I love my home but have determined it is a bottomless pit for finances. I have learned to conserve electricity and water by following a few easy steps:
Standard showerheads typically deliver four to five gallons per minute. Low-flow showerheads that use no more than 2.5 gallons per minute can be substituted. Ones that provide just a mist are not usually acceptable. Low-flow showerheads cost as little as $10 and should pay back that initial investment quickly in reduced energy bills.
Bathroom faucets usually have flow rates of 2 to 4 gallons per minute. Aerators cost just a few dollars, are easily installed, and can lower that rate to one-half to 1 gallon per minute. One nice feature that really extends the value of these energy saving devices is an on-off valve. It allows you to turn off and on the water without changing the mix between hot and cold water. In a shower, this feature allows you to lather up and scrub with the water shut off, then press the button and the water comes back on at the same temperature mix for rinsing off.
A dripping faucet wastes water and if it’s dripping hot water, it’s wasting energy, too. Often requiring nothing more than a new washer, fixing leaks is one of the quickest and least expensive ways of reducing your energy and water bills.
Another way to reduce waste is to take showers or baths depending on which uses less water. Some think showers use less hot water than baths, others say baths use more. They are both right. Which is correct for you depends on how long and hot your showers are and how deep and warm your baths are.
Watering your yard truly should stop but if you have to water, water at night when water is less likely to evaporate and the sun has gone down. If you are watering, be sure to cut the water off before you leave for work in the morning.
Some believe watering your foundation, especially in Texas, is a must and will keep a foundation from cracking. That is a myth. The soil under the home is what is going to keep the foundation from cracking or cause it to crack. When I built my home, I had it built on peer and beam only after I had an engineer examine the soil and make the correct recommendation for its foundation. I have an $87,000 home and I am not having as much trouble with foundation and cracking as my friends with multi-million dollar homes on a concrete foundation. Know your soil, know your climate and location before building.
During the recent Dyer Mill Fire, some people were recommending we water the foundation and around the yard to keep burning embers at bay; however, the heat of the day and heat from the fire nullified this idea. I didn’t water but stood outside with a water hose at the ready and a shovel to beat out embers. It worked and I saved money!
Another way I conserve water is by the way I take a bath/shower and wash and care for my hair. I have tried to reduce washing my hair everyday (not good for the hair follicles or natural hair oil your hair needs) to washing twice a week. I have short hair and do not get sweaty, so this has been a snap. I also take “hurricane” baths. I learned this trick out of necessity growing up in Mississippi during frequent storms. I do not fill up the tub with water but only enough to get wet – 1-inch to 2-inches max. When I take showers, I limit it to less than five minutes.
I also have learned to keep the sinks in the tub, shower and water basins free flowing – this adds not only to water conservation but also longevity of the pipes. Dripping faucets are also a no-no. If it is dripping, then something is not sealed and you are wasting water. A simple washer replacement can fix that. Also, check the caulking around your commode. Ensure the commode is level and installed properly, and check the seals, as this leads to unnecessary water usage and damage to floors.
I am a rancher. I have goats and horses, as well as outside pets. I have water flow meters on all my water water troughs. I keep the troughs clean from “duck” scum and often put gold fish in to eat the algae. The fish keep the water clean while keeping the float free from obstruction, and the meter ensures the water does not overflow onto the ground.