11 Ways to Save Water at Home
Whether you live in a drought-stricken area or just want to help preserve a precious resource, here are things you can do to use less water
Carol Crotta
March 21, 2015
Houzz Contributor. In all matters home and garden, I live by the mantra Restore, Renovate, Reimagine. The projects that interest me most are the ones that smartly and sustainably turn convention into the unexpected and delightful. I currently contribute articles on home design, restoration, garden, and all things drought-related to the Los Angeles Times in addition to my work for Houzz.com.
Houzz Contributor. In all matters home and garden, I live by the mantra Restore,... More
Americans have been blessed with a steady supply of clean water, for outdoor as well as indoor use. It’s a privilege we often take for granted. But with much of the western United States in a severe, years-long drought, attention is turning to water use — and abuse. California regulators this week tightened emergency restrictions on water use, including for residential landscapes, and said tougher restrictions could be on the way. California governor Jerry Brown and lawmakers unveiled a $1 billion plan Thursday to address the state’s drought. Other areas of the country also are promoting water-saving programs.
Although agriculture and business account for a large portion of U.S. water consumption, residential usage is substantial — and it’s within each person’s control. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that the average American family of four uses about 400 gallons of water a day. The agency says that by switching to more efficient appliances and fixtures, we can cut our water use by 30 percent. Being water wise takes more than just machinery, however. A little care and common sense go a long way toward minimizing waste of this increasingly precious commodity. Here are 11 tips for reducing water consumption at home. Not only will your water bills go down, but every drop you save will help ensure that our taps will never run dry.
Although agriculture and business account for a large portion of U.S. water consumption, residential usage is substantial — and it’s within each person’s control. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that the average American family of four uses about 400 gallons of water a day. The agency says that by switching to more efficient appliances and fixtures, we can cut our water use by 30 percent. Being water wise takes more than just machinery, however. A little care and common sense go a long way toward minimizing waste of this increasingly precious commodity. Here are 11 tips for reducing water consumption at home. Not only will your water bills go down, but every drop you save will help ensure that our taps will never run dry.
1. Turn off faucets. Start saving by breaking a bad habit: Never let faucet water run needlessly as you wash or rinse dishes, wash your hands or face, brush your teeth or shave. Bathroom faucets run at about 2 gallons of water a minute, according to the EPA. Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth and shave, and you can save hundreds of gallons a month.
Tip: Be sure to fix leaks. A slow drip from a leaking faucet can waste as much as 20 gallons of water a day. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons a day.
Tip: Be sure to fix leaks. A slow drip from a leaking faucet can waste as much as 20 gallons of water a day. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons a day.
2. Use every drop. Learn to repurpose water. One easy way is to capture under your colander the potable water you use to rinse fruits and veggies, and deposit it in the garden. Do the same while you wait for your hot water to come in.
3. Double-dip dishes. Take a page from the past and make smart use of dual sinks. Instead of letting the water run while you wash dishes, fill one sink with hot, soapy water for washing, and the other with cool, clear water for rinsing. You’ll use half the water you otherwise would, according to the EPA. If your sink is a single model, use two large bowls for washing and rinsing.
4. Consider a smaller dishwasher. Today’s modern, efficient dishwashers can save a great deal of water. Scrape dishes instead of rinsing them before loading, and you’ll save up to 10 gallons a load.
You should run only full loads. If you generally have small loads to wash, consider buying a double-drawer model, such as the Fisher Paykel one shown here. The drawers, which use less than 2 gallons of water each, work independently, saving water, energy and detergent.
You should run only full loads. If you generally have small loads to wash, consider buying a double-drawer model, such as the Fisher Paykel one shown here. The drawers, which use less than 2 gallons of water each, work independently, saving water, energy and detergent.
5. Buy a high-efficiency washer. The average American family washes about 300 loads of laundry each year. Clothes washing accounts for more than 20 percent of residential indoor water use.
As a rule, front-loading machines use less water than top-loading machines. But whether you’re shopping for a front- or top-loading washer, to save the most water, look for an Energy Star–certified machine. These machines use about 40 percent less water than regular washers. The key to their savings is that the tub does not get filled up; clothing is flipped and spun through streams of water and repeated high-pressure sprayings.
As a rule, front-loading machines use less water than top-loading machines. But whether you’re shopping for a front- or top-loading washer, to save the most water, look for an Energy Star–certified machine. These machines use about 40 percent less water than regular washers. The key to their savings is that the tub does not get filled up; clothing is flipped and spun through streams of water and repeated high-pressure sprayings.
6. Go with low-flow. The bathroom is the site of the greatest indoor water use in the house. So it’s also a place where you can reap major water savings with some smart choices.
Toilets, for example, account for nearly 30 percent of an average home’s indoor water consumption. Older toilets use as much as 6 gallons per flush. But the newer, EPA WaterSense-certified toilets use just 1.28 to 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Dual-flush toilets use even less water.
Showering accounts for almost 17 percent of household indoor water use — 40 gallons a day for the average family of four. To save water here, replace a regular showerhead, which uses 2½ gallons a minute, with a WaterSense-certified showerhead, which uses 2 gallons a minute or less while offering the same or better shower performance.
Toilets, for example, account for nearly 30 percent of an average home’s indoor water consumption. Older toilets use as much as 6 gallons per flush. But the newer, EPA WaterSense-certified toilets use just 1.28 to 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Dual-flush toilets use even less water.
