If you’ve noticed your water bill is higher than you’d like or you want to conserve water because of environmental concerns, one culprit to consider is your kitchen water usage. Washing dishes, cleaning, cooking, and leaky pipes can all contribute to high water use. Fortunately, you can apply these 10 tips from our experienced plumbers at Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. to save kitchen water and reduce utility bills.
1. Drink Tap Water
Bottled water is wasteful because of the plastics used to manufacture it and the shipping and retail costs. Manufacturers also use a significant amount of water to manufacture each bottle. According to researchers, the water used to make bottled water and its packaging can be as much as six to seven times more than the water you eventually drink.
Instead of purchasing bottled water, drink from your kitchen tap. Most tap water in the U.S. is safe to drink. If you’re concerned about the tap water’s mineral content or other contaminants, you can have our plumbers install a water filtration or softener system. It’s also smart to keep a pitcher of tap water in your refrigerator. This uses less water than running the tap until the water is cool enough to drink.
2. Rinse Fruits and Vegetables Wisely
You must rinse fruits and vegetables to remove potentially harmful chemicals or pathogens. However, rinsing under the tap can waste water. Instead, place your vegetables or fruit in a bowl and fill it with water to rinse them. This uses less water than running the tap to wash your vegetables and fruits. Once they are rinsed, you can reuse the water to water plants in your home or garden.
3. Use a Dishwasher
Washing a load of dishes by hand uses up to 27 gallons of water, while an ENERGY STAR dishwasher can wash that same load with as little as three gallons. Because of the high heat of a dishwasher, dishes are also sanitized. Even running the dishwasher when it’s half-full is more environmentally sound than washing by hand.
You should also avoid washing your dishes by hand before placing them in your dishwasher. Some people scrub dishes in the sink before they load the dishwasher, but doing so is wasteful. Scrub off stuck-on food, but otherwise, place dirty dishes directly in the dishwasher without taking the extra step. Good dishwasher detergents are designed to break up debris without an unnecessary pre-rinse. If you don’t have a dishwasher or want a new, more efficient dishwasher, call our plumbers at Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co.
4. Have a Low-Flow Tap Installed
You use your kitchen tap constantly, but it can be a significant source of water waste. A low-flow tap can greatly reduce wasted water without sacrificing performance. With a good low-flow tap, you shouldn’t notice much of a difference in the water pressure, but you’ll be saving water.
5. Promptly Repair Leaks
Leaks in your pipes or faucet can waste a lot of water and will worsen without prompt repairs. If you notice spikes in your water bills, dripping faucets even when they’re turned off, or pooled water under your kitchen sink, call our experienced plumbers immediately.
If you don’t address leaks promptly, they can cause mold, mildew, and other damage. These issues can be expensive to mediate, but repairing leaks immediately can prevent them. This also saves money on your water bills and prevents additional damage.
6. Clean Floors Differently
You don’t need to mop up every spill in your kitchen. Use a broom to sweep up debris. For spills, wipe them up with a cloth. You can spray the cloth with an all-purpose cleaner to remove the sticky residue left behind. Save mopping for a once-weekly cleaning task instead of a daily one.
7. Collect Kitchen Waste Water
Instead of pouring pasta or potato water down the sink, pour it into a lidded bucket in your kitchen. This water can be reused to water plants in your garden, to make bread, or to use in other recipes. You’ll need to rotate the water every few months to prevent it from going bad.
8. Compost Food Waste
Using your garbage disposal for scraps can waste a lot of water. Instead of scraping food from plates into the disposal or disposing of them in your kitchen trash, start composting. Place a large bin in your yard that you can aerate, and place food scraps, grass clippings, and leaves in it. Rake it occasionally. The organic matter will degenerate and turn into rich, dark soil that is great to use in your garden. If you don’t have a yard, you can find space-saving composters.
9. Follow Tips for Washing by Hand
If you don’t have a dishwasher and wash your dishes in the sink, you can do a few things to conserve water. First, don’t let dirty dishes accumulate in your sink. Keep a basin filled with soapy water next to the sink to place dirty dishes and soak them. This will soften grease and food debris, making them easier to clean while using less water.
Second, don’t leave the tap water running to rinse your dishes while washing them. If you have a double sink, fill one side with soapy water for cleaning and the other with clean water for rinsing. If you have a single sink, stack your clean dishes in a dish rack next to the sink and then spray them off with your kitchen sprayer to rinse.
Finally, turn off the tap when you’re not using it. When you leave it running while you wash dishes, you’ll waste a significant amount of water. Turn it off when it’s unneeded to save water over time.
10. Have Your Water Use Audited
To see how much water you use and waste, schedule a water audit. A professional water auditor and some utility companies can review how much water your family consumes and provide you with ideas to conserve and save money. Your local water authority might tell you about programs to incentivize water conservation, such as rebates. They can also explain any rebates that might be available for appliance upgrades.
Before you buy new appliances, you can also look up rebates yourself. The ENERGY STAR website has a rebate finder based on your zip code, allowing you to quickly see which appliances might provide the best rebates for more savings.
Your kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s where your family and friends gather and where you cook meals. Unfortunately, it is a significant source of water use in your home and can drive up your water bills without proper attention. By implementing these 10 steps, you can reduce your water usage, feel better about taking an active part in water conservation, and save money on your monthly water bills.
Our experienced plumbers at Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. perform a wide range of services, including leak repairs, energy-efficient water heater installations, commercial plumbing services, and more. You can call us for heating and cooling service, too. For more ideas about how to reduce your kitchen water usage, contact our professional plumbers at Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. in Shreveport, LA today!
