14 Steps To Saving Water In Your Home
Reducing the water usage in your home is an easy and effective way to lower both your energy and water bills as well as minimise your impact on the environment.
With a few simple changes around your home, any Wollongong household can cut down on the amount of water they use and consume.
From the garden to the kitchen and bathroom, there are opportunities everywhere.
So how can you save water in your home?
Bathroom Water Saving Tips
1. Cut Down On Your Shower Time
The easiest way to save water in the bathroom on a daily basis is to cut down on the time you spend in the shower. Cutting the length of your shower by 2 minutes can save up to 30% of your daily water usage. Hum your favourite 4-minute song or create a new shower routine. When your whole family does this the savings can really start to stack up.
2. Don’t waste water as you wait for your shower to heat up
Don’t let clean water go to waste as you wait for the temperature to heat up. Place a bucket in your shower to catch clean water until the temperature is just right. You can reuse this clean water for your pot plants and garden.
3. Install water-saving or low-flow showerheads
A standard showerhead can use between 15-25L every minute. By installing water-saving showerheads you can cut down water usage by 40%. Different models with different WELS ratings will affect how much you save, but it can be up to 20,000L per year depending on the flow rates.
4. Install mixer taps
A lot of water is wasted trying to get the temperature just right for your morning shower. With mixer taps, you don’t have to worry about taking the time to try and solve a puzzle every time you want to wash.
5. Upgrade your toilet
As the old saying goes, if it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down. But, if you’re a little squeamish at that prospect, another solution is to simply upgrade your toilet. Your toilet actually accounts for 20% of household water use (more than your shower). By upgrading your toilet, you can save up to 80L a day!
6. Fix leaks ASAP
It might seem like just a tiny drip, but a leaking tap can lose more than 9,000L every year. Water leaks, big or small, should be fixed as soon as possible. Whether it’s your toilet, your shower, or taps, don’t let a little leak cost you over the long-term.
Kitchen & Laundry Water Saving Tips
7. If you own a dishwasher, avoid pre-rinsing your plates
Rinsing your plates before using the dishwasher can double the amount of water it takes to clean your dishes every meal. Scraping as much food waste into the bin will also help keep your drains clear.
8. Only use your dishwasher for full loads
It doesn’t take a genius to realise if you’re only using your dishwasher for half loads you’ll end up using twice as much water. Wait until you’ve got a full load, and take advantage of any water-saving or eco settings available.
9. If you wash by hand, fill up your sink
You’ll save a lot more water by filling a sink up rather than leaving your tap running.
10. Choose energy and water-efficient washing machines
While it might cost a little more upfront, the more efficient your washing machine is the more you’ll save in terms of both water and electricity over the long run. Washing your clothes in cold water can also help save on energy costs.
Saving Water Around The Garden
11. Find the right type of sprinkler for your garden
Different types of sprinklers are better suited for different garden layouts and plants. Ensuring you’ve got the best sprinkler system for your garden and ensuring you’re not overwatering your plants can save a lot of water.
12. Adjust your watering system as the seasons change
As the seasons change throughout the year, so too does the overall watering needs of your garden and plants. Make sure to keep track of how your system is set for different times of the year. And always have it turned off when it’s raining.
13. Look out for leaks in your irrigation system
Worn nozzles, broken seals, and damaged drip feeders can result in leaks you might not notice for a long period of time. Take care to regularly check your drip irrigation and sprinkler system for signs of wear and tear.
14. Choose water-wise plants
In Wollongong’s coastal climate, there’s plenty of beautiful and water-wise native plants that need less water, are low maintenance and will make your garden look fantastic.
Need Help Saving Water In Your Home?
With these simple steps, reducing your water consumption can help you potentially save hundreds or thousands of dollars each year and significantly reduce your impact on the environment.
Many of these steps only require small changes in your day to day routine or some simple upgrades to your home’s plumbing fixtures and appliances.
If you’d like to save water in your home, then get in touch with our friendly team of plumbers in Wollongong to help you today. At O'Brien Plumbing Wollongong, our team offer honest and practical advice to help you make the most of your home’s plumbing no matter your budget.