5 Ways to Save Water This Summer

With summer fast approaching, water use in California is about to take a sharp climb. Hot weather often means more showers, more watering of lawns and gardens, and more parties (which lead to more dishes and cleaning). How can you do your part to help the environment, and help yourself save gallons and dollars alike?

Minimize and Time Watering

We get thirsty when it’s hot out, so it stands to reason our grasses and plants are a bit parched too. But be careful before you reach for the hose or turn on the sprinkler. Most of us overwater, says the EPA. Smart sprinklers and irrigation systems can take advantage of data on local weather and vegetation so they don’t water too much. If you must water, do so earlier or later in the day when the sun isn’t as high in the sky and less water is lost to evaporation.

Don’t Hand Wash

With company coming and the kids home from school, we’re using more dishes than usual. Use your dishwasher rather than washing by hand to conserve water and power alike (bonus tip: wash at night when it’s cooler and you’ll save on AC as well).

And it’s not just your dishes that shouldn’t be hand-washed. Your car should go through the car wash as well, since it uses roughly a third of the water you’d use if you washed by hand!

Time Your Showers

We understand. A cool shower feels wonderful at the end of a day that’s left you hot and sticky. But as luxurious as it is, a long shower wastes water. Shaving two minutes off per shower can save up to 150 gallons of water per month (and speaking of shaving, don’t keep the water running the whole time you’re shaving).

Check Your Fixtures

Plumbing fixtures are a common cause of water loss. Sometimes this is through wear and leakage, which is a good time to call for Sacramento plumbing repair. Other times it’s simple neglect, which is no less frustrating or wasteful — your kid finally remembers to wash his hands before dinner, but leaves the tap with a steady drip, or you get distracted when the phone rings while you’re rinsing veggies. Make sure nothing’s leaking, and that everything’s turned off when it’s not in use.

Install New Fixtures if Needed

Even high-quality fixtures wear out over time. You might even consider replacing plumbing fixtures that are still in good condition in order to further conserve water. Low-flow shower heads and kitchen faucets, lower-capacity or dual-flush toilets, and other items can help in this regard.

At Home Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning, we’ve got a long history of helping businesses and homeowners spend less on energy and water through good old-fashioned conservation. If you need help — whether it’s plumbing repair, tips on energy rebates, or anything else that keeps your water needs met — get in touch with us!