Conserving Water Made Easy!
The Drought Problem
If you are a California resident, you are probably aware that our state is in the middle of a severe drought. As the drought continues for a third year, conserving water is more important than ever. There are many ways we can save water at home by simply making small changes in our daily habits – and small changes can lead to big savings!
According to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Director Karla Nemeth, water conservation is our best tool in the midst of ongoing drought despite investments made by the state in water-saving tools and technologies.
Solutions
Because water is our business, we checked out DWR’s website saveourwater.com to see what resources they had to offer. The site is full of interesting links like a water calculator where you can track your water footprint.
We also found numerous tips – many relatively simple – on how to conserve water, indoors and out, including the following:
- Grab a wrench and fix leaks inside and outside your home. This is a big one – one drip every second adds up to 5 gallons a day!
- Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute. That’s up to 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
- Turn off the water while washing your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month.
- Wash full loads of clothes and dishes. Washer: Saves 15 to 45 gallons per load. Dishwasher: Saves 5 to 15 gallons per load.
- Using a broom to clean outdoor areas can save 6 gallons every minute.
- Landscape with water-wise plants. Check with your local water agency for the best plants for your area. It is best to use water-wise, California-native plants when possible.
How We Can Help You Save Water
One tip, in particular, caught our eye: Install an instant water heater so you don’t have to run the water while it heats up.
So true! How many times during the day do you turn on the hot water tap only to wait minutes for hot water to actually come out?
Here’s what this boils down to: An average home has 125 feet of 3/4 inch pipe. This holds 3.14 gallons of water. If hot water is used 10 times per day, 31 gallons of water is wasted running the faucets or shower to get the hot water. In a year, this equals 11,461 gallons of water! Now, that’s a waste of water – not to mention your time!
And, yes, the solution is to install a recirculation pump.
How it Works
In typical homes with one-way plumbing without a recirculation pump, water is simply piped from the water heater through the pipes to the tap. Once the tap is shut off, the water remaining in the pipes cools, producing another long wait for hot water the next time the tap is opened.
By adding a recirculation pump, water is circulated through the cool pipes from the heater to the farthest fixture. The cool water is circulated back to the heater via the cold-water line, and no water is wasted during the wait. The energy use of the recirculation pump is less than operating a 25-watt light bulb.
The pumps we install are designed to be paired with our tankless water heating systems and will ensure instant hot water no matter how far your water needs to travel.
Contact Arnett’s Water Systems Today
Arnett’s Water Systems is the #1 provider of Noritz tankless water heaters in San Diego County. Contact us today to discuss personalized, energy-efficient water system options. We’ll help you find the perfect solution for your budget.
Experience the difference with better water!