.
Another good tactic is to collect rain water in barrels or drums. This can then be used to water your garden, and you can even install systems in your house that allow you to use collected rainwater for plumbing systems.
These are just a few of the things you can do to use less water in your house – you’re probably able to come up with loads more, so why not put them to the test? Not only are you doing your part for water conservation but you are also contributing to energy conservation; a double benefit for the environment.
Image by Diganta Talukdar under CC BY
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Filed under: Conservation
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