Water
TIPS (how to reduce water consumption by 50%):
Replace your toilet with a low-flow toilet. Check Consumer Reports for the best ones.
Replace your shower heads for a low-flow shower head
Put aerators in your sink
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Make These 3 Changes To Save Money on Your Water Bill
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Simple Ways to Cut the High Cost of Hot Water
MAKE SAVING WATER A NO-BRAINER
Water Conserrvation In and Around your Home
Making the Most of the Water in Your Home
Instead of spending big bucks on bottled water, drink the stuff that comes from your faucet. If you are squeamish (Americans really do have some of the best tap water in the world) buy a water filter which can provide you with unlimited supply of purified water with less waste. For comparisons go to www.waterfiltercomparisons.net . To find out if you really need to filter your tap water and which filter is right for you start by checking out the water quality in you town…… go to www.epa.gov/safewater and click on “Local Drinking Water Quality”. Then test the water. To find a licensed lab to test your water go to www.epa.gov/safewater/labs. If you find elevated levels of lead, copper, arsenic, mercury, barium, nitrates or bacteria then find the filter that will work for you. To find licensed dealers and complete list of certified filters by contaminant or brand got to www.nsf.org
Fix that leaky toilet or faucet. A dripping faucet can waste up to 74 gallons a day and a leaking toilet up to 200 gallons a day. Repairing a leaky toilet may save you up to $30 a year or 73,000 gallons of water a year.
40% of your water bill goes towards toilet flushing. Conserve water and save money by filling a plastic bottle with water and placing it inside the tank. The extra space it takes saves up to two gallons per flush.
Save even more using a low flow showerhead. It forces air into the water to make a strong spray with less water. Try the “lowest flow showerhead” for about $12 at www.gaiam.com or check other water efficiency showerheads at www.niagaraconservation.com and www.energyfederation.org/consumer
Go to www.epa.gov/watersense that has labeling system for different models of high efficiency toilets that makes it easier to save water at home.
www.h2ouse.org has a calculator that will save you money on your next bill. Check it out!
www.wateruseitwisely.com lists the best water conservation tips by region.
This Easy Fix Can Save You Money on Your Water Heating Bill Every Month - Clark Howard
Heating water takes 13% of the energy budget in a typical home.
A tank less heater, usually powered by natural gas or electricity costs about twice what a conventional heater costs but it can save up to 50% in energy use. There are also solar water heating systems that range from $2,500 to $3,000 including installation and produce about 80 to 100 gallons of hot water per day. There is also a new do-it-yourself kit for solar water heating: visit www.fafco.com
Use the calculator at www.newdream.org/water/calculator to see how much money you save on water consumption by drinking tap water or filtered water instead of bottled water you buy. Most bottled water we buy is just repackaged tap water!
Test your tap water:
Before deciding if you need a filter know if your tap water is safe to drink
If using municipal water you should get an annual water quality report (CCR) or Consumer Confidence report. If you are not getting it call the local water supplier and if you rent call your landlord. If the systems has 100,000 or more people you can get this report online at epa.gov/ccr. Look for found contaminants above government cutoffs, potential health risks what is being done and what you can do. If any questions call local supplier, the EPA's drinking water hotline at 800-426-4791
If using a well water you don't have a CCR so you should get water tested. EPA recommends using a certified lab. Find one at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Testing typically cost $20-150. Community might provide test kits for free.
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How to Test Your Tap Water - Consumer Reports
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This Easy Fix Can Save You Money on Your Water Heating Bill Every Month
21 Ways to Save Water and Money
QUOTES:
Saving With Shorter Wash Cycles: I found that washing my clothes under the permanent press cycle instead of normal takes less time, water, and electricity. The clothing still comes out clean for me. And I do the same with my dishwasher. I set it on "light load," using less time, water, and electricity. I get the same result. They come out just as clean as when I use the regular wash. This may not work for everyone, but it works for me.
Donna from Dollar Stretcher Tips