You probably don’t spend much time thinking about your home’s water consumption. You take a shower in the morning and water the lawn, but you probably use far more water in your home than you realize.
- Indoor Water Use
The majority of the water used in your home is in the bathroom. Toilets and showers are the biggest users. Each flush use 1-6 gallons, depending on the age of your toilets. After the bathroom, the laundry room is in second place.
A recent study by the National Association of Home Builders found that single-family homes built after the 1990s have an average of 3.1 toilets, 2.6 showers, and 2.3 bathtubs. Luckily, innovations in water-saving technology for showers and toilets have resulted in greater water efficiency in the home.
- Leaks Are Your Enemy
After bathrooms and the laundry room, leaks are the third highest consumer of indoor household water. Just one dripping faucet wastes gallons of expensive water each day. Make sure you are not throwing money down the drain and hire a professional to fix leaks, even when they seem minor.
- Kitchens Are Actually Pretty Efficient
You might be surprised to learn that when it comes to water use, kitchens are low on the list of consumers. Modern dishwashers are very efficient and effective. You can save water, and time, by not prewashing the dishes. Hand washing dishes tends to waste a lot of water.
- Lawns, Gardens, and Swimming Pools
The average home uses 276 gallons of water per day, and half is used outside the home.
Watering the lawn is obvious, but more and more homes have swimming pools that also contribute to high rates of outdoor water use.
Knowing more about how and where your home uses water will not only give you a better understanding of your monthly water bill, but it also can help you prioritize water usage and save money.
Find professionals to help you with your home’s water usage by visiting HBAofGreenville.com. You can also meet the professionals by attending the Southern Home and Garden Show September 20-22 at the Greenville Convention Center. Visit SouthernHomeandGardenShow.com to see a list of exhibitors.