Rising utility rates and environmental concerns are on everyone’s mind these days, and they’re two convincing reasons to reduce your water consumption. The benefits are clear: lower water bills and a smaller carbon footprint. Here are five helpful tips to get you on your way.

Look for High-Efficiency Appliances

When it’s time to replace your washing machine or dishwasher, opt for the most efficient model you can afford. In the case of a clothes washer, front loaders are a good choice, particularly those with a cold-wash-only option and other functions to control water usage. If you’re shopping for a dishwasher, compare models, noting the amount of water that is used per load, and look for extras such as an economy mode or temperature-adjustment controls.

Put Rainwater to Use

Capture and use your rain water. Install rain barrels at the bottom of downspouts, and use this water for your lawn and garden. Rain barrel kits are available at main home-improvement stores. They include the drum, the hose, couplings and a screen to keep out debris. A plus: Many plants prefer natural water to city water.

Recirculate

Consider installing a recirculation pump to deliver hot water faster than conventional methods. This on-demand system is made even more convenient with the help of a timer, motion sensor or thermostat to provide hot water without having to run the tap while waiting for delivery.

Flush out Savings

Lower your water bills with a dual-flush or low-flow toilet. These units use 1 to 1.6 gallons per flush, compared with standard units, which consume 3 to 5 gallons per flush.

Update your fixtures

Replacing kitchen and bathroom faucets with low-flow units can reap impressive rewards. Many faucets and showerheads are easy to install and can save you as much as 1 to 2 gallons per minute.

For more ideas on how to reduce your water bills and save money year round, call the experts at Comfort Systems. Since 1953, we have been providing quality service to residents of Wichita and the surrounding area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Wichita, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about water savings and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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