Low Flow Will Have You
Saving Water In No Time

Low Flow Toilets

Saving water as a means of conservation is the simplest and most cost-effective and environmentally sound way to reduce our demand for water.

For instance, low flow toilets or low flow shower heads may be right for you if you're looking to curb your water usage and reduce your utility bill.

In 1994 the Federal Government mandated that all toilets for residential use could not exceed 1.6 gallons for each flush. The first designs were very problematic and the toilets frequently required 2 flushes to work properly.

But like most products that have initial problem, they are fixed and have come a long way from the original design and work much better.

And with water conservation becoming more and more important, another invention has come along – the double flush toilet. Double flush toilets have separate flushes. One can choose either a mega flush or the alternative of a mini rinse flush. These toilets use about 1.2 gallons for the mega flush.

Faucet Aerator

If you are serious about our energy conservation tips then you should consider the amount of water that is being wasted. An inexpensive faucet aerator can be installed to conserve water.

They reduce the water flow in varying amounts and inject air in the process of saving water. By injecting air they do not sacrifice pressure while saving water.

For Instance, you may want a higher flow in the kitchen and a lower flow in the bathroom(s). Therefore, it may be only appropriate to have a faucet aerator in the bathroom(s).

Make sure that your faucets don’t leak. It is difficult to figure out the amount of water a given faucet leaks without testing it.

But studies have shown that one average leaking faucet over a years time can waste thousands of gallons of our precious natural resource!

Low Flow Shower Heads

Conserve water and water heating with low flow shower heads. Some older heads let up to 5 gallons per minute go down the drain.

Newer low flow shower heads will cut this amount in half. There are some low flow shower heads that reduce the water used but maintain a similar pressure by naturally introducing air with the water stream. Check these out at your local hardware store. There is quite a selection of low flow shower heads to consider.

Dimmer Switches, Sensors And Timers

Install motion sensors or timers on lights in certain areas. Areas like closets, bathrooms and exterior lights. These are areas that the light are frequently left on. And in the case of exterior light, they are left on all day long.

Install dimmer switches in areas that are practical and often desirable to dim the lights. Dimming the lights is one of the easiest ways to save money. If you are using compact fluorescent bulbs, make sure you get light bulbs that feature dimming capabilities.

Weather Stripping

One of the main home energy conservation tips in to seal the outer envelope of your home and to make sure that you have adequate weather stripping around the doors including the thresholds.

If you run your hand around the door and feel a draft or if you can see light coming through, it is time to replace or add weather stripping. Placing foam gaskets behind all electrical outlets on the exterior walls reduces drafts.

Weather stripping is inexpensive yet is one of the practical home energy saving ideas that you can easily complete.

Go to Other Pages in This Series