Mason Martin Homes does their best to make all of their homes as energy efficient as possible. With your custom built home we will increase your savings on energy and water bills. At the same time as helping the earth be a better place to live.
Taking measures at home to conserve water not only saves you money, it also is of benefit to the greater community. Saving water at home does not require any significant cost outlay. Although there are water-saving appliances and water conservation systems such as rain barrels, drip irrigation and on-demand water heaters which are more expensive, the bulk of water saving methods can be achieved at little cost. For example, 75% of water used indoors is in the bathroom, and 25% of this is for the toilet. The average toilet uses 4 gallons per flush (gpf). You can invest in a ULF (ultra-low flush) toilet which will use only 2 gpf . But you can also install a simple tank bank, costing about $2, which will save .8 gpf. This saves 40% of what you would save with the ULF toilet. Using simple methods like tank banks, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators you can retrofit your home for under $50.
By using water-saving features you can reduce your in-home water use by 35%. This means the average household, which uses 130,000 gallons per year, could save 44,00 gallons of water per year. On a daily basis, the average household, using 350 gallons per day, could save 125 gallons of water per day. The average individual, currently using 70 gallons per day, could save 25 gallons of water per day. *
When looking for low flush toilets, shower heads, faucets, etc. always look for the EPA “WaterSense” label It indicates that the particular item meets EPA standards for water conservation.
Many of us never think about the amount of water we use each day, but we could reduce that amount greatly if we just changed some of our routines and habits. Following are some simple water saving ideas that almost anyone, from college students to senior citizens, could implement in their homes, apartments and dorms.
In The Bathroom…
1. Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month.
2. If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the shower head with a water-efficient model. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
3. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
4. If your toilet flapper doesn’t close after flushing, replace it. It’s easy to do. You can buy a replacement “Kit” from a hardware or home improvement store.
5. If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank. They are available at home improvement centers or you can make them by weighting a plastic bottle with pebbles or sand and immersing it in the tank. Make sure you still have enough water for a complete flush! This could save up to 10 gallons per day.
6. When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up. Or take a shower instead.
7. Turn off the water while…
- brushing your teeth and save up to 25 gallons a month
- you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.
- you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month.
- you lather your hands when washing
- while you lather in the shower. Then rinse.
8. Drop your tissue or small trash in the trash instead of flushing it and save water every time. Don’t use the toilet as a waste basket (or an ashtray!)
In The Kitchen…
1. Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
2. Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
3. For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
4. Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
5. Don’t use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
6. Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
8. If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don’t throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
9. When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
10. Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.
In The Laundry Room…
1. Run your clothes washer only with full loads. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
2. When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
3. Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
Washing Cars…
1. Use a commercial car wash that recycles water or …
2. Wash your car on the lawn, and you’ll water your lawn at the same time.
3. Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You’ll save up to 100 gallons every time.
Pets…
1. Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.
2. When you give your pet fresh water, don’t throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
General Tips…
1. Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks. Most modern meters have a gauge that spins even if only a little water is passing through. Shut off all water sources in your home and then check the gauge to see if it is moving. If there is a leak the gauge will be moving, if not it will be stationary.
2. Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more.
3. We’re more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don’t forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
4. Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It’s simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.
5. Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets. They are available at home improvement centers like Lowe’s and Home Depot.
6. When you have ice left in your cup from a take-out restaurant, don’t throw it in the trash, dump it on a plant.
7. Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to water plants.
8. When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
9. Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider.
10. Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet. This will save wasting cold water waiting for it to get hot and save energy.
Plus, always know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
When buying low-flow aerators, be sure to read the label for the actual ‘gpm’ (gallons per minute) rating. Often, the big box retailers promote “low-flow” which are rated at 2.5 gpm, which is at the top of the low-flow spectrum. This may be needed for the kitchen sink, but we find that a 1.5 gpm aerator works fine for the bathroom sink and most water outlets, delivering the same spray force in a comfortable, soft stream. Finally, it should be noted that installing low-flow aerators, shower heads, tank banks and other water-saving devices usually is a very simple operation which can be done by the homeowner and does not even require the use of tools. Water conservation at home is one of the easiest measures to put in place, and saving water should become part of everyday family practice.
