Did you know that over 70% of the earth’s surface is covered in water, yet less than 1% of that water is available for human use and consumption? A recent estimate from the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that a single individual will use between 80 and 100 gallons of water every day. The majority of this personal water consumption comes from toilet usage and personal hygiene habits; however appliances such as dishwashers also play a large role in an individual’s water consumption.
This is not only a burden on the environment but can also place a hefty financial burden on homeowners as well, who see high utility rates on their monthly bills. There are many ways to lessen your household’s environmentally impact while reaping the benefits of lower utility usage yourself, from installing ecofriendly appliances, faucets and toilets to cutting back your own consumption through changing habits.
Here are a few easy tips to reduce you’re household’s water consumption:
Check for leaks. Regularly examining all faucets, pipes and hoses for leaks or cracks can help detect a problem early which could prevent major complications from arising later and ensure that water is not being wasted as a result of malfunctioning water systems. Data from the Environmental Protection Agency indicates that a month of slow dripping can add up to anywhere from 200-250 gallons of wasted water. It is also important to ensure that toilets are functioning properly, as they are one of the largest water consuming appliances in any household.
Take short showers. The EPA has long reported that showering saves significant amounts of water compared to bathing. A standard bathtub can take upwards of 30 gallons to fill for a single bath use, limiting a shower to 5 minutes or less of running water time can save hundreds of gallons of water annually. Low flow shower heads and nozzles are also a great way to utilize your water more efficiently and lower water consumption.
Cut out a load or two. Reducing the frequency and quantity of dishwasher and clothing washer cycles will dramatically help households cut down their water consumption. Experts urge consumers to only run washing machines when fully loaded and to use the economy settings which are often shorter and less wasteful. Experts also recommend scraping dishes clean instead of rinsing them before placing them in the dishwasher, as modern machines are often designed to fully cleanse even dirty dishes.
Don’t throw solids down the drain. Garbage disposals can use as much as 4 gallons of water per minute to help ease those solid scraps down the drain. Experts recommend disposing of food waste by composting scraps into nutrient rich fertilizer for a home garden or by scraping solid food masses off into the trash. This will not only prevent wear and tear on your garbage disposal and pipes, it will help conserve water in the process.
At Metro Boston Insurance Agency, we understand the risks you face as an homeowner. To learn more about our coverages as well as our other personal lines insurance policies, please contact us today at 617-884-5480.
Written by Metro Boston Insurance Agency on Jul 15, 2015