Failed washers in taps can lead to leaks. A slow and steady drip can amount to a large amount of water going down the drain.
When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water. Don’t run the tap.
Chill water in the fridge instead of running the tap.
Scrape (instead of rinse) your dishes before you put them in the dishwasher.
Only run your dishwasher when it’s full.
Choose a dishwasher model with the Energy Star label.
Washing dishes in a full dishwasher uses less water and soap than washing by hand.
Wash your produce in a pan of water instead of running the tap over them. Use the leftover water for houseplants.
Don’t use running water to thaw food. Instead, defrost it in the refrigerator.
Use a water-conserving ice maker.
Compost fruit and vegetable waste instead of using a garbage disposal.
Bathroom
Shower instead of bathing. This can save 70 litres per session.
Take 5-minute showers. Set a timer if you have to.
Install low-flow showerheads.
Turn off the shower while you’re washing your hair.
While you wait for hot water, collect the running water and use it to water plants.
Repair leaking faucets and toilets. A small drip can add up to 27,000 litres per year if unattended.
Plug the sink to rinse your razor instead of running the water.
Check your toilets on a regular basis. Toilets have common issues that can cause water to run constantly, such as a flapper not sealing properly or valves not closing properly. Toilets can also leak, and some leaks may only appear from time to time.
Consider a low-flow toilet or toilet dam.
Reuse your towels.
Turn off your tap when brushing your teeth or shaving and save more than 6,900 litres per year.
Drop tissues in your green organics cart instead of the toilet.
Utility Room
Clean and maintain your furnace filter regularly. Clogged valves may not close properly and can cause the humidifier to run continuously. The humidifier will also run if you activate the fan in the summer.
Water softeners can get stuck on the cleaning cycle and run continuously. Check your softener on a regular basis to make sure it is running properly, and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
Laundry room
A front-load washer uses less water than a top-loading model.
When choosing a washing machine, check for the Energy Star label.
Only run your washing machine when it’s full or adjust your water level to match the size of your laundry load.
Make sure your washer isn’t stuck on an extra rinse cycle.
