IN THE KITCHEN
• Limit dishwasher use to full loads. Let really dirty dishes/pans soak to speed washing. Soak dishes instead of letting the water run while you scrape them. Cut back on rinsing if your dishwasher is new because newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
• Use one glass each day for your drinking water thus cutting down on the number of times you use the dishwasher.
• Store drinking water in refrigerator to keep cold instead of allowing the tap to run when you want cool water.
• When washing by hand, fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
• Don’t use running water to thaw food; defrost in refrigerator or microwave.
• When washing your hands, don’t let the water run when you lather. • Install an instant water heater near the kitchen sink to avoid running the water while it heats up thus
reducing energy costs.
IN THE BATHROOM
• Take a five-minute (or less) shower instead of a bath.
• If you do take a bath, plug bathtub before turning water on, then adjust temperature as the tub fills up.
• Install a water-saving shower head.
• Fix all running toilets. Make sure toilet flappers do not stick open after flushing.
• Drop tissue in the trash instead of in the toilet to eliminate unnecessary flushing.
• Turn off the water while you shave and/or while you are brushing your teeth.
AROUND THE HOUSE
• Limit your laundry to full loads
• Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets.
• Water plants thoroughly but less frequently.
• Only install a water-softening system when minerals in water will damage your pipes. Turn softener off
when on vacation.
Visit www.nrgideas.com for water and energy saving items for in and around the home.