With 2023 just around the corner, you might be considering New Year’s resolutions! For some, it’s getting fit. For others, it’s learning a new skill. For some, it’s spending less money and saving more. If you’re in that last category, we can help!
One of the most overlooked ways of saving cash is reducing water usage. If you’re wondering, “Does that mean I should shower less in 2023? Or take super quick showers?” No, no, no, that’s not what we’re saying! There are better ways. Better smelling ways. One of the best ways to reduce water usage and lower utility bills is to install low-flow fixtures.
To learn more, we invite you to keep reading!
Low-flow Shower Heads
According to the EPA, standard showerheads spray 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Factoring in that the average length of a shower is 8 minutes, this adds up to about 20 gallons of water per shower. Considering the average household alongside these stats, many of us use about 14,600 gallons of water per year showering!
The EPA recommends installing WaterSense-labeled showerheads, which spray 2 gallons of water per minute. If you do the math, this will cut your water usage down from 14,600 gallons per year to 11,680. That’s 2,920 gallons saved per year! And if you’re concerned about these showerheads lessening the quality or comfort of your showers, you should know that great effort was made to ensure that they perform just as well or better than standard fixtures.
Another benefit of low-flow showerheads is they decrease your energy bill. Since you’re using less water, your water heater works less, which means it uses less electricity.
Low-flow Faucets and Aerators
To reduce water usage in your sinks, you have a couple of options: low-flow faucets or aerators. Installing a low-flow faucet means completely replacing your standard faucet with a WaterSense-labeled one. Comparatively, installing an aerator means adding a small mesh screen (that costs a few dollars) to your existing faucet to reduce water flow.
The EPA states that the standard faucet releases 2.2 gallons of water per minute, but a WaterSense faucet reduces water flow to 1.5 gallons per minute (a 30% decrease). They estimate that the average household could save 700 gallons of water annually by switching!
Like low-flow showerheads, low-flow faucets and aerators don’t require sacrificing effectiveness or water pressure. They also lessen the load on your water heater, resulting in a lower energy bill.
Remember there are many more fixtures and appliances you can install in your home: Dual-flush toilets, irrigation controls, sprinklers, and more. But we wanted to tell you about shower heads and faucets because they’re two of the most affordable and easy options to install, and therefore the best place to start! We hope these tips will help you meet your New Year’s goal of saving money. And if you’re looking to install a septic system or yours needs maintenance or repair, contact BBB Septic by clicking here!
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