If you are an individual who likes to be environmentally friendly, then you probably know that reducing water waste is one of the best things you can do for the earth. The average American uses about 570 liters (150 gallons) of water a day. Much of this water flows down the drains and ends up in water treatment facilities. These businesses must consume a great deal of energy to remove contaminants from the fluid. While a few simple adjustments to your daily routine can greatly reduce water waste, so can the installation of certain items in your home. Keep reading to learn about a few of them so you can stop wasting clean water.
Low Flow Aerators
Almost all home faucets contain small heads on the ends of the taps called aerators. These devices help to do a number of things. They shape the water coming out of the tap and they help to keep the water from splashing as it falls. They reduce noise from the faucet as well. One of the most important things the aerator does is conserve water by reducing the flow of water through the tap. The device also mixes the water with air. While the flow of water is reduced, air in the water makes it seem like water pressure has actually increased. This pressure helps you wash your hands, dishes, and body.
A typical aerator is made up of several different parts. These include the housing, insert, and rubber washer. The housing holds the pieces together, and the rubber washer reduces the flow of water through the tap. The insert part of the aerator contains one or several screens. Holes in this insert allow air to be pulled into the stream of water. The water and air then mix, and the screen at the end of the tap forces the water stream to break into small droplets.
While the average aerator can save quite a bit of water, low-flow aerators can reduce water usage by about 50%. They do this with a larger washer that further restricts water moving through the tap. They typically have screens with smaller openings as well to increase pressure and to create smaller water droplets. To change the aerators on your faucets, simply screw off the old ones and screw on the new ones.
Aerator parts may build with hard water deposits over time, and this can reduce water pressure. If water pressure reduces significantly, then remove the aerator parts and place them in a small dish of white vinegar. The vinegar will dissolve the minerals so water can flow through the aerator again.
Toilet Tank Additives
If you have an average toilet, then you will use quite a bit of water when you flush it. If your toilet was installed before 1992, then it likely uses the most water. About 3.5 to 7 gallons will be used every time you flush. While a high efficiency or low-flow toilet can help to reduce water usage substantially, a toilet replacement is likely to cost you between $212 and $499. This includes the toilet and the installation. This is may be your best option in the long run, since toilet components will break down over time. However, if you do not have the money to replace your toilet right away, then you should add a heavy object to the inside of the toilet tank instead.
A brick, a plastic bottle filled with sand, or a product like a toilet tank bank are all good choices. These things will reduce the amount of water it takes to fill up the tank. Since this water is pulled into the bowl from the tank when the toilet is flushed, less water will be used during the flushing process.
For more tips on reducing your water usage, contact a company like A Absolute Plumbing & Heating.
