How to Cut Back on Water for Earth Day

Earth Day is upon us again. Established in 1970, this internationally recognized holiday has been the catalyst for many policy agreements, including the Endangered Species Act! Every year, people come together to partake in activities that are beneficial to the earth, such as planting trees with friends.

While we do have a specific day dedicated to being mindful of our resources, there are actions you can take every day at home that can help benefit the environment and save you money. What’s not to like? You may use more water than you even realize. The average person uses 80-100 gallons of water every day. It’s been estimated that taking a few small steps in conserving water can save you more than 1000 gallons of water per month, giving you the ability to save over $140 per year in your water bill – that’s approximately the cost of one year’s subscription to Netflix!

Here are some easy ways to cut back on some of that water and fill up your wallet.

• When shaving or brushing your teeth, be sure to turn off the water in between rinsing. Bathroom faucets can use over 2 gallons of water per minute.
• Install low-flow aerators on all of your faucets. These are inexpensive, easy to install and can save up to 30-50% of the water flowing out of your fixtures.
• Washing dishes by hand? Fill up the basin instead of letting the water run. An average kitchen sink can hold 15-20 gallons of water if you fill it all the way up. Considering the faucet uses an average of 2 gallons per minute, spending 15 minutes doing dishes while letting the faucet run can add up to over 30 gallons of water. Filling up your sink halfway with warm soapy water, however, would only use around 10 gallons of water.
• Give your shower an upgrade. Install a water saving shower head to save up to 40% of the water you would normally use.
• Wait to wash. Believe it or not, 22% of the water you use could be coming from washing your clothes! Wait until you have a full load to do laundry, or adjust the water accordingly if you can’t wait.
• Check for leaks! Simply shut off the water in your home. Record the number on your water meter. Wait for about half an hour, then check the meter again. Has the number changed? If so, you have a leak. Check your toilets, pipes under sinks, outside spigots. These leaks can be a sneaky addition to your water bill, and if left untreated, can quickly turn into a much bigger (and more expensive) problem.

These are just a few examples of the DIY steps you can take to save water and money in your home. Checking your home for leaks, upgrading to efficient toilets or water heaters, and making sure your drains stay clean and clear can also help in your mission to conserve. At Heil Plumbing, we take pride in helping our community be at its best. Whether you are interested in installing a new, more efficient toilet or suspect you may have a leak, we are here to help.

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While we are based in Jessup, Maryland, our plumbing contractors also service Catonsville, Columbia, Ellicott City, Odenton, Clarksville, Elkridge, Fulton, Laurel, and Severn.