Living in a mostly dry country like Australia, many of us are all too familiar with taking extra measures to save our precious water levels. In addition to the impact of excess water usage on our environment, comes the increasing cost of water bills putting pressure on Australian families. Here are some simple measures you can implement to start saving water in your home today! Reducing your household’s water usage is not only beneficial to the environment, it will help save you money too.
Upgrade to a Dual Flush Toilet
Most commonly found in older homes, single flush toilets are actually one of the largest water consumers in any household. Presenting a much more efficient alternative, the dual flush toilet system allows for greater control over the volume of water being flushed in your bathroom. An Australian invention dating back to 1980, the dual flush system provides a half flush option for liquid waste; in addition to the standard full flush for solid waste.
Where a single flush system will always use 9L of water per flush, the half flush option has the benefit of using only 3L. By lessening the amount of water required each time you flush the toilet, these more economical systems will help you see a reduction on your next water bill. Every litre less that is used in flushing will save a family of four $17.50 per year in water consumption, based on 4 flushes/day and water at $2.99/kL (energy.gov.au). If you’re interested in upgrading your single flush toilet system to the more economical dual flush system, speak to the experts at Service Today about the different options available.
Fix Those Leaks!
Leaking taps do more than just keep you awake all night with their constant dripping – did you know that a tap leaking at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 12,000L of water a year? (YourHome.gov.au). That’s water you’ll be paying for, but not ever consuming! Fixing the leaks in your home – be it a leaking tap, leaking pipes or a leaking toilet – will save a considerable amount of water, in turn saving you money on water bills. Our Service Today plumbers offer an expert leak detection service, to pinpoint the exact location of any leaks in your home and ensure they are repaired ASAP.
Take Note of Water Ratings
The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) is an Australian scheme helping consumers become more aware of water efficiency ratings for different appliances on the market. The next time you are looking to purchase a new dishwasher, washing machine, toilet, shower head etc.; look for the WELS star rating label. This is a rating from 1 – 6 stars, which indicates the item’s water efficiency. The more stars, the more water-efficient the product is. The label will also indicate the product’s rate of water consumption, allowing you to estimate how much water it will use. By taking note of these ratings and figures, you can make a more informed decision about the water usage requirements of any new items you purchase.
Be Dishwasher Savvy
Dishwashers are a common feature in many kitchens these days, but did you know they are also the highest water consuming appliance in the kitchen? By taking note of the WELS star rating and selecting a model of dishwasher that is more water efficient, you will save money in the long run.
Apart from the WELS rating, making a habit of only running your dishwasher when it is full and activating shorter cycles will use much less hot water. Most modern dishwashers have an eco (economy) cycle, which will also assist with cutting down on water usage. Rinsing your dishes before loading them into the machine will ensure they still get a thorough clean, even during a shorter cycle.
Is it Time to Update Your Shower Head?
Showers are one of the easiest places to make a change and reduce your home’s water usage. Apart from the obvious “take shorter showers” advice, have you considered updating your shower head to a more water efficient model? According to YourHome.gov.au, ‘an inefficient shower head can use between 15L and 25L of water every minute, while an efficient WELS 3 star rated one gives a high quality shower using as little as 5L every minute’ – proving a considerable difference in water usage! Make sure you closely inspect the WELS rating on any new shower head purchase, which should identify the water flow rate in litres per minute.
If you are keen to start saving water in your home today, give the experts at Service Today a call on 1300 859 383 or book an appointment online now. From upgrading your toilet to a more economical dual flush system, to detecting and repairing any plumbing leaks in your home – Service Today are qualified to provide a full range of plumbing services in the residential suburbs of Sydney, Wollongong, Central Coast, Melbourne, Geelong and Adelaide.
Service Today have been in business for over 10 years, gaining extensive knowledge and experience in the plumbing industry along the way. If you ever need an emergency plumber, Service Today are here for you 24/7.
