With low-flow faucets and showerheads installed in your home, you may see anywhere from a 25%-60% savings in water consumption. That will translate into a lower annual water bill.

Showerheads:

The new showerhead flow rates, mandated by federal regulations, can’t exceed more than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) at a water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch (psi). To give you a point of reference, prior to 1992, some showerheads had flow rates of 5.5 gpm. That is quite a difference and imagine the water usage as a result.

Some interesting stats:

• 17% of our indoor water usage is from the activity of showering.
• For the average family, showering results in an additional 40 gallons of water usage per day.
• This equals 1.2 trillion gallons of water used in the U.S. annually from showering.

If you are unsure of your current gallons per minute, there is an easy test you can do.

• Turn on your shower with the normal pressure you usually use and put a bucket underneath the showerhead.
• Make sure the bucket is marked with gallon increments so you can clearly see the number of gallons that accumulate.
• Time how long it takes to reach the one gallon mark.
• If it takes less than 20 seconds to reach one gallon, you likely would benefit by changing your current showerhead to a low-flow model.

Types of low-flow showerheads:

• Aerating – These showerheads form a misty spray by mixing air with water. They may not be the best choice in areas of high humidity.
• Laminar-flow – These showerheads form individual streams of water.

Faucets:

Federal regulations mandate that new faucet flow rates can’t exceed 2.5 gpm at 80 psi or 2.2 gpm at 60 psi. The aerator is what determines the maximum flow of the faucet. This is the screw-on tip of the faucet. It is an inexpensive item and easy to replace. They can be one of the most cost effective water conservation actions you can take. New kitchen faucets typically are equipped with aerators that restrict flow rates to 2.2 gpm. New bathroom faucets are typically equipped with aerator that restrict flow rates from 1.5 to 0.5 gpm.

These are simple fixes that can save you money each year. Get started now!

For more information on how we can help you save BIG this season, contact us NOW: (602) 470-1040

Connect With Us at Marlin Services

We have spoken about programmable thermostats because it’s a great way to control the temperatures in your house and ultimately, it helps to reduce the use of unnecessary energy and saves money. There are so many other very simple steps you can take to save energy and therefore, save money. Let’s look at many of them.

1. Programmable Thermostats – We’ll start there because it’s a great tool to control temperatures when you don’t need the heat to be running at a high temperature – when you are out at school and work during the day and while you sleep at night, as a couple of examples.
2. Turn Down the Thermostat – For every degree that you turn down to within the 60-70 degree range, you can save 5% on your energy bill.
3. Replace Air Filters Regularly – Keeping your filter clean allows for the energy to flow more easily, taxing your system less.
4. Reduce the Water Heater to 120 Degrees – Keeping the setting at 120 degrees can save 7-11% annually on your heating bill. The EPA recommends setting your water heater to 120 degrees to help prevent scalding and to save energy.
5. Seal Leaks – Seal windows, doors, pipes, vents or electrical conduits that go through the wall, ceiling or floor.
6. Replace Old HVAC System with an EnergyStar Product – When it’s time for a new system, consider replacing it with a new EnergyStar unit. The same goes with household appliances.
7. Proper Maintenance – Have your system checked once to twice a year on a regularly scheduled maintenance program. A system that is running efficiently will save you money.

Here are some ideas that are completely free, quite simple and can also help save on the energy bill:

1. Let the Sun In – During the day when the sunshine is at its best, open the blinds and shades and let the sun in.
2. Keep the Damper Shut – If you have a wood burning fireplace, keep the damper closed when not in use. If you decide not to use the fireplace at all, place a piece of rigid insulation in the damper to seal it off tightly. It can be purchased in any hardware store.
3. Keep the Heat Inside – Be sure doors and windows are closed when the heat is on.
4. Bundle Up – Wear socks, sweaters and other warm items when you are a little cold. The shorts can wait for the Arizona summers.
5. Keep Windows Covered When It’s Dark Out – In the daytime, let the sunshine in. When night falls, close the blinds and shades to keep the cold outside.
6. Check the Exterior of Your Heating Unit – Be sure your HVAC unit is clear of grass, dirt, leaves and anything else that could be surrounding it. Hose it down to clear out the debris.
7. Do a Little Detective Work – Light a candle and walk around the house, near doors and windows and see if you see the flame flickering. If it flickers, you have discovered leaks.

Get started to energy savings. It’s not difficult to do!

For more information on how we can help you save BIG this season, contact us NOW: (602) 470-1040

Connect With Us at Marlin Services