Are You Wasting Water Without Realizing It?
While you may not plan to waste water, it is easy to do so unknowingly and then continue to do so. Yes, you are probably using more water than you should right now and are not even aware of it! Even higher water bills may fail to warn you because, if the problem has been there for a long time, you have always paid the same amount of money.
At Option One, we routinely help homeowners in California, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wyoming enjoy superior plumbing and save water, so we are well-versed in the various ways you could be wasting water.
This blog will look at six ways you might be wasting water and what you can do about it.
1. Long Showers
Yes, you have heard it before, but it bears repeating because reducing the amount of time spent running water in the shower can make a BIG difference in your monthly water consumption. We recommend that you time your showers. If they are longer than five minutes, even if it does not appear to be a long time to you, it is still a little too long.
2. Leaks
Every year, nearly one trillion gallons of water is wasted due to hidden leaks in the U.S. alone. Sure, spotting a hidden leak is not easy, but you can keep an eye out for warning signs. If you suspect hidden leaks or have never had your home inspected for them, contact the expert plumbers at Option One for leak detection today.
3. Half-Loaded Dishwasher
Did you know that running the dishwasher uses less water than hand-washing your dishes? True—but only if the washer is used to its full capacity, i.e. when it is fully loaded. Running a half-loaded dishwasher can [unnecessarily] increase your water consumption.
4. Half-Loaded Washing Machine
As with dishwashers, you will only save water by running your washing machine when it is fully loaded. Also, if your current washing machine is more than ten years old, you may want to replace it with one that has water-saving features. (Buy one that has the WaterSense label.)
5. Old Toilet
A new WaterSense labeled toilet uses 1.28 gallons (or less) per flush, whereas your old toilet uses up to 6 gallons per flush. Making the switch from an outdated toilet to a high-performance, water-efficient model will help you save a lot of water, as the toilet accounts for roughly 30% of total water consumption in your home.
6. Unnecessary Toilet Flushes
Please do not use your toilet to dispose of trash! Using it to dispose of anything other than human waste and toilet paper not only wastes water but also increases the risk of clogs.
Start saving water today—contact Option One! Our team of experienced and skilled plumbers is always available to help you with any plumbing repairs or fixture replacements that will help you save water. We are dedicated to bringing homeowners in California, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wyoming quality and affordable plumbing solutions. Call us at 1-800-905-7115 or write to us at wo@optiononeplumbing.com to request a quote today!