Summertime in Perth is hot and dry, with the temperatures averaging 31 degrees. With the warm weather approaching, it’s time to start thinking about conserving water. Not only does it help the environment, but it also helps us to save money.
Even with the scorching heat, there are still many ways we can save water in our households – not only during the summer but also all year round. Here are a few:
Toilets
Check your toilet for water leaks. According to the Water Corporation, a constant trickle into the toilet bowl wastes around 9,000 litres of water a year. One way to check the toilet for leaks is to open the tank, drop some dye or food colouring in and wait around 10 to 15 minutes. If you see coloured water in the toilet bowl, then you have a leak.
Save water by only using the half flush option on your toilet. If you only have a single-flush toilet, consider upgrading to a dual flush system to save at least 80 litres of water a day.
Showers
Did you know that almost a quarter of the household water is used in the shower? Try to limit your showers to four minutes. According to authorities, by reducing your shower time to four minutes, you can save up to 30% of water.
You can also consider installing a water-saving showerhead. It works by reducing the amount of water you use per minute by up to 15 litres. By replacing your old showerhead with a water-saving showerhead, you can save up to 20,000 litres of water per year.
Dishwashers
Another way of saving water and money is not pre-rinsing your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. Pre-rinsing can double your water usage. Also, if you pre-rinse your dishes, the sensors in the dishwasher will not likely pick up any dirt and food particles; thus, it will run a shorter cycle. The dishes will then not be cleaned properly and you will have to wash them again and waste more water.
Fix Leaking Taps
Inspect all the taps around your home for any leaks. Some dripping taps can be fixed by replacing the leaking washer. If the issue seems to be worse, contact a licensed plumbing and gas fitter for an assessment.
Install Flow-Controlled Aerators
Reduce water consumption by installing flow-controlled aerators into all your tapware in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry. These water-saving devices either fit onto the end of the tap or can be inserted inside the existing spout. They control the amount of water that flows through the tap without affecting the water pressure as they mix water with air. The aerator restricts the amount of water that flows through it.
Turn Off Your Taps While Washing or Brushing
According to the Water Corporation, if you turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, you can save up to 10 litres per minute. The same goes for handwashing – turn off the tap while rubbing your hands with soap.
Save Water, Save Money, and Save the Earth
For more water-saving tips, visit the Water Corporation’s website. We all play a big part in protecting our planet, and one of the simplest ways is to save water.
If you’d like to discuss any cost-effective water-saving techniques or have any plumbing and gas queries, please do contact our team at Link Plumbing and Gas Service. Call us at 6252 0326 or email us at admin@linkplumbing.net.au.
