Water Conservation in the Home

Information from the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB)

By Lisa Salt, Certified Greenagent (TM) 

Did you know that in Canada we are the second largest consumers of treated water in the world?  Second only to none other than the United States.  Each Canadian uses 120,000 litres of water per year. The more water we conserve, then the more energy we conserve as water requires energy to be delivered to households. 

Techniques for Conserving Water in the Home:

1.  Low Flow Faucets and Shower Heads:  Replacing your older heads with low flow can reduce the flow of water by 25 to 50%.

2.  Check For Leaks:  The best way to check if you have a water leak in your home is to check your water meter, then turn off your water for 30 minutes to one hour.  After that time has passed, check your meter again.  If it has moved - you have a leak.

3.  Replace Old Toilets:  Older toilets use 15-20 litres of water with each flush while the newer, low flow toilets use about 6 litres.  If a new toilet is not in the budget, an easy fix is to fill a 1 litre bottle with water and submerge it in the toilet tank.  This will disperse 1 litre every time it is flushed and save you water!

4.  Update Appliances:  Water saving appliances can save up to 40% of water consumption.

5.  Run Full Cycles:  Only run your dishwasher and washer when you have full loads.  Do you know that using your dishwasher for full loads conserves more water than by washing the same amount by hand?!

6.  Turn the Water Off:  When rinsing your dishes or brushing your teeth or washing your car - turn the water off.  This will conserve a ton of water!

Conserving Hot Water in the Home:

1.  Insulate the Hot Water Tank:  This will improve the chances that your tank isn't heating and reheating the same water over and over.

2.  Lower the Temperature:  Lower the temperature that your water is heated to.

3.  Choose the Most Cost Effective Fuel:  According to NAGAB, in Canada, the most efficient fuel is natural gas.

4.  Drain the Sediment:  Drain your hot water tank.

For information on available provincial upgrade rebates and energy audits, click here.

For more information on Water Conservation in your home, fill out the form below and we would be pleased to assist.