From House To Home

When it comes to water consumption in the home, bathrooms are by far the biggest guzzlers. On average, Americans use about 80 to 100 gallons of water every day, with most of it flushed down the toilet drain, showers, and baths.

The best way to conserve two precious commodities—water and money—is to ensure your bathroom runs as efficiently as possible and to develop simple water-conscious habits.

In the early nineties, the federal government mandated that all toilets, showerheads, and faucets manufactured consume less water. If your bathroom is older and hasn’t been updated to meet these standards, you can save on your water and sewer bills by taking inventory and/or installing water-saving fixtures.

Remember that many cities and states now offer incentives or cash-back rebate programs for installing water-saving fixtures. Check with your local water agency to see if you can take advantage of these additional savings, or if they offer free devices (like aerators) for their customers. 

1. Make your shower short and sweet

• Take a five-minute shower instead of a bath. Filling a tub requires around 50 to 70 gallons, compared to a short shower, which only uses 12 to 25 gallons.
• Mount a low-flow showerhead to conserve water without sacrificing pressure or comfort.

2.  Give your toilet a tune-up

• Older toilets can consume as much as five to seven gallons per flush, while newer models typically use only one to 1.6 gallons per flush. To save even more money over the long run, choose one of the new dual-flush toilets, which enable you to gauge how much water you need from two flushing options.
• Undetected toilet leaks equate to wasted water and wasted dollars. Test yours by adding a few drops of food coloring into the back of your tank. If after 10 to 15 minutes, the color appears in your toilet bowl without flushing, you probably have a leak that needs to be repaired.
• If your toilet is running and you have to constantly jiggle the handle to stop it, the connecting chain, flapper, or handle most likely needs to be replaced or readjusted.

3 Fix your faucetz

• Screw a faucet aerator on your tap. Aerators provide the same water pressure, with less flow, by adding air to the water and are readily available at most hardware stores.
• Stop bathroom faucets from dripping by putting a new washer inside the valve or replacing the rubber o-ring.
• Opt for a faucet that has an automatic shutoff or sensor feature.

4 Save on your remodel

• Consider installing new technologies, like instant or tankless hot water heaters or hot-water-on-demand-systems for maximum energy efficiency.
• Even if you’ve hired a contractor, do some of the demolition, wallpaper-stripping, tiling and/or painting yourself. You can enroll in a do-it-yourself plumbing seminar or tiling class at your local home improvement center, so you’ll feel confident tackling small repairs and projects.
• Shop clearance and closeout models at home warehouse stores, online liquidators, or appliance centers for the best prices on fixtures.

BANK   EASY BUCKS

• Install an automatic shutoff timer or humidistat on your bathroom ventilator fan.
• Caulk and seal all gaps, fixtures, and tiling to prevent mold, mildew, and energy loss.
• Avoid shaving or brushing your teeth while the water is running.
• Use refillable containers for hand soap, shampoo, mouthwash, lotion, etc.
• Buy toilet paper in bulk and/or opt for brands made from recycled paper.
• Combine vinegar or ammonia, baking soda, and water for an inexpensive, all-purpose bathroom cleaner.
• Wash and bleach your shower curtain instead of replacing it.