There are numerous water saving faucets on the market today. They first came out for the commercial market to save property owners money, but now they can save you money as well. Some manufacturers even use the water pressure from the pipes to spin a turbine in the faucet that powers the sensor which shuts off the water when your hands are removed. Some manufacturers of motion-activated faucets are Delta, Toto USA, Technical Concepts, Kohler, Hansgrohe, Sloan, Speakman, Strom Plumbing, Symmons, and Chicago Faucets. You can also add a sensor to your existing faucet by removing the aerator and screwing on the adapter. They have a bottom-mounted sensor that detects movement and turns the water flow on automatically to a temperature you pre-adjust. Most models include a manual override button in case you need to fill a pot with water. They usually use 4 AA or AAA batteries and come with a 1 year limited warranty. A hands free faucet adapter for the kitchen or bathroom is around $50.
Motion activated Lavatory Faucet
Motion Sensor Adapter by EZ Faucet
Water Saving Tips
Outside
Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
Raise your lawn mower blade to at least 3 inches. Taller grass promotes deeper roots, shades the root system, and holds soil moisture better than a closely cropped lawn.
Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid over-watering some while under-watering others.
Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later to see if you have a leak.
Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
Collect water from rain gutters and HVAC systems toward water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings. During hot weather, your central air conditioner can produce about 3 gallons of water a day.
Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains. Plus you don’t have to mow; it’s a win-win!!!
Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.
Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to water plants.
Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it’s needed. You can also attach a manifold to your hose bib and place a water powered timer on the drip hose to automatically shut off the water. Check to make sure the timer works with the reduced flow of the drip hose.
Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
Inside
Use a water-efficient showerhead. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month per person.
Turning off the water when shaving can save over 200 gallons of water a month.
If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
Replace existing aerators on faucets with water saving models. Installing a WaterSense labeled aerator is one of the most cost-effective ways to save water. Also consider replacing the entire faucet with a WaterSense labeled model. Either way, you can increase the faucet’s efficiency by 30 percent without sacrificing performance. WaterSense labeled faucets with 1.5 GPM water-saving aerators offer a 45% water savings over less efficient 2.75 GPM faucets. For the average household, this can equal over 14,700 gallons of water saved each year.
Add food coloring to the tank of your toilet to see if your flapper is leaking. If you see the color in the bowl within 15 minutes, replace the flapper valve. A leaking toilet can waste over 1,000 gallons of water a month. Flush the toilet as soon as you determine the results of the leak test as the coloring may stain the toilet.
Fixing a leaky faucet can save more than 100 gallons a week.
When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on and then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
Have your kids use one drinking glass per day to save on the number of glasses that require washing.
Use the water left over from cooking vegetables, such as green beans, broccoli and corn on the cob, to water indoor or outdoor plants. Obviously, let the water cool first, but the water is full of nutrients that are perfect for plants. This may be considered cannibalism to vegetarians.
Repair dripping faucets and showerheads. A drip rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.
A full bathtub can require up to 70 gallons of water, while taking a 5-minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons.
With more focus being placed on energy conservation every day, there are many techniques you can do to save water inside and outside of your home. See my Factoidz for Replacing Faucets and Hot Water Heater Maintenance for related tips on energy and water savings.
Hot Water Heaters: http://factoidz.com/hot-water-heater-operation-and-maintenance-to-improve-safety-and-efficiency/
Faucet Replacement: http://factoidz.com/replacing-your-bathroom-or-kitchen-faucet/
