Fresh water is a limited resource, and water that is clean enough to drink is even more limited in supply. Conserving water is not only smart for the environment, but when you reduce your daily water use, you can also save money on both your water bill and your utility bills, because there is less water that needs to be heated. By making the following easy changes in your Portland home, you can dramatically reduce your daily water use without sacrificing your comfort or lifestyle:
- Replace Your Toilet: The toilet is responsible for about 27 percent of a home’s daily water usage. Replace an older model toilet with a new water-efficient one, and you can reduce your water usage by up to 60 percent.
- Change the Shower Head: Older shower heads can use almost 6 gallons of water per minute. Using simple design changes, new low-flow shower heads can give you a comfortable shower while reducing the water usage to under 2.5 gallons per minute.
- Change Aerators: One the end of each faucet is a device called an aerator, which restricts the flow of water. Replacing the aerator on every kitchen and bathroom faucet with a low-flow version can cut your water consumption by at least half for those fixtures.
- Upgrade the Washing Machine: When it is time for a new clothes washer, choose a high-efficiency model. Older washing machines can use over 50 gallons per load, while more-efficient models can use less than half the water per load.
- Fix Leaks Immediately: Have your plumber fix any leaks you find immediately, even minor ones at faucets and other fixtures. Not only will this save large amounts of water, even for a small leak, it will also prevent costly water damage to your home.
- Do not Over-Water: Water your lawn and garden manually, so that you do not over-water your plants and choose drought-resistant plants to conserve water.
To learn about more ways to reduce your daily water use, contact our professionals at Roth Heating and Cooling. We provide HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical and other services to Portland and the surrounding areas.
