Environmental Articles

Water conservation refers to reducing the usage of water and recycling of waste water for different purposes such as cleaning, manufacturing, and agricultural irrigation.

According to Wikipedia: Water conservation can be defined as: Any beneficial reduction in water loss, use or waste as well as the preservation of water quality. A reduction in water use accomplished by implementation of water conservation or water efficiency measures; or, Improved water management practices that reduce or enhance the beneficial use of water. A water conservation measure is an action, behavioral change, device, technology, or improved design or process implemented to reduce water loss, waste, or use. Water efficiency is a tool of water conservation. That results in more efficient water use and thus reduces water demand. The value and cost-effectiveness of a water efficiency measure must be evaluated in relation to its effects on the use and cost of other natural resources (e.g. energy or chemicals).

The goals of water conservation efforts include as follows:

• Sustainability. To ensure availability for future generations, the withdrawal of fresh water from an ecosystem should not exceed its natural replacement rate.
• Energy conservation. Water pumping, delivery, and wastewater treatment facilities consume a significant amount of energy. In some regions of the world (for example, California) over 15% of total electricity consumption is devoted to water management.
• Habitat conservation. Minimizing human water use helps to preserve fresh water habitats for local wildlife and migrating waterfowl, as well as reducing the need to build new dams and other water diversion infrastructure.

Water conservation programs are typically initiated at the local level, by either municipal water utilities or regional governments. Common strategies include public rebate campaigns, tiered water rates (charging progressively higher prices as water use increases), or restrictions on outdoor water use such as lawn watering and car washing. Cities in dry climates often require or encourage the installation of xeriscaping or natural landscaping in new homes to reduce outdoor water usage.

One fundamental conservation goal is universal metering. The prevalence of residential water metering varies significantly worldwide. Recent studies have estimated that water supplies are metered in less than 30% of households, and about 61% of urban homes (as of 2001) Although individual water meters have often been considered impractical in homes with private wells or in multifamily buildings, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that metering alone can reduce consumption by 20 to 40 percent. In addition to raising consumer awareness of their water use, metering is also an important way to identify and localize water leaks.

Some researchers have suggested that water conservation efforts should be primarily directed at farmers, in light of the fact that crop irrigation accounts for 70% of the world’s fresh water use. The agricultural sector of most countries is important both economically and politically, and water subsidies are common. Conservation advocates have urged removal of all subsidies to force farmers to grow more water-efficient crops and adopt less wasteful irrigation techniques.

Water-saving technology for the home includes:

• Temperature controlled hot water recirculation valve, which provides instant hot water (so water is not wasted down the drain waiting for water to run hot at your faucet or shower). This simple DIY installation (no water pump required) can save an average household up to 17,000 gallons per year. It also saves energy costs and can prevent pipe freezing with faster hot water.
• Low-flow shower heads sometimes called energy-efficient shower heads as they also use less energy, Low-flush toilets and composting toilets. These have a dramatic impact in the developed world, as conventional Western toilets use large volumes of water.
• Dual flush toilets includes two buttons or handles to flush different levels of water. Dual flush toilets use up to 67% less water than conventional toilets.
• Saline water (sea water) or rain water can be used for flushing toilets.
• Faucet aerators, which break water flow into fine droplets to maintain “wetting effectiveness” while using less water. An additional benefit is that they reduce splashing while washing hands and dishes.
• Wastewater reuse or recycling systems, allowing the reuse of graywater for flushing toilets or watering gardens, and recycling of wastewater through purification at a water treatment plant.
• High-efficiency clothes washers.
• Weather-based irrigation controllers.
• Garden hose nozzles that shut off water when it is not being used, instead of letting a hose run.
• Using low-flow taps in wash basins.
• Automatic faucets-a water conservation faucet that eliminates water waste at the faucet. It automates the use of faucets without the using of hands.
• Water can also be conserved by landscaping with native plants and by changing behavior, such as shortening showers and not running the faucet while brushing teeth.
• Installing an eco-friendly temperature controlled hot water recirculation valve to your plumbing, which provides instant hot water (so water is not wasted down the drain waiting for water to run hot at your faucet or shower). The Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve is a simple eco-friendly DIY installation (no water pump required) can save an average household up to 17,000 gallons per year. It also saves energy costs and can prevent pipe freezing.

Bathroom use accounts for about 75 percent of the water used inside the home.

• Check regularly for any leaks in your toilet, faucets and water hose bibs and fix them. Water saved: up to 200 gallons per day.
• Install a low-flow showerhead. Water saved: about 2 gallons per minute.
• Replace older, larger-use toilets with the newer higher efficiency toilets. Water saved: .5 to 5 gallons per flush.
• Take short showers and save the baths for special occasions. Water saved: 2 to 5 gallons per minute.
• Install a temperature controlled hot water recirculation valve, which provides instant hot water (so water is not wasted down the drain waiting for water to run hot at your faucet or shower). This simple eco-friendly DIY (no water pump required) installation can save an average household up to 17,000 gallons per year. It also helps prevent pipe freezing with faster hot water and saves energy costs by reheating warm water instead of ground temperature water.

About 8 percent of in-home water use takes place in the kitchen.

• Don’t rinse dishes before loading dishwasher. Water saved: 20 gallons per load.
• Wash only full loads in the dishwasher. An efficient dishwasher usually uses much less water than washing dishes by hand.
• Install a low-flow faucet aerator, which can cut water use in half. Water saved: 1 to 2 gallons per minute.
• When buying a new dishwasher, consider purchasing a water-saving model. (New models use up to 25 percent less water than older ones.) Water saved: 3 gallons per load.

