save water
How do I reduce my water and energy consumption?
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With a few simple tips and tricks, you can save a lot of energy and water every year. We will show you how you can easily reduce your consumption.
When it comes to saving water, there are two main arguments: you not only reduce your general water consumption and thus also save on waste water, which is known to be bad for the environment. You can also use it to reach one lower energy consumption, because especially in the colder months we mainly use heated water. Whether it’s showering, bathing, doing laundry or using the dishwasher – the energy costs increase due to the heating process of the water.
For hot water, water at around 70 degrees is mixed with cold water, resulting in a cozy temperature of 36 – 38 degrees. And it can expensive with high consumption become. The daily water consumption per capita in this country is currently 120 – 130 liters. However, 70 – 100 liters of drinking water consumption is ideal. We will show you how you can do this in just a few steps in your household.
Save water in the bathroom
In the bathroom we use the most water. This starts with taking a shower, continues with washing your hands and flushing the toilet and ends with a relaxing bath in the bathtub. But what can you do to reduce your energy and water consumption in the bathroom? Here are a few valuable tips:
- economy shower head: As the name suggests, an energy-saving shower head helps to reduce water consumption – and that by about 50 percent! This can succeed because the shower head lets less water through. However, the pressure remains the same because air is added to the water and small water bubbles form as a result. You can simply exchange the shower head for your old one and easy to assemble. So you only use seven liters per minute when showering and not 15 liters as with conventional shower heads.
- Economy flush button on the toilet: In some southern countries, the procedure is already known that is not always flushed. In general, we don’t have to take this into account, since we live privileged in Germany – especially when it comes to water. However, what at Saving water while going to the toilet can help is one Economy flush buttonwith which you can determine when the water stops flowing into the pool.
- flow restrictor: With a flow limiter you can easily reduce your water consumption. Just mount the limiter between the fitting and the shower hose. A flow stop is also installed and keeps the water at the same temperature when lathering, but consumes less because it only dribbles slightly during this time. So you can save up to 60 percent water.
- Stop water when lathering: Especially when you are taking a shower in the morning, you actually want to embed yourself in the comforting warmth of the warm jets of water. But the water should primarily help us to remove dirt or soap residue from objects or our skin. So when you lather, you should shut-off waterso as not to waste any of it unnecessarily.
- Fix leaking faucets: You might think a dripping faucet doesn’t consume much. After all, it’s only a few drops. But if the problem persists, it can spike the water meter and 10 liters in one day waste. Therefore, repair dripping taps immediately.
- single lever mixer: Regulate your water and energy consumption with a single-lever mixer, as you regulate the temperature faster than with a two-handle fitting.
- Showering instead of bathing: You can already imagine that showering uses far less water than bathing – depending on how long you shower. Therefore, if possible, you should refrain from several bathing units per week and prefer to take a shower. There are of course exceptions for babies and children.
Save water in the kitchen
In addition to a single-lever mixer and flow limiter, you can follow other tips in the kitchen to reduce your consumption.
- Bowl for washing fruits and vegetables: We use a lot of water unnecessarily when we wash fruit and vegetables. Better grab a bowl that you Fill with some water and bathe your fruit and vegetables in it. You can then use the remaining water for your plant care.
- Energy efficient dishwasher: Many old models are real energy guzzlers. Instead, invest in an energy-efficient dishwasher with eco mode, which uses neither much electricity nor large amounts of water. It is important here that you only turn on the dishwasher when it is really fully loaded is.
- aerator: In addition to using a single-lever mixer, you can also install an aerator, also known as an aerator, in the sink. It works in the same way as the economy shower head and adds air to the water so that it becomes fuller and you therefore use less water.
Save water when doing laundry
You don’t need much to save water and electricity when doing laundry:
- Energy saving washing machine: Not only dishwashers can pull the money out of your pocket, the wrong washing machine can also cause enormous water and energy consumption. Therefore, pay attention to the energy efficiency class, the between A and D should lie. Also, take a look at the annual electricity consumption, because it can be high despite a positive classification. It should be around 100 kWh.
- Machine fully loaded: It is actually self-explanatory that you should always fully load the washing machine so as not to waste water unnecessarily. However, some machines have a setting that measures the content in kilograms and thus adapts the washing process to the weight. Besides, you should do without a pre-wash and also that Use dryer less. So you can up to Save 110 euros annuallyif you also select the lowest temperature.
- Washing in Eco mode: Eco mode is not free and should be used to reduce power consumption. You just have to plan a little more time, but you can also help the environment because you avoid up to 250 kilograms of CO2.
My garden needs water – what is the best way to do it?
Plants are particularly prone to drying out in summer. The only thing that helps is water, but even with a small garden that can cost a lot of money. However, these tips will save you water.
- rain barrel: We are lucky in Germany that it rains regularly. And you should make use of it, because you can simply collect the rain with a rain barrel and then use it to water your garden. So you do without water from the tap and have almost no consumption at all.
- Mow lawn less: If you mow the lawn every week, you also have to water it more often because the short grass no longer offers any protection for the soil. So mow a little less often.
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Sources used:statista.com, wmf.de, energis.de