Daily Home Renovation Tips

Editor’s Note: To view the 500+ different energy and water conservation tips for the home we have collected, simply access our Un-Official Guide To Home Energy & Water Conservation, 2nd Edition

Today we review the remaining of the no cost ideas to reduce your home’s clean water consumption. Those of you in drought areas, listen up; lots of ideas here for you. Those fortunate not to live in drought areas, these are so simple to do that there’s no reason for you to start doing some of these if for no other reason that to save money through reduced water utility bills month after month after, well, month.

Number 425, Soak Pots / Pans While Scraping vs Running Water. We actually do this when we don’t think that the dishwasher will be able to get the baked on grime from the pot / pan. We let it soak in a little water (to give back the moisture removed from the baked on grime during the cooking) and are then able to remove it quite easily without needing the tap running.

Number 426, Use Leftover Water in Bottles for Plants. Of course, it’s clean enough for you to drink so why not for your plants if you cannot finish it? 

Number 427, Reduce Toilet Tank Water Level. Some people prefer to put things (e.g. bricks) in a toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used for each flush. However, every type of toilet tank we have ever had always had an ability to manually adjust the setting for how much water would be kept inside the tank. 

Number 428, Know Where Main Water Shutoff Valve is Located, in case you need it in a hurry so you don’t waste any fresh water due to a major water leak. 

Number 429, Collect Water Used to Rinse Things for Plants. Of course, why not? 

Number 430, Turn Main Tap Off When Away on Vacation. Interesting idea. Even when you are away, a minute amount of water is consumed by the hot water tank (if you have one), the toilets, etc. as water evaporates as well as any unknown water leaks. This also prevents against any  fresh water being wasted from any pipes which might burst or any new leaks which start when you are away.

Number 431, Use Fish Tank Water for Plants. We only have had a fish tank for a short while and never considered this. I’m not sure I would because after a while the soil might start to emit a unique odour; however, one of our visitors recommended it so I’ll leave it up to your discretion for those who do have indoor fish tanks. 

Number 432, Bring Snow Inside to Melt & Water Indoor Plants.  Another really good idea. It costs you nothing except for a few minutes to collect the snow in a container and then waiting a short while for it to melt into water at room temperature before using on your indoor plants.

Number 433, Use Some Bath Water for Garden, and Number 434, Use Some Bath Water for Trees.  It’s not something I have ever done; however, several people mentioned these as ideas to reduce the amount of fresh water consumed in the home by reusing what is knows as ‘grey water’ for another use.

Number 435,  Full Clothes Washing Machine Loads. As was the case with the dishwasher for dishes, avoid small or partial loads when running your clothes washing machine.

Number 436,  Put Left Over Brick in Toilet Tank. The theory is that one does not need as much water in the toilet tank for most flushes. By placing a brick inside the toilet tank, it takes up room that would otherwise be constantly refilled by fresh water after each flush. A lot of people recommended this one to us.

Number 437, Only Use Hot Water for Showers. If you use cold water for everything else then you won’t waste fresh water when  you run the tap waiting for the hot water to appear. 

Number 438, Turn Off Water Heater When Away on Vacation. You know, we have never done this I’m ashamed to say. Of course this should be done. For those with a hot water tank, why continually heat the water, causing it to evaporate more quickly than if it was not heated, when no one is around to use the heated water?  

Number 439, Bathe Children Together. Pretty common practice with young children, usually to save the Mom or Dad time. Who knew it was also conserving fresh water and reducing the water utility bill all at the same time.

To look at the ideas for reducing the consumption of fresh water in the home which will cost you a little and possibly a lot to do, simply select this link to More Home Water Conservation Tips Inside.