Conserving water during in summer months is more challenging because it is the season when people use more water. Many activities make saving water difficult, from swimming to taking more frequent showers to watering the lawn. Here are a few ways to save water during the summer and lower your utility bills.
Conserving Water in Summer While Washing Dishes
Using a modern energy-efficient dishwasher is the best way to conserve water when cleaning dishes. This machine consumes only 2 – 6 gallons of water each load, while hand-washing can use 25 gallons per cycle. Make sure the dishwasher is full before running it to save water.
Brushing Teeth
The average time that most people spend brushing their teeth is 2 minutes. But, it is common for people to leave the faucet running from start to finish. There is no reason to leave water flowing continuously for two minutes.
Turn off the tap once you begin brushing your teeth, and turn it back on when it’s time to rinse. If you live with other family members, advise them to do the same. Use this same technique when washing your hands or shaving.
Conserving Water During the Summer by Shortening Your Shower Time
Taking a 20-minute shower is unnecessary, especially if you spend most of your time indoors. Reducing your shower time by only five minutes will significantly affect your monthly water bill. As mentioned above, turn off the shower while you wash your body and turn it on when you need to rinse.
To efficiently reduce your water consumption, install a low-flow showerhead. These fixtures use 2.5 gallons of water per minute, much less than older showerheads that consume 5.5 gallons per minute. A family of four can save over 20,000 gallons each year with a low-flow showerhead.
While waiting for the shower to heat up, collect the water in a bucket. Repurpose that water to water plants, wash the dog, or scrub the floors.
Cleaning Your Laundry
Laundry is a necessary chore in every household. However, it’s best to run your washing machine only when you have a full load, instead of doing several small loads. You’ll conserve water because you won’t use the appliance as frequently.
Conserving Water During the Summer by Repurposing Water
Use the water for rinsing vegetables to wipe down the countertops, or water the garden. With some creativity, you’ll find many ways to repurpose water at home. If the water is clean, use it for chores around the house. You can also install rain barrels on the guttering downspouts to collect rainwater for your lawn and garden.
Water Your Plants Early in the Morning
Watering your plants in the morning is essential for conserving water during the summer. When it’s cooler outside, the plants have enough time to absorb the water before it evaporates in the sun. Add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture and inhibit weed growth.
Install a Faucet Aerator
A faucet aerator significantly reduces water usage at home. It acts as a sieve, separating the water into several tiny streams that reduce water flowing from the tap without compromising the pressure. Aerators are excellent for reducing water consumption throughout the house.
Saving water is easy with the above tips. Develop new habits and follow these recommendations until they become part of your everyday routine.
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