Water conservation benefits everyone. It is a necessary consideration for most homeowners because it directly affects their utility costs. Conservation also helps neighborhoods and towns preserve water levels during droughts and is an environmentally responsible action for the planet. Many people choose to conserve by trying to use less water through shorter showers or not running a dishwasher as often. The installation of water-saving features around the home can help even more.
A benefit of investing in upgraded plumbing is that it consistently and effortlessly helps lower water usage in the home. It reduces the stress of needing to monitor the behaviors of children constantly or worrying about houseguests. More efficient plumbing fixtures and upgrades can ensure that utility costs remain affordable and everyone in the home is doing their part to conserve.
Continue reading if you need options for water conservation at your home in West Boylston or Falmouth, MA. We can help you find the most effective options to meet your needs.
Automate Sprinkler Systems
Correctly timed sprinkler systems often use much less water for a perfectly watered lawn than homeowners achieve with a hose. Green sprinkler systems enable the homeowner to use water only when and where needed. Setting up the system to operate after the sun sets avoids excessive evaporation, so the lawn receives the most benefit from the least amount of water. Using timers and monitoring prevents excessive runoff from over-watering. Automated systems also mean homeowners can continue their lawn care while on vacation without worrying about relying on house sitters or neighbors who may unintentionally use too much water.
Upgrade Water Heaters
Many people install tankless water heaters to save energy without realizing they also offer water-saving benefits. Tankless heaters warm the water on demand to provide almost instant hot water. Waiting for water to heat before stepping into a shower, filling a tub, or rinsing dishes can mean wasting hundreds of gallons weekly in a busy home. The waste also includes smaller tasks like washing hands, filling a mop bucket, and more. Installing a tankless water heater can enable all family members to take quicker showers, using nearly every drop from the showerhead. This benefit lasts all year but can be especially beneficial as family members shower more often during the summer because of the heat and from rinsing off when returning from the beach or the pool.
Install Low-Flow Fixtures
Low-flow fixtures reduce the volume of water used while the fixture is in on. The average person washing their hands with a traditional faucet typically uses about four gallons of water if they leave the water running while scrubbing their hands and one gallon if they shut the tap off while scrubbing. Replacing kitchen and bathroom faucets, showerheads, and toilets with low-flow options can save a lot of water without worrying about changing habits. Replacements can help reduce the amount of water people use, even if they forget to turn off the tap while at the sink.
Dual-flush toilets, which offer two flushing options, are a simple upgrade that eliminates the need for additional flushes. These designs are perfect for homeowners who have avoided low-flow fixtures because they were concerned about not having the water level or pressure for their needs. The fixtures offer a low-flow alternative with both flushing modes but provide one option that slightly increases the water used for more effectiveness.
Upgrade Faucet Aerators
Homeowners with low-flow faucets can consider having an updated aerator installed. The change can add convenience and more water savings. Aerators are screens on the faucet that adjust the water stream to provide more water pressure. The added pressure helps remove stubborn debris when handwashing or when rinsing dishes. It gives additional pressure without the need to increase the water flow. This small change can save many gallons during the summer as people host more friend and family gatherings and when school-age kids are now home during the day.
Replace Exterior Valves
Ensure your outside hose is not sabotaging your water-saving efforts. A leaky shut-off valve could seem like a minor concern, but a constant drip from the outside spigot could add up to hundreds of gallons of water lost throughout the summer. Consider having DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling replace the outside spigot as they install a new valve to reduce the possibility of leaks from an outdated fixture.
Leaks involving an outdoor faucet may not always occur at the spigot. The problem could be inside the basement in a less noticeable area. A leaky pipe or connection is the most common reason a garden hose or outside spigot loses water pressure. If noticing any pressure loss, find the source of the problem or contact help.
Upgrade Your Dishwasher
All dishwashers provide water-saving benefits over handwashing, but upgrading to a newer model can help reduce water waste even more. Updated dishwashers offer effective washing that does not require people to rinse the dishes before loading them into the unit. These same models frequently use less water for each cycle than older versions.
Falmouth area homeowners who currently hand wash their dishes may want to consider installing a dishwasher. Even in homes with only one or two people, the appliance can help conserve water. Studies have shown that you do not need to wait until you have a full load to run the appliance efficiently. Even half-filled loads used less water than washing the same number of dishes by hand.
Replace Leaky Pipes
The summer months are a convenient time to schedule a plumbing inspection. Homeowners often do not notice small leaks until their utility bills become excessive or there is extensive water damage. Addressing problems while they remain minor can avoid extra costs and damage and prevent water waste. A complete inspection of the plumbing in the home will also enable people to get recommendations from DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for additional changes and upgrades that could help them conserve more water. Ask us about pipe repair!
Inspect the Water Main
Even the most conservative and careful homeowners may feel they are using too much water. The problem may not involve the behavior of the people in the home. It can develop because of leaks at the water main. A damaged water main could cause leakage before the water even reaches the house. At DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we can provide a complete inspection service to determine where any excess usage occurs to enable the correction of the problem before the loss increases.
Conserve More With Professional Assistance
Our team at DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling provides extensive plumbing services to ensure our clients in the West Boylston and Falmouth areas can meet their water conservation goals. We are a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated business with nearly a century of serving our community. Our team focuses on ensuring our clients get the help they need as efficiently and affordably as possible. We also provide additional heating and cooling services, commercial AC services, and excavation work.
If you are ready to eliminate water waste in your Falmouth and West Boylston home this summer, contact DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to schedule an appointment.
