Time and again, we’re reminded of the importance of saving water. Fresh water is a finite resource. Only 1.2% of the world’s freshwater supply can be used for drinking. The rest is stored in glaciers and permafrost or will need to be unearthed.
Conserving water is just as impactful on your utility bills as it is for the environment. Understanding essential water-saving tips can go a long way in preventing shortages and ensuring the availability of potable water for all.
Below are some handy water-saving tips you can use at home.
1. Take A Shower Instead Of A Bath
One way to save water in the bathroom is by taking showers instead of putting on a bath.
Showers use up to 33% less water than baths. This also reduces the workload on your water heater.
You can also reduce your energy costs by taking quick 10 minute showers. You don’t need to stand under the shower for a good 30 minutes to clean your body and hydrate your skin. Short showers are great for keeping you feeling refreshed and on top of that, it saves you precious time.
2. Inspect For Leaks
You don’t need to be a plumber to see if your toilet is leaking water. Food colouring can easily help you determine the presence of any leaks. Add a few drops of non-staining dye or colouring to the toilet tank. You have a leak if the colour shows in the toilet bowl, even without flushing.
Pipe leaks are another type of leak. You can check to see if there are leaks in your walls or cracks that form. In some gardens where water pipes run beneath the surface, you will notice some weed or plant growth in the soil above, forming a straight line. This is another way to find out if you have a pipe leak.
3. Turn Off The Tap When Not In Use
When washing dishes, cooking meals, or brushing your teeth, don’t leave the tap running. Instead, fill a small bowl or glass with water to limit your water usage.
4. Recycle Your Water
Washing vegetables uses a whole lot of water! You can recycle relatively clean water from that. Throw your water into a separate pail instead of down the sink. Use the recycled water for another purpose, like cleaning balconies or yards.
5. Use A Dishwasher
Washing dishes by hand wastes much more water than a dishwasher. Eco friendly dishwashers use up as little as 13 litres per load, compared to 122 litres of water when washing dishes manually.
6. Dish Hand-Washing Tip
If buying a dishwasher unit is out of the cards, there are ways to save water by hand washing. If you have a double-basin sink, fill one side with soapy water and the other with clean rinse water. Dip the dishes in each side instead of leaving the tap running.
7. Use An Energy-Efficient Washing Machine
Energy-efficient washing machines use up only 26 litres of water per load. In comparison, a traditional washing machine uses 204 litres — a whopping 784% increase in water usage.
8. Use A Quick Wash Cycle
Quick wash cycles tend to use up to 30% less water compared to average cycles. This setting also puts less strain on your washing machine.
Reducing the running water and usage minimises wear and tear on the machinery.
9. Run Full Loads Of Laundry
If you have a full load, combine smaller wash loads into single loads to reduce water and energy costs.
Remember that each time you’re using the washing machine, you’re also consuming water. Doing your laundry all in one go will be much more efficient.
10. Use Restrictors And Low-Flow Showerheads
Affordable water-saving aerators or low-flow shower heads can easily be installed. With a low-flow showerhead, you can save as much as 60% in monthly water usage or roughly equivalent to 1,100 litres per month.
Meanwhile, water aerators can help reduce water flow in your shower head to just 7 litres per minute.
11. Observe Your Utility Bill For Any Sudeen Increases In Costs
If you frequently use your water heater, then high water utility bills are no cause for concern. But if your water bills are frequently high, there might be a water heater leak.
For instance, your water tank may be leaking, causing higher water usage. Spot signs of pooling water on the bottom of the tank. If you’re unable to check it yourself due to insulation, hire a professional.
Other reasons for an expensive water bill include leaking fixtures, malfunctioning water heaters, or leaking valves. Call our water heater specialists to help you diagnose the problem.
12. Install A Water Heater Close To Your Shower
Installing a water heater near your shower is also a way to prevent water wastage. This is because it keeps the water pipe short.
If the designated location to install a heater is the common bathroom (in a BTO), don’t change the water heater installation location to the yard.
Installing a water heater much farther away from your shower isn’t ideal, as it will require a longer pipe. Having a longer pipe means it takes much more time for the cold water to clear, and for hot water to get to the end-user. This leads to a lot of wasted running cold water.
Conclusion About Water Saving Tips
There are many different ways to save water around the house. You’re likely familiar with the age-old tip of turning off the tap when not in use — and it still holds up today as an effective way of conserving water.
If you’re able, also try investing in energy-saving devices or systems as well. You’ll end up with much lower utility bills in the long run and contribute to the global water conservation effort.
For more information on saving water and other related topics, contact AOS Bath. We’re the leading distributor of energy-efficient AO Smith water heaters in Singapore. We specialise in electric, digital, heat pump, and solar water heaters.
