Water consumption increeases during the summer months and so do the bills! Luckily, there are plenty of tips online on how to save water and money during the “dog days of summer”.
Charlie at the Three Thrifty Guys blog says to use the “Speed Cycle” on your dishwasher, which uses less water. “Most ‘Heavy Load’ cycles run anywhere from 1 1/2 hours up to 3 1/2 hours. By pre-scrubbing your dishes and using the speed cycle, then you’ll greatly reduce your water consumption and energy usage as well.”
Watering Lawn & Gardens
Mow the lawn at the right height. If you mow the lawn too short, grass won’t have enough foliage to sustain growth. The lawn will be thin, weak and sparse, and will have a poor root system.
Water your lawn early in the morning or after sunset. Most of the water will soak into the ground at those times. Watering during mid-day makes about 30 percent of the water evaporate. Also, never water on windy days. Note: if you walk across the lawn and leave footprints that means it is time to water.
EnergyBiz says water and energy are connected: “Electricity, in particular, has a significant impact on our water supply. It is estimated that fossil fuel generation alone comprises about 39 percent of all freshwater withdrawals in the U.S., which equals about 136 billion gallons of water per day. When you do the math, it turns out that every single kWh of electricity uses about 40 gallons of freshwater.” In other words, using less energy also conserves water.