Our state is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, including gorgeous seaside plant life and sparkling freshwater aquifers. However, Hawaii has been suffering from a dwindling water supply over the last several years, and wasteful behavior intensifies this issue.
Water is a precious resource, and treating it as such protects both the environment and your wallet. Luckily, there are plenty of small water-saving steps that ultimately have a huge impact.
The team at All Aloha Plumbing can teach you how to save water at home with personalized plumbing solutions. Until then, here are a few simple practices you can start implementing today:
How to Save Water in the Bathroom
Fix Leaks
Needless to say, leaky faucets are a major contributor to water shortages. Even a tiny drip can amount to gallons of waste each day.
Don’t leave a faulty sink or shower head neglected. O’ahu plumbers are available for repairs every day of the week, meaning there’s no reason for delay. As a preventative measure, you can also implement leak detection solutions to catch dripping faucets early on.
Replace Toilets
Older toilets (especially those produced before the 1994 Energy Policy Act) tend to be inefficient, wasting thousands of extra gallons every year.
Upgrading your toilet could minimize this wastefulness and thus conserve the state’s limited water supply. Plus, a new toilet improves your bathroom’s cleanliness, enhances your flushing power and raises your home’s resale value.
Shower, Don’t Bathe
As luxurious as they may be, baths demand far more water than a brisk shower. However, showers still account for around 17% of indoor water use, so you should carefully track your time washing up. Additionally, you can try installing a more water-efficient shower head.
Turn Off the Tap
It may seem simple, but turning off your tap while you’re brushing your teeth or scrubbing your face can translate into hundreds of preserved gallons. Make sure your water isn’t running if you aren’t actively using it.
How to Save Water in the Kitchen
Plug the Sink
When washing your dishes, consider plugging up the sink or using a wash basin to conserve water. This way, you aren’t inadvertently running the faucet longer than it takes to lather and rinse your plates.
Chill Water in the Fridge
If you’re craving a chilled drink, it’s best not to run the faucet until the water is icy. Instead, get a pitcher that you can leave cooling in the fridge. This will ensure you have a steady supply of cold beverages without flushing perfectly good water down the drain.
Wait for a Packed Dishwasher
Dishwashers are not only more convenient than washing plates by hand, they’re more environmentally friendly too. However, they can become less environmentally friendly if they are not packed every time you run them. Try to avoid running the dishwasher if both racks aren’t relatively full.
How to Save Water in the Laundry Room
Only Wash Full Loads
Like a dishwasher, a laundry machine is most environmentally friendly when you pack it. While you shouldn’t be shoving a massive bundle of clothing into your machine, you can at least wait until your laundry basket is mostly full before running a load.
Use Cold Water
It requires more time, energy and water to run a load at a hot temperature. Instead, opt for cold water when doing your laundry. On top of being more energy efficient, cold water helps preserve your clothing’s fabric.
If you’re dedicated to warm water, however, you can invest in a tankless water heater. This device helps heat liquid faster, meaning less water is wasted.
How a Professional Can Help
If you’re ready to start saving the environment and some money, contact All Aloha Plumbing today. Our team of O’ahu plumbers can help you apply this new water-saving knowledge with solutions like leak detection devices, tankless water heaters and extra efficient shower heads.