Water Saving Tips

Reducing hot water wastage in your home can also lower your water heating costs. Here are 4 main ways you can save water, and money in the process.

Fix Leaks

You can significantly reduce hot water wastage by simply repairing leaks in fixtures (faucets and shower heads), or overhead pipes.

Signs of leaks could include damp walls or ceilings, or sudden increases in monthly consumption rates. If your storage water heater tank leaks, you need a new water heater. Alternatively, you could contact your local plumber to conduct regular checks for leaky pipes and fixtures.

Monitor Flow Rates

One way to conserve water would be to ensure that the flow rate is not over the prescribed level. The prescribed levels are as follows:

Area of Usage Water Efficient Flow Rate

Basin Tap 2 litres/min

Kitchen Tap 6 litres/min

Shower Tap 7 litres/min

If the flow rates of the fixtures in your home are above the prescribed rate, it would be a good idea to contact your plumber to adjust them for maximum efficiency over the long run.

Shower Head

For maximum water efficiency, select a shower head with a flow rate.

There are two basic types of low-flow shower heads: aerating and laminar-flow. Aerating shower heads mix air with water, forming a misty spray. Laminar-flow shower heads form individual streams of water. If you live in a humid climate, you might want to use a laminar-flow shower head as it will not create as much steam and moisture as an aerating one.

Here’s a quick test to determine whether you should replace a showerhead:

Place a bucket — marked in litre increments — under your shower head.
Turn on the shower at the normal water pressure you use.
Time how many seconds it takes to fill the bucket to the 4-litre mark.

If it takes less than 20 seconds to reach the 4-litre mark, you could benefit from a low-flow shower head.

Faucets

The aerator (the screw-on tip of the faucet) determines the maximum flow rate of a faucet.

Typically, new kitchen faucets come equipped with aerators that restrict flow rates to 2.2 GPM, while new bathroom faucets have ones that restrict flow rates from 1.5 to 0.5 GPM. Aerators are inexpensive to replace and they can be one of the most cost-efficient water conservation measures. For maximum water efficiency, purchase aerators that have flow rates of no more than 1.0 GPM. When replacing an aerator, bring the one you’re replacing to the store with you to ensure a proper fit.