FSBO Jane

Water is one of the most precious resources, yet its continual waste is wreaking havoc on wallets across the country. The average American uses 400 gallons of water per day, most of which is wasted. Saving water is more than an environmental decision; it is an economic necessity.

Here are a few tips to help minimize water consumption.

• Use your dishwasher and clothes washer only when you have a full load.
• Refrain from buying multihead shower systems. These systems can spray an estimated 80 gallons per minute. Stick with a single-head shower that uses only 2.5 gallons per minute.
• Consider a tankless, on-demand water heater. Tankless systems heat water when you need it, cutting wait times down to about 30 seconds.
• Purchase toilets that feature the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense label.
• Fix toilet and faucet leaks immediately. An inefficient fixture can cost more money in wasted water than the price to have it fixed.
• Fill a plastic, quart-sized milk container with water and put it in your toilet tank, safely away from the operating mechanism. The jug can displace 10 gallons or more of water a day.
• Shorten your showers. Reducing showering time by just one minute can save 1,000 gallons of water a year.
• Attach a pistol-type sprayer to the end of your garden hose.
• Insulate your pipes with pre-slit foam pipe insulation. You’ll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
• Check your water meter and bill to track your water usage.
• Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
• Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps.
• Install water softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum number of regenerations necessary to maintain water softness.

Image: Green Planet