Water use around the rest of the house makes up the remaining 17 percent of water use:

• Wash only full loads in the clothes washer. Washing small loads uses over twice as much water per pound of laundry.
• When buying a new clothes washer, consider purchasing a water-saving model. Water saved: up to 40 gallons per load.
• Insulate hot water pipes where possible to avoid long delays (and wasted water) while waiting for the water to “run hot.” When building a new home, keep the distance short between the hot water heater and showers and other places that hot water is used.
• Manage your irrigation systems.
• Remember to fix all leaks promptly.
• Install a temperature controlled hot water recirculation valve to your plumbing, which provides instant hot water (so water is not wasted down the drain waiting for water to run hot at your faucet or shower). The eco-friendly Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve is a simple DIY installation (no water pump required) and can save an average household up to 17,000 gallons per year. It also saves energy costs and aids in preventing pipe freeze with faster hot water.

Your house is an eco system. You save money and improve performance when you take cost-effective measures that reduce energy use, and install systems and appliances that are the right size to meet your needs. In general, the wrong size systems and use more energy and increase operating costs.

The most effective strategy for improving household energy efficiency is to first target your home’s envelope—walls, attic, windows, and doors. Then improve the energy efficiency of systems, such as heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances. Finally, consider clean energy generation (solar, geothermal, and so on).

1. Make sure your walls and attic are well insulated. Effective insulation slows the rate that heat flows out of the house in winter or into the house in summer, so less energy is required to heat or cool the house. If your house has no wall insulation, and it has more-or-less continuous wall cavities (such as conventional stud walls), blown-in insulation can greatly improve your comfort and save enough energy to be very cost-effective. (It rarely pays to blow additional insulation into already insulated walls.) If your attic is unfinished, it often pays to upgrade its insulation.

Your contractor’s expertise is more important than the insulation material you choose. Properly installed fiberglass, cellulose, and most foam insulation materials can all reduce the heat conduction of the completed wall system. The key is “properly installed.” Ideally, the contractor will use an infrared camera during or after installation to look for voids.

2. Upgrade or replace windows. If your windows are old and leaky, it may be time to replace them with energy-efficient models or boost their efficiency with weatherstripping and storm windows. It is almost never cost-effective to replace windows just to save energy. According to EnergyStar.gov, replacing windows will save 7 to 24 percent of your heating and air-conditioning bills, but the larger savings would be associated with replacing single-glazed windows. However, if you are replacing windows for other reasons anyway, in many areas the additional cost of Energy Star–rated replacement windows is very modest, perhaps $15 per window. This upgrade would be cost-effective—and increase your comfort to boot.

3. Plant shade trees and shrubs around your house. If your house is older, with relatively poor insulation and windows, good landscaping (particularly deciduous trees) can save energy, especially if planted on the house’s west side. In summer, the foliage blocks infrared radiation that would warm the house, while in winter the bare branches let this radiation come through. Of course, if your house has very good insulation and Energy Star or better windows, the effect is much, much smaller because the building shell itself is already blocking almost all the heat gain.

4. Replace an older furnace with a high-efficiency system. If your furnace was built before 1992 and has a standing pilot, it probably wastes 35 percent of the fuel it uses, and it is probably near the end of its service life. In this case, in all but the warmest climates, ACEEE recommends early replacement with a condensing furnace with annual efficiency of at least 90 percent. This type of furnace wastes no more than 10 percent of the natural gas you buy, and may save you as much as 27 percent on your heating bill.

If your furnace was installed after 1991, it probably has an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of 80 percent, so the savings from replacement is smaller, but would be at least 11 percent if the unit is working perfectly. Your heating service technician or energy auditor may be able to help you determine the AFUE of your present system.

For houses with boilers and hot-water heat distribution (radiators, baseboard), the savings from a modern condensing boiler with outdoor reset or equivalent feedback controls can be substantially larger, since the condensing boilers allow reducing the circulating loop temperature almost all the time.

5. Improve the efficiency of your hot water system. First, turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). Second, insulate your hot water lines so they don’t cool off as quickly between uses. Third, use low-flow fixtures for showers and baths. While storage water heater standards were raised in 2001, it was probably not enough to justify throwing out an existing water heater that is working well.

Savvy consumers are now installing eco-friendly hot water recirculation valves, which provide instant hot water to your plumbing (so water is not wasted down the drain waiting for water to run hot at your faucet or shower). The Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot water Valve is a simple DIY installation (no water pump required) which can save an average household up to 17,000 gallons per year. While providing faster hat water to all you fixtures, it also saves energy costs and can prevent pipe freezing.

6. Replace incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or LEDs.

CFLs can save three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents. Most people don’t think about the fact that the electricity to run a lightbulb costs much more than the bulb itself. One of the new CFLs costs about two or three dollars, but it lasts 10,000 hours and uses only about 27 watts to generate as much light as a 100-watt incandescent bulb. During its life, it uses about $22 in electricity, so the total cost is about $25. A 100-watt incandescent bulb costs 50 cents, but lasts 1,000 hours so you need 10 of them ($5 to buy) to last 10,000 hours. In those 10,000 hours you will use 1,000 kilowatts of electricity, which will cost more than $80 at a national average price. So the lighting cost of the CFL is less than one-third of the cost for the incandescent. The best targets for replacement are 60- to 100-watt bulbs used several hours a day, because usage affects how long it takes to recover the investment.

7. If you buy a new refrigerator, don’t leave the old one plugged in. Avoid the temptation to use the old fridge as a backup for party supplies and liquid refreshment. The extra storage space will cost you: figure an extