• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Travel Policy
  • Testimonials
  • Careers
858.587.2874
Ivey Engineering
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Travel Policy
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
    • Scholarship Contest
  • Expertise
    • Overview
    • HVAC
    • Plumbing
    • Fire Suppression
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Carbon Monoxide
    • Building Codes
    • Design
    • Construction
    • Facility Condition Assessment
  • Services
    • Overview
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Defects
    • Estimating & Cost Analysis
    • Building System Evaluation
    • Forensic Investigation & Failure Analysis
    • HVAC & Plumbing Design
    • Indoor Cultivation Facility Design
    • Professional Liability
    • Product Testing
  • Our Team
    • Conrad Gonzalez
    • Kevin Hastings, P.E.
    • Nancy Ivey
    • William Ivey, P.E.
    • Jorie Obias-Yambao
    • Joseph Palanca, P.E.
    • Rush Porter
    • Gloria Rodriguez
    • Nova Sevilla
    • David Shreve, P.E.
    • Felix Touza, P.E.
    • Lisa Zollinger
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Ask an Expert
    • Request Fee Schedule
    • Request Resume
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Menu Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Travel Policy
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
    • Scholarship Contest
  • Expertise
    • Overview
    • HVAC
    • Plumbing
    • Fire Suppression
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Carbon Monoxide
    • Building Codes
    • Design
    • Construction
    • Facility Condition Assessment
  • Services
    • Overview
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Defects
    • Estimating & Cost Analysis
    • Building System Evaluation
    • Forensic Investigation & Failure Analysis
    • HVAC & Plumbing Design
    • Indoor Cultivation Facility Design
    • Professional Liability
    • Product Testing
  • Our Team
    • Conrad Gonzalez
    • Kevin Hastings, P.E.
    • Nancy Ivey
    • William Ivey, P.E.
    • Jorie Obias-Yambao
    • Joseph Palanca, P.E.
    • Rush Porter
    • Gloria Rodriguez
    • Nova Sevilla
    • David Shreve, P.E.
    • Felix Touza, P.E.
    • Lisa Zollinger
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Ask an Expert
    • Request Fee Schedule
    • Request Resume
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
You are here: Home1 / Plumbing2 / 7 Water Conservation Tips You Can Try at Home
water running from showerhead

7 Water Conservation Tips You Can Try at Home

in Plumbing/by Lisa Zollinger

The water we use on a daily basis is just as essential as the air we breathe. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a typical American household uses more than 300 gallons of water per day. On average, 70 percent of water usage occurs indoors and the other 30 percent is used outdoors.

As a society, we have become more environmentally conscious about water conservation methods. In 1992 Congress enacted the Energy Policy Act to mandate water usage limits for residential plumbing fixtures. For instance, toilets were required to use 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF); prior to the Act, toilets were using 3.5 GPF. Currently, in some states, newly adopted standards have since raised the bar for mandating low-consumption fixtures. One example is high-efficiency toilets that use 1.28 GPF.

As a consumer there are plenty of ways to be more water smart, which in turn will also help save energy. Here we have come up with 7 Water Conservation Tips You Can Try at Home.

1. Check your toilet, faucets and pipes for common leaks.

The EPA reports that 10 percent of homes lose 90 gallons or more of water each day due to common leaks. Most of these leaks are due to old or worn-out fixture components such as toilet flappers; faucet valve stem washers, gaskets, and o-rings; and shower valve cartridges.

person holding a wrench and repairing sink faucet

 

2. Replace your plumbing fixtures with more efficient ones.

Bathrooms use the largest amount of water, so it makes sense to upgrade showerheads, faucets and even toilets with better performing fixtures. Replacing showerheads with an EPA Watersense-labeled model can save four gallons of water every time you take a shower.

water running from faucet into tub

3. Upgrade to high-efficiency appliances.

Although this water conservation tip may prove to be more expensive, it could possibly save you the most water overall. Older dishwashers consume as much as 14 gallons of water per cycle. If it’s in your budget, consider buying a newer high-efficient dishwasher which will use about four to six gallons of water per cycle.

Older clothes washers consume as much as 51 gallons per cycle. Investing in a newer high-efficient machine means saving up to 21 gallons of water per cycle.

 

dishwasher with a red cup on top rack

4. Lower your home’s water pressure.

Many homeowners unknowingly use too high of a water pressure. A water pressure of 40 to 45 psi is typically enough pressure in a single-story home to allow the fixtures to operate properly (add 5 psi for a two-story home and 10 psi for a three-story home). If you aren’t sure what the pressure is, have a plumber check it for you, and if needed, have a pressure reducing valve (PRV) installed on the main line. This will not only help save water, but will also save your pipes.

5. Address hot-water delivery time.

Does it seem like it takes forever to get hot water to your faucet, shower or tub? Check to see if the hot-water piping is properly insulated. You could also have cold water crossing over at your fixtures. Depending on the length of the hot-water piping between the water heater and your furthest fixture, you may need a recirculating pump to prevent wasting water.

6. Implement general water-saving practices.

One of the easiest ways to save water is in daily household use. Did you know that a four-minute shower uses about 20 to 40 gallons of water? Try turning the shower off while soaping up and then on again to rinse off. Turning water off while brushing teeth or using a razor can also make a difference. When using the washing machine or dishwasher, fill to a maximum size load for optimum water conservation.

washing machine full of clothes

7. Conserve water outside.

Water conservation isn’t just for inside the house. For large landscapes, storm water and grey water systems are the most ideal methods to save water. For watering lawns, beds and shrubs, consider strategic placing of soaker hoses and utilizing drip irrigation.

grass blades with water droplets on top

Practicing all of these water conservation tips may seem overwhelming. Instead, pick one or two to start out with. Even a few small changes can add up to hundreds of gallons of water saved each year. Are there other water saving suggestions we left off the list? Tell us what you think in the comments below. And don’t forget Ivey Engineering for any plumbing expert witness needs you may have.

Tags: bathroom, home, plumbing
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
You might also like
man installing solar panels 6 Reasons Why Homeowners Should Go Solar
A sink filled with dirty water 14 Hilarious Real-Life Plumbing Commercials (YouTube)
A clogged kitchen sink filled with dirty water and utensils 5 Things to Do if You Want to Unclog Your Kitchen Sink
two kinds of LED light bulbs 7 Simple Tips to Make Your Home More Green
Fire sprinkler with water 4 Most Common Fire Sprinkler Systems: Pros and Cons
fire explosion experts investigate building fire 3 Steps Fire & Explosion Experts Use to Investigate a Building Fire
2 replies
  1. Tori Raddison
    Tori Raddison says:
    January 3, 2020 at 9:41 am

    It’s crazy that you can lose 90 gallons of water a day from just leaks in your faucets or pipes. I’ll have to double-check my plumbing for leaks soon. My water bill has gone up a lot so that’s probably the reason.

    • Lisa
      Lisa says:
      January 14, 2020 at 4:19 pm

      Tori,

      We’re glad you found the article useful! Thanks for your comment!

Comments are closed.

CONNECT on LinkedIn
FOLLOW on Twitter
CONNECT on Facebook

Recent Blog Posts

  • old copper gas boiler6 Most Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide PoisoningDecember 21, 2021 - 3:49 pm
  • Bottom of water heater showing a leak5 Plumbing Repairs You Should Leave to a ProfessionalAugust 13, 2021 - 4:52 pm
  • Two men discussing a building project at the site6 Tips to Hiring a Building Contractor for a Commercial ProjectJanuary 11, 2021 - 4:40 pm
  • white air conditioning vent in an office building7 Ways to Reduce Cooling Costs in Commercial BuildingsOctober 23, 2020 - 2:19 pm

Categories

  • Community
  • Construction
  • Courtroom
  • Electrical
  • Fire & Life Safety
  • HVAC
  • Plumbing
  • Sustainable Living

Archives

Tags

ancient architecture bamboo bathroom bloopers buildings celebrity change order civil action civil engineering claim class action clean clothes dryer comedy community composting court case courtroom drama energy consumption energy efficiency environmentally friendly expert witness featured fire & life safety fire protection hilarious history home house HVAC lawsuit mistakes movies plumbing rainwater harvesting remodel project renewable sources renovation settlement solar panels sustainability trial verdict

About Us

Ivey Engineering, based in San Diego, California, is an expert witness and forensic consulting firm. IEI serves clients in over 30 states. Our staff is comprised of engineers, former construction executives and service and repair professionals who are licensed in various states.

Get in Touch

Phone: 858.587.2874

Fax: 858.587.6749

E-mail: [email protected]

Address: 8330 Juniper Creek Lane

San Diego, CA 92126

From Our Blog

  • old copper gas boiler6 Most Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide PoisoningDecember 21, 2021 - 3:49 pm
  • Bottom of water heater showing a leak5 Plumbing Repairs You Should Leave to a ProfessionalAugust 13, 2021 - 4:52 pm
  • Fire sprinkler with water4 Most Common Fire Sprinkler Systems: Pros and ConsApril 20, 2021 - 3:29 pm
© Copyright 2022 - Ivey Engineering Inc.
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Expertise
  • Services
  • Our Team
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
5 Tips to Help Your Air Conditioning System Run More Efficientlyupclose view of fan blades of an air conditioning unitman serving as expert witness in a courtroomTop 4 Expert Witness Traits to Consider
Scroll to top