Energy League 09/10

 
10 ways to make a splash
 
 
1. Turn off the tap
You can save up to six litres of water per minute by remembering to turn off the tap while you brush your teeth, shave, wash your hands or wash up.Dripping Tap
 
2. Fix any dripping taps
Replacing worn washers is quick and cheap, and you’ll be preventing a dripping tap wasting up to 15 litres of water a day, or almost 5,500 litres per year. If you’re on a water meter, that could save you over £18 a year.
 Full washing machine
3. Wash full loads of clothes or dishes
Wait until you have a full load before switching on your dishwasher or your washing machine; two half loads use more water than one full load. If you’re
in the market for a new machine, make sure you buy an energy and water efficient one. Find out about water efficient dishwashers and washing machines
 
 
4. Don’t overfill kettles and saucepans
Use the minimum amount of water required when boiling water in saucepans and kettles; you’ll save energy as well as water.
 
5. Flush away less water
Reduce the water used to flush toilets by fitting a water saving device such as a ‘hippo’, which your water company can provide for free. If you’re replacing your toilet, look out for low flush or dual flush models. Find out about installing a more efficient toilet
 
6. Don’t wash food under a running tap
Wash your fruit and vegetables in a bowl rather than under a running tap. You can use the water you collect to water your house plants.
 
7. Insulate your water pipes
Put lagging around water pipes and external taps to prevent bursts in cold weather. Find out where your main stop valve, or stopcock, is so you know how to cut off the flow quickly if ever a pipe bursts.
 Green metal bin
8. Save water in the garden
Out in the garden, collect rainwater in water butts and use a watering can instead of a hose. If you need to use a hosepipe, fit a trigger nozzle to control the flow.
 
 
9. Don’t use a hose to wash your car
Wash your car using a bucket and sponge and rinse with a watering can. Just 30 minutes with a hosepipe will use more water than the average family uses in a day.
 
10. Take showers instead of baths
Take a short shower instead of a bath – you will use about a third of the water of a bath. But remember that many power showers can use more water than a bath in less than 5 minutes, so keep an eye on the time.