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samedi 22 mars 2014

Ways For Homeowners To Save Water

By Francis Holt


The idea of a "green" home will often conjure images of solar panels, or other things that make homes more energy efficient. While energy and heat efficiency are undeniably important to making a house green, those alone aren't enough. Another much more vital resource that homes should conserve is water. Good old H2O. Without access to clean water, nothing on the planet would be able to survive. Even if your home was not built with water efficiency in mind, there are steps you can take to save water each day.

To see where water can be saved in the home, let's take a look at where it's used the most. The kitchen, bathrooms and laundry areas certainly have some of the biggest water requirements, but water is also used for irrigation, along with use in outdoor systems, like sprinklers.

Much of the water used in a modern household is through cleaning appliances. Today's washing machines and dishwashers have seen great strides in the area of water-efficiency. Compared to models just a decade old, modern models use far less water. This is due in no small part to the more specific settings that can be tailored to the job at hand. If you are washing a few thin shirts as opposed to a thick, heavy comforter, less water is required. Therefore, the machine can be set to use less for lighter loads.

There is always at least a single sink in any kitchen setup. To save water in this room, you may opt for a low-flow faucet that uses a lower volume of water. However, they are usually able to accomplish this without sacrificing water pressure. Water heaters that heat water as it flows to the tap are a great alternative to standard types, where you need to let it flow in order to get the hot water.

The bathroom is one of the biggest culprits for water usage. There are steps that can be taken to reduce the amount of water that each fixture uses. Low-flow showerheads and toilets are great way to cut back. The amount of money these fixtures save often means that they eventually pay for themselves. Homeowners often relish having the chance to landscape their yard. It can be a blank slate with which to create something beautiful and unique. Having a yard that is both gorgeous and water-efficient is very achievable. A xeriscaped yard is certainly an option. This technique uses plants that are suited to surviving on minimal water and having a mostly graveled yard. If that's not your style, irrigation systems are a great way to water more conventional setups. They are both more efficient and more effective than sprinklers.

Being water-efficient is good for both the wallet and the environment. It is a good idea to look for ways to cut back on water usage, and choose the options that will complement a water-efficient lifestyle.




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