Showering accounts for almost 17 percent of household indoor water use — 40 gallons a day for the average family of four. To save water here, replace a regular showerhead, which uses 2½ gallons a minute, with a WaterSense-certified showerhead, which uses 2 gallons a minute or less while offering the same or better shower performance.
7. Shorten your showers. Use a kitchen timer to time your showers. Aim for five minutes or less.
8. Cover up. Pool covers can be a pool owner’s best friend. Not only does a cover retain a heated pool’s temperature, but it reduces evaporation. The Department of Energy reports that a pool cover cuts the amount of replacement water needed by 30 to 50 percent.
9. Water by hand. Consider hand watering if you have a small garden area. Households that manually water with a hose typically use 33 percent less water outdoors than those that use an automatic irrigation system, according to the EPA.
Houzz guides to greywater systems, losing the lawn and more
Houzz guides to greywater systems, losing the lawn and more
10. Get smart about irrigation. And speaking of watering the garden, residential landscape irrigation has come a long way. Consider investing in weather-based irrigation controllers that adjust to real weather conditions and provide water only when needed. Replace older mist-style sprinkler heads with today’s newer, and more efficient, rotator sprinkler heads, which shoot jets of waters at a slow rate to increase penetration and eliminate drift. Install new drip irrigation piping and soaker hoses for improved watering efficiency.
11. Capture rainwater. Find ways to save and store rainwater for use in the garden. Using a 55-gallon drum like this one, which catches roof water from gutters and downspouts, is one easy way. Remember to cover your barrels to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Tell us: Has your household been cutting back on water? Share your experiences and tips in the Comments.
More:
Just Add Water: Rain Barrel Magic
How to Switch to a Tankless Water Heater
More water-saving guides for indoors and out
Tell us: Has your household been cutting back on water? Share your experiences and tips in the Comments.
More:
Just Add Water: Rain Barrel Magic
How to Switch to a Tankless Water Heater
More water-saving guides for indoors and out
What are you working on?
Related Products
Dave Fox is a design/build remodeling firm with a customer focused process, an incredible staff and a close knit... Read More
Related Stories
California Gardening
Water-Saving Strategies From 5 Earth-Friendly Gardens
Get ideas for setting up a rain garden, installing a water cistern, mulching garden beds, growing native plants and more
Full Story
Landscape Design
10 Gardens That Capture and Drain Water With Style
Landscape pros design beautiful and hardworking gardens that effectively drain and manage rainwater and runoff
Full Story
Landscape Design
15 Outdoor Spaces That Rock Permeable Paving
These patios, paths and driveways showcase beautiful and integrated drainage solutions
Full Story
Landscape Design
Yard of the Week: Lush Retreat for Gardening and Gathering
A landscape architect transforms a tired Bay Area lawn into a dynamic, low-water yard that delights the senses
Full Story
Landscape Design
7 Landscape Design Ideas to Replace a Traditional Lawn
Consider a design that will welcome wildlife, require less maintenance, encourage gathering and better suit your needs
Full Story
Landscape Design
What to Know About Losing Your Lawn
Learn why you might want to replace your turfgrass, how to do it and and other considerations for losing the lawn
Full Story
Landscape Design
Choose the Right Irrigation System for Your Yard
Learn the pros and cons of drip irrigation, soaker hoses, in-ground systems and more to see which will work best for you
Full Story
Landscape Design
To Manage Stormwater Sustainably, Understand Your Site
Follow this guide to learn how water moves through your landscape and how best to manage it
Full Story
Landscape Design
15 Ways to Create a Beautiful Water-Wise Landscape
Learn how simple swaps — or a different approach — can reduce your yard’s water consumption
Full Story
Gardening Guides
8 Drought-Sensitive Ways to Start a Garden
Learn how you can add a new garden while also conserving water, with these tips from landscape pros
Full Story
1. Native grass blend in the yard that gets only rain water. Goes dormant in dry conditions and greens right up when it rains. This saves lots of water and time and also means a less mowing! Check out what's growing in nature and duplicate that in the yard.
2. Small garden watered with a small rain collection barrel taking water from maybe 1/3 of the total roof area. Doesn't take a lot and The Natural Gardener (John Dromgool) here in Austin assures me that plants like natural water much better than the treated variety from the tap.
3. Modern low usage toilets. They work.
4. Hot water circulation pump avoiding long warm up time in the shower or kitchen sink.
5. Modern high efficiency front loading washing machine. It seems to SIP water vs. big tubs that fill up once to wash and once to rinse.
6. Way less than a 5 minute shower...without company I don't know what I'd do with the extra three minutes ;-)
I think saving water, electricity, etc is just a matter of awareness, and attacking the goal with multiple perhaps small individual things, that result in a significant overall result. It feels great to get that $20 bill each month and realize I've made no sacrifice, perhaps short of a longer shower!
I agree with you Brian, but sometimes a nice hot shower can relive a lot of tension. And just to let it hit the back of the neck and run down the back is really relaxing for a couple of extra minutes.
Another way to save water is through the installation of a water softener at your water mains. You will use less detergent and water when cleaning dishes and doing laundry. No more mineral scale spots in kitchens and bathrooms. Water heater will operate at optimum efficiency because of the absence of mineral particles in water.