Summer is already here, and during the busy season it is common to use more water than during the other months of the year. We know that watering your lawn, taking more frequent showers, washing your car can significantly increase your household water consumption, and you don’t want to deal with skyrocketing water bills this summer.
This time of the year also marks the drought season, hot weather across the country, bushfires and an increase of your water usage. According to Water NSW, just in Sydney, around 1500 megalitres of water are supplied everyday to 1.7 million homes and businesses. The government and businesses are using up to 30% of this, while the households use around 70%.
With the festive season approaching -Christmas, New Year and summer holidays-, we know that the last thing you want to do is deal with a plumbing emergency while celebrating.
Trust us, a few simple plumbing check-ups will save you money (and water) this summer. Our licensed plumbers created a list of 15 simple solutions that will save you money and water around your house this summer.
Indoor water saving tricks
1. Raise awareness around your water usage
Australia is the driest inhabited continent, and the frequent droughts, long periods of hot dry weather and constant risk of bushfires, make water an even more valuable resource. The most important tip is to be mindful of your water usage around your home and garden. If you can get the entire family involved with this fun summer project, you will be surprised at how much water you are saving and the impact it will have on your home.
2. Watch the clock when showering
When the thermometer hits the highest temperature intown, nothing is better than jumping into an icy shower but the numbers don’t lie. You can save up to 7,000 litres of water by cutting your shower in two minutes. If your partner and kids are getting involved, it may be up to 28,000 litres per annum and you’re still saving water (and money).
3. Check your taps and toilet for leakage
Leaks can turn your holiday season into a nightmare if you leave a tap or toilet leaks unattended, even if at first it seems to be small and inconsequential. Here is a fact: toilet leaks could waste over 4 litres per day. Has your water bills unexpectedly gone up? Have you noticed wet patches on your lawn or damp walls in your property? Have you been experiencing low water pressure? Well, that is probably a leak. The bigger the leak, the lower your water pressure.
If you think this sounds too difficult to handle yourself, just get in contact with the experts at Service Today and we’ll schedule the job.
Call a licensed plumber to check your house from leaks.
4. Be mindful of what you flush
Have you ever heard about the fatbergs? Let’s break it down.
A ‘fatberg’ is formed when wet wipes and other materials such as coffee grounds or soap scum mixed with grease and oils, and become a big single mass. According to Sydney Water statistics, 75% of the sewer has involved wet wipes and it costs around $8 million each year.
5. Use the dishwasher only when it is full
A dishwasher is more water efficient than washing by hand when you have a full load. Ask yourself this simple question: how long does it take to get hot water while wasting the cold? How much water do you use rinsing the sponges?
A full dishwasher uses around 12 litres of water to clean up to 140 items, while doing it by hand it may take up to 100 litres.
6. Switch the washing machine into cold temperatures
As the dishwasher needs to be full before turning on, the washing machine should be the same. Do you know that around 85% of the washer’s electricity is used to heat the water? Yet, your clothes will thank you later as cold water helps to preserve its colour and extends its life. Another way to save money and water is to reuse the grey water from your washing machine into your garden. Just be sure your laundry soap is eco-friendly.
For any plumbing needs, you can book with us online!
7. Buy water-efficient products and save water this summer
The dishwasher and washing machine are the most common water efficient appliances. Nowadays, toilets, faucets, urinals, taps and shower heads are becoming popular as well. Fortunately for all Australians homeowners, the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) provides the necessary information on water efficiency, so you can make an informed purchase and buy the products according to the best practices. Regarding to the numbers provided by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australians can save up to $2 billion by 2030, which is $175 per household.
8. Replace your old shower head for a new low-flow
Did you know that you can save up to 20 litres of water just replacing your old shower-head? There are many benefits of the low-flow shower head such as reducing the overall water consumption, reducing the amount of wastewater at home and using less energy to heat water, which means less CO2 emissions.
9. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth
It will probably sound obvious but it is not. If you brush your teeth for two minutes and you leave the tap running, you will use 30 to 50 litres of water each day just for teeth brushing. If you use water just to rinse your toothbrush and your mouth, you will use less than 2 litres of water which is over 90% saving.
10. Keep the cold water in the fridge
Who loves cold water when the highest temperature is here? Everyone does!
How long does it take to get icy water from the tap on a sunny day?
It will probably take a while, so instead of waiting a long time and throwing the water down the drain, the best way to save water this summer is by keeping a water jug or water bottles in the fridge pre-chilled and ready to go!
Outdoor water saving tricks
It is well known that everyone wants to keep their garden green and healthy, but watering can get wasteful if you do not follow these recommendations.
- Based on the Sydney Water Wise Guidelines, make sure you only run your sprinklers early in the morning before 10 am or after 4pm using a hand-held hose with trigger nozzle.
- Wash your car with a bucket of water and a sponge or a hand-held hose fitted with an instant on-off mechanism.
- Do not overflow when you are filling your pool.
- Cover up your pool, so you will avoid extra evaporation and will save water.
- Do not leave hose or taps running unattended.
The last piece of recommendation is better prevention than cure and probably cheaper. You can book in a professional licensed plumber at Service Today to inspect your property to keep your family safe.
The list above can help you to avoid causing property or water damage and wasting a precious resource. Most plumbing repairs will need a licensed and fully qualified plumber and cost you a fortune.
Within Service Today you can book a regular plumbing maintenance, and if you want to save money while you are looking after your home, sign into our Total Care Club, which offers exclusive deals and benefits.
