You worry about how much energy your home is using, but have you ever considered how much water you’re using? Water conservation is just as important as energy conservation, and it can have a major impact on your pocketbook.

First, you might want to check to see if you have an issue with your plumbing when it comes to water leaks. Did you know that the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more than one trillion gallons of water leak from our homes nationwide each year? That equals more than 3,000 gallons of water for every person in the United States…and that’s also a lot of money.

If you’re looking for some ways to conserve water, below are some tips that you can use to save water, and money, this year:

In the Kitchen:

• Turn off your faucet when not in use
• Install a low-flow faucet in your kitchen
• Use the water left over from boiling water to water your plants (after letting it cool down, of course)
• Using a dishwasher uses less water than hand-washing your dishes

In the Bathroom:

• Install a low-flow showerhead and/or low-flow toilet
• Turn off the water while shaving or brushing
• Check for leaks in your toilet by adding dye or food coloring to the tank—if that color appears in the bowl, there is a leak that needs to be repaired
• Stick to showers—the average bath uses 35-50 gallons of water, while a 10-minute shower uses only 25 gallons (with a low-flow showerhead)

Out and About:

• Avoid bottled water when able. Carry your own reusable water bottle and refill it.
• If you must use paper towels, consider composting them
• When buying paper products, look for those made from recycled content
• Wash your jeans less—washing your jeans often wears them out quickly
• Keep a bucket or pitcher in the kitchen to collect leftover drinking water, water used to rinse vegetables/fruit and water used to boil food. You can use this water for your plants/garden.
• Install a water saving tankless water heater—tankless water heaters are generally 30 percent more energy efficient than traditional water heaters and allows for hot water faster (no more running water for minutes to get the water warm)

Save more green by thinking green, and blue, with your water conservation this year. Talk with the plumbing experts at Mister Quik about how they can help you.