4 Ways to Conserve Water This Winter
You’ve probably seen articles on the Internet offering tips for summertime water conservation. Everybody knows that the summer season tends to require a lot of water use, and a lot of water waste—especially for those with large lawns and gardens. What’s talked about less is the need for water conservation during the winter months. Though it’s less talked about, it’s no less important: Cold weather brings its own drains on your effective water use, and learning to be conservative with your household water can save you big on your utility bills.
Winter may not be here yet, but it’s coming quite soon; many of us are already experiencing the first gusts of cool weather. As such, it’s a good time to review a handful of smart water-saving tips, specifically for the fall and winter seasons.
First, get a shower bucket. During the colder months, it may take a bit longer for your shower water to get hot—but what happens to all the water you have to run in order for it to get there? Rather than waste it, collect it in a bucket. You can use that water to feed your plants, or even to flush the toilet.
On a related note, the reason it takes your water so long to get hot is because it has to travel through a fair amount of piping to get from your water heater to your faucet—and if that piping is not insulated, then the water is basically being exposed to the cold elements. Call one of our plumbers to help you add some insulation.
Drip your faucets at night. This may seem counterintuitive, and in fact it may seem like a waste of water. Consider this, though: Dripping water, just a tiny bit, can keep pressure from building up in your pipes, which in turn prevents them from bursting should the pipes ever freeze. In the long run, then, it’s a conservative move to make: A little drip at night is much less wasteful than a ruptured pipe!
Finally, because there’s no absolute foolproof way to prevent against a burst pipe, make sure you know exactly where the water shutoff valve is in your home! Again, in a worst-case scenario, this will prevent you from wasting any more water than you have to.
To learn more about the best practices for wintertime water conservation, don’t hesitate to call our team today!
