{"id":19540,"date":"2018-01-10T04:15:39","date_gmt":"2018-01-10T12:15:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/?p=19540"},"modified":"2024-01-27T11:18:03","modified_gmt":"2024-01-27T19:18:03","slug":"stop-pouring-money-down-the-drain-9-ways-to-conserve-bathroom-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/id19540-stop-pouring-money-down-the-drain-9-ways-to-conserve-bathroom-water.html","title":{"rendered":"Stop Pouring Money Down the Drain: 9 Ways to Conserve Bathroom Water"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>When you realize that half of a household’s water usage occurs in the bathroom, and that greener versions of toilets and faucets — like those found in new homes from green builders — can save an average American family up to 11,000 gallons per year, it’s easy to consider the cost-effectiveness of making the changes.<\/p>\n

But going green in the bathroom is not nearly as expensive as you may think<\/a>! In fact, up-fitting your faucets, fixtures and toilets with more efficient and eco-friendly options can be one of the most frugal updates you can make. Here are some inexpensive remedies to the biggest guzzlers in the bathroom:<\/p>\n

Low-Flow Faucets and Fixtures<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first step towards a greener bathroom is replacing your faucets and fixtures with low-flow options. The best part: quality fixtures can be as inexpensive as $20 each!<\/p>\n

Low-Flow Faucets<\/em><\/p>\n

The screw-on tip of the faucet is called the aerator and is what determines the maximum faucet flow rate. Replacing the aerator on your current faucet is a much cheaper fix than swapping out your entire faucet!<\/p>\n

For bathroom faucets, aerators can restrict the rate of flow from 1.5 to 0.5 gpm (gallons per minute), which is down from the pre-environmentally-friendly rates of 2.5 gpm or more.<\/p>\n

When you replace your aerators, take the one you’re replacing to the store with you to ensure a proper fit and make sure to get one that is in keeping with the style and finish of your current faucet.<\/p>\n

Low-Flow Showerheads<\/em><\/p>\n

Low-flow fixtures can cut water usage by 25-60% and are simple to install. For maximum efficiency, select one with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gpm from these two basic types: aerating and laminar-flow.<\/p>\n

As their name suggests, aerating showerheads incorporate air into the water which forms a misty spray. On the other hand, laminar-flow showerheads produce streams of water. Laminar-flow is best for those living in more humid climates as they cut down on the amount of steam and moisture.<\/p>\n

Frugal Flushing<\/strong><\/p>\n

The other bathroom culprit is a furiously flushing toilet. Here are some ways to fight back!<\/p>\n

Invest in a Dual-Flush Toilet<\/em><\/p>\n

Low-flow toilets have one major flaw<\/a>: They only have a low-flow function, which means their minimalist means of waste removal may not cut it for every flush! A better solution is a dual-flush toilet that gives you two options. In addition to the low-flow flush (for “number 1”), you also have a more robust flush (for “number 2”).<\/p>\n

Displace Space in the Tank<\/em><\/p>\n

When you have less water in your tank, you have less to drain and refill every time you flush. Rather than purchasing a brand-new tiny-tank toilet, a simple way to achieve this is to place a solid item in the tank that will not break (no glass!), degrade, or corrode, such as a brick, or a crushed plastic milk jug.<\/p>\n

There are other ways to cut down on wasted water in your toilet. For example:<\/p>\n