How to Save Money (and San Diego’s Environment) By Saving Water
In our last blog about back to school habits that are bad for your home, we touched upon the importance of shutting off the water while you shave and brush your teeth. We also spoke about how shorter showers can help conserve water in the home. Beyond that, there are many water conservation tips you should know to ensure you’re doing everything you can to stop significant water waste. Here are a few basic ones below:
Repair All Leaks
A drip here, a drop there may not seem like a lot of water; but over time, and with multiple faucets dripping, those drips per minute can add up to gallons and liters quickly. For instance, a sudden rise in your water bill can be a sign that there’s a leak somewhere hidden in your home that should be taken care of ASAP. Not only is it wasting water, but it could also cause water damage to your home, which could be a pricey fix.
Always Do Full Loads of Laundry
The back-to-school season could bring mounds and mounds of laundry and tons of dirty dishes. This doesn’t always mean they’re done with water conservation in mind. When it comes to washing your dishes and your laundry, you always want to do a full load. Not only will this help you save water, but it will also extend the lifespan of your appliances.
Another bonus, you’ll waste less energy too. Now, you might be thinking a full load uses more water energy, and you’re correct. But when you do two small loads, you’re wasting more water and energy than you are by doing the full.
Consider Low Flow Fixtures (Shower Heads, Faucets, Etc.)
Another thing most homeowners don’t realize is that older fixtures don’t conserve water as well as newer ones do. Many modern toilets, showerheads, and sink fixtures regulate your water flow so that there is no extra water waste.
If you’re in an older home that hasn’t been remodeled in a while, it might be time to consider looking at your upgrade options.
And perhaps the most important thing you can do is to have one of our expert plumbers help you with a water pressure regulator for your home. High water pressure takes a toll on your entire plumbing system and shortens the life span of your appliances in addition to wasting water each and every day.
How To Conserve Water While Doing the Dishes
Conserving water while doing the dishes is easy! Here a few quick ways you can save water in the kitchen as suggested by the city of San Diego:
- If you hand wash dishes, only do so once a day in a dishpan instead of under running water.
- Rinse dishes by spraying them quickly with a sprayer and hose (instead of filling the sink with water)
- If you use a dishwasher, don’t run it unless it’s completely full (just like your laundry!)
- When cleaning fruits and vegetables, do so in the sink or in a pan of water (instead of running the water freely)
- Scrape food off dirty dishes before you wash (instead of rinsing them first)
Additionally, avoid using hot water to thaw frozen foods. You can conserve even more water by simply planning ahead and thawing food on the counter instead.
Water Use Restrictions in San Diego
Conserving water isn’t just a good idea; it’s mandatory, too. In San Diego, the city exercises year-round restrictions on water usage to prevent unnecessary water waste. Some of these restrictions include:
- Not overfilling spas and swimming pools
- Using only recirculating water fountains (ornamental and cascading)
- Residents cannot wash vehicles with potable water (drinkable water) unless the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle
- Restaurants not serving drinking water, unless upon request
- Not washing sidewalks/driveways with water unless you are using a shut-off nozzle or a power washer. (Additionally, water from washing driveways and sidewalks cannot go down storm drains.)
- Not watering potted plants, vegetable gardens, and fruit trees between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
For more on how you can stop water waste and tips to ensure you are at the top of your water conservation game, check out our Anderson Video Library.