Reduce your water bill, and your impact on the environment with these water-saving tips:
Install a Hot Water Recirculation System
This relatively inexpensive system (just a couple hundred dollars) uses a pump to pull hot water from the hot water heater faster, and returns cool water from the pipes to the water heater for reheating.Install a Tankless Hot Water Heater
When it's time to replace your hot water heater, consider upgrading to a
tankless unit (also known as an on-demand water heater), it heats water faster and only when you need it – a water savings and an energy savings.
OUTDOORS
Collect Rain Water for Plants
Attach rain barrels to the end of your gutter drain spouts to collect rainwater. Then, use it to water your plants and to wash your car.
Water with Soaker Hoses
Use a soaker hose to water the plants in your yard, and you'll have precise control of where the water goes – and more importantly – where it doesn't.
Use a Wading Pool Instead of a Sprinkler
Fill a wading pool for your kids, instead of letting them play in the sprinkler. They can splash around for hours without the continuous flow of water.Choose Drought-Resistant Plants
Then, let the rain handle all of the watering.Mulch Your Garden
Mulch reduces evaporation, ensuring that your plants get the full benefit of rainwater and your waterings.Sweep Sidewalks Off Instead of Spraying
A little sweeping action can save a lot of water – as much as 80 gallons a year, according to
wateruseitwisely.com.
Wash Your Car Less Often
Eartheasy.com, says it takes up to 100 gallons of water to wash a car. The Environmental Protection Agency says it can take over 500 gallons. Either way, that's a lot of water to devote to car washing.
Take Your Car to A Car Wash
You'll eliminate 100 gallons (or more) of water from your water bill each time you take your car to a car wash, and if you choose a facility that recycles water, you'll be saving the environment too.
