According to federal government agencies, the average person uses 100 gallons of water a day – and water heating accounts for about 12 percent of the typical family’s power bill every month. Put those two statistics together, and it’s easy to see how reducing your water consumption can have such a big impact on your power bill. For just a couple of dollars each, replace the aerators on your bathroom faucets with new, water-saving ones that flow at 1.5 gallons per minute or less – about half the flow of your current aerators. You likely won’t even notice the difference when you’re washing your hands or brushing your teeth.
Tip No. 1: The threads on faucets vary, so take the old aerators with you to the hardware store or home center so you can match the new ones to them.
Tip No. 2: When you install a new aerator, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure the rubber washer is installed correctly. Also note that some aerators are designed to be hand-tightened; using pliers may damage the aerator.
Tip No. 3: If you have a leaky faucet, repair or replace it. A faucet that drips enough to fill a cup in 10 minutes will waste more than 3,000 gallons of water a year.
Tip No. 4: When you’re ready to buy a new faucet, look for one with the EPA’s WaterSense label. For a list of qualified faucets and aerators – as well as watersaving showerheads and toilets – go to www.epa.gov/watersense.
