10 tips for saving water (and lowering your water bill)

While periods of drought are occurring earlier and earlier each year and increasing in frequency, saving water has become a major issue that concerns us all. In many regions of the world, water is even becoming a rare resource. According to a United Nations report, four out of ten people worldwide suffer from water scarcity.

So, how can you preserve this vital resource? At HomeExchange, we want to play our part in helping the planet, so we’re giving you some daily water saving ideas, as well as tips to put into practice when exchanging homes, whether you are a host or a guest.

Droughts in the US: the current and future situation

Drought has long been associated with the driest regions of the globe. But for several years, drought episodes are becoming more and more frequent. And accelerated by climate change, they’re gaining a little more territory each year. In the US for example, 17.41% of the country and Puerto Rico is currently in drought conditions, with 77.9 million acres of crops being affected by dry soil conditions. This is impacting on 58.7 million people.

So, how can we avoid shortages and save water? The good news is that a change in habits can easily be implemented in every home, and even if these changes sometimes seem small, every gesture counts.

Saving water at home: our advice

A general awareness of the importance of sustainable water management is necessary today. So, if you're wondering how to save water at home, here are some tips.

1. Check and repair any water leaks

If you want to save water at home, the first thing to do is to hunt for water leaks. According to ADEME (Ecological Transition Agency), a simple dripping tap could waste up to 120 liters of water per day! As for toilets that run non-stop, up to 15 liters of water are wasted per hour.

The trick to spotting a water leak that is not visible is to read your water meter before nightfall, then the next morning. Do not use any household appliances during this time, turn off all taps and do not flush the toilet. If there is a difference on your meter, there is indeed a water leak in your home. In this case, contact a professional to intervene as quickly as possible.

2. Avoid letting the water run

This is one of the simplest habits to establish daily to save water at home. For example, think about turning off the tap when you wash your hands or brush your teeth. If you wash the dishes by hand, use a basin to soak your dishes without letting the water run for several minutes. And in the shower, remember to turn off the tap when soaping yourself.

3. Take a shower rather than a bath

Speaking of the shower, you should know that it is much less wasteful than a bath which consumes an average of more than 100 liters of water. This is assuming you don't stay in the shower for too long - a 15-minute shower consumes as much as a bath! So, if you have the choice in your home between a bath or a shower, opt for a short shower to save water.

4. Use efficient faucets and shower heads

To reduce your daily water consumption, you can invest in faucets incorporating flow regulators. These save up to 50% of water while keeping the same sensation of water pressure. These flow regulators are inexpensive and very easy to install. In terms of the shower, you can also invest in a thermostatic mixer which allows you to heat the water much more quickly, and therefore save a few liters per shower.

5. Equip yourself with an economical flush

It is also possible to save water by investing in a dual flush. This type of flush saves between 45% and 60% of water compared to a traditional model. This represents a saving of 5,000 liters of water per person, per year!

Did you know that the manufacture of toilet paper is extremely water intensive, with nearly 178 liters required to produce a single roll? So consider installing a Japanese toilet (new inexpensive models now exist!) which has a hygienic wash facility, meaning you need less toilet paper. Just as with home exchanging, it can be a little nerve wracking at first, but trying it means adopting it!

6. Choose economical household appliances

Household appliances, such as the washing machine or dishwasher, can use a lot of water. When purchasing, be careful to choose a device with energy efficiency of at least class A. To save water, choose short or eco cycles, which are designed to use less water, and only run them when your washing machine or dishwasher is full.

7. Collect rainwater and cooking water

If you have a garden or terrace, why not install a rainwater collector? You can then use the rainwater to water your garden of course, but also your houseplants or to wash your car. If you choose basins or watering cans to collect rainwater, remember to empty them regularly to prevent the proliferation of mosquitoes.

You can also collect water in the kitchen. Place a basin at the bottom of your sink when you wash your vegetables, drain your pasta or your potatoes. You can water your plants with water used to cook pasta, rice or vegetables. It contains many nutrients essential for their good growth. However, be careful not to salt your water, and cool it well before watering.

8. Water your garden sparingly

If you have a garden in your home, you already know that watering it uses a lot of water. Here are some tips for saving on watering:

• Limit or even don’t bother watering your garden when it rains regularly.
• Replace your garden hose with a watering can to better manage the quantity of water used.
• To avoid waste due to evaporation, never water in the middle of the day, instead opting to water in the evening or early in the morning.
• Use collected rain or cooking water.

9. Reduce water consumption in your swimming pool

Owning a swimming pool can represent a significant water expense, but there are ways to reduce this consumption without compromising your swimming enjoyment. First of all, it is important to regularly maintain your swimming pool. In particular, check the water levels and ensure good filtration to avoid having to refill it frequently.

Using a swimming pool cover is also an excellent solution: it limits evaporation, which allows water to be retained for longer, reducing the need for cleaning and refilling.

Finally, consider installing a rainwater recovery system to supply your swimming pool, which is both an ecological and economical approach.

10. To go further: review your way of consuming and eating

Saving water at home is within everyone's reach and is, of course, a first step towards more sustainable water management. However, if you want to best preserve this vital and fragile resource, it is also essential to review your consumption and eating habits. So beyond the water you are using every day for cooking, showering or flushing the toilet, it is also necessary to look at your “indirect water consumption”. This corresponds to the quantity of water used to make everyday objects or produce food. For example, it takes approximately 2,500 liters of water to make a t-shirt (Water Information Center).

Instead, adopt eco-responsible consumption, by favoring second-hand shopping for example, and embrace sustainable food habits, by reducing your meat consumption.

Saving water when exchanging homes

So you are part of the HomeExchange community and water conservation is important to you? Whether you are a host or a guest, here are some good practices to put in place during your home exchanges.

If you are the host

If your region is affected by episodes of drought and there are possible restrictions on water consumption, remember to communicate all this information to the guests you welcome into your home. Transparent communication is necessary to avoid any unpleasant surprises, and also to ensure that your guests agree to respect these limitations.

To find out about the water restrictions put in place on French territory during periods of drought, consult the map of VigiEau.

Finally, why not create and provide your guests with a small good habits booklet, including small everyday actions that they could implement to save water? This will enable you to share your tips on preserving water, while also spreading awareness with as many people as possible.

If you are the guest

If you are staying in someone’s home, think carefully about how you can educate those around you on the responsible consumption of water, even on vacation. If you are focused on saving water at home on a daily basis, it is just as important to do the same for others, so that you can preserve the planet and prevent your hosts from unnecessarily high bills. Generally speaking, to become a responsible traveler, it is important to encourage mindful behavior, whether that is in relation to your water or electricity consumption, your mode of travel, or the choice of your vacation activities.

Do you want to join the HomeExchange community's commitment to becoming responsible travelers? Sign our charter!

Do you have other tips for saving water, reducing energy or making your home more eco-friendly? We would love to know them! Share your ideas through this form and inspire our community to adopt more responsible practices. Discover the best suggestions on our dedicated page.

While certain gestures may seem small given the challenges we face, it is worth remembering that the HomeExchange community is growing day by day. And by applying these principles and inspiring those around us, there are many people who can make things happen.

So, will you take a look at the water meter tomorrow morning? :)

References

¹ ADEME
² OECD