Start By Replacing Your Toilets
The average family of four uses 1500 liters of water with literally half of that
running down the drain. The biggest water guzzlers are old toilets (1995 or older).
An older toilet uses 3.5 liters per flush, whereas a new one uses 1.28
liters per flush. For a relatively small cost, replacing an older toilet
with a newer low flow toilet can reduce water consumption by 60% and can
save a family of four $90 a year or $2000 over the life of the toilet.
How Old is Your Dishwasher?
A pre-1994 dishwasher waste more than 10 gallons of water per cycle compared
to a new ENERGY STAR model. Today’s dishwashers use less than half
as much energy and water as those made before 1994. Since almost 60% of
the energy a dishwasher uses goes toward heating water, models that use
less water also use less energy.
Energy and water savings can be even more impressive in dishwashers displaying
the ENERGY STAR label. In addition, new dishwashers usually don’t
require rinsing before loading. Whether you have a newer model or an older
dishwasher it still makes sense to do full loads.
Clean Clothes Better With a Greener Washing Machine
Washing machines are responsible for about 20 percent of the water usage
in a home. Washing your laundry can use 30% less water depending on the
efficiency of your machine. A load of laundry in a high efficiency machine
needs less than 28 gallons of water, compared to the 70 gallons needed
for the average machine.
The improved machines don’t waste water by filling the tub. Instead
they spin or flip clothes through a stream of water and match water levels
with amount of clothes, and they rinse by repeatedly spraying clothes
with high-pressure water.
Additional Water Conserving Tips
If you are not ready to purchase a new washing machine or dishwasher; here
are some simple water saving suggestions:
- Wash only full loads in the dishwasher.
- Match the water level setting to the size of the laundry in your washing machine.
- Replace old shower heads with new low-flowing shower heads. This is relatively
inexpensive and easy to install.
Check for leaky faucets and toilets. Although usually not a major source
of water wasted, it can cause major water damage in the home. If you are
not sure there is a leak, check your water meter and then check it again
in two hours. If the gauge has moved and there has been no usage, call
your local plumber.
Now more than ever, conservation doesn’t require a lifestyle change!
Call the professionals of Mark Johnson Plumbing at (318) 257-6167
to see how easy it is to conserve water in your Ruston home.
