6) Cover Your Pool When it is Not in Use
When you are away from home, or on vacation, and your pool is not in use, you can prevent water usage due to pool evaporation by keeping it covered. Furthermore, covering your pool can help you prevent storm debris collecting in the water.
7) Water Your Lawn Wisely: Mornings and Evenings
Whether your use automatic sprinklers, or water your lawn and plants by hand, it is important to perform the task when temperatures are coolest. Morning before 10:00 am, and evenings after 6:00 pm are ideal for watering the lawn and plants. Watering when it is cooler is optimal for the ground to soak in the most water and for preventing water loss due to evaporation.
8) Use the Dishwasher, as Opposed to Hand-Washing Dishes
If you have a dishwasher, you can save water by running it with a full load, as opposed to washing dishes by hand.
9) Flush Your Water Heater
Over time, sediment will build up in your water heater’s tank, reducing its performance and leading to greater water usage. Having your water heater flushed once or twice a year will help your unit last longer and perform more efficiently. To flush your water heater, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Shut off power to the unit and allow it to cool
- Step 2: Attach a hose to the faucet at the base of the unit
- Step 3: Place the other end of the hose in a five-gallon bucket
- Step 4: Open the faucet to allow several gallons of water to drain
- Step 5: Repeat process till water is clear and clean
- Step 6: Restore power to your unit
10) Take Shorter Showers
Reducing shower time by just a few minutes can save several gallons of water per shower. For a family of four, it is not out of the question to reduce water usage by ten or more gallons.
These steps will help you reduce water usage, but if your plumbing pipes and systems are leaking, you may be losing thousands of gallons of water each year. Make sure you have your systems inspected and repaired by professional plumbers. In the Statesville area, we are here to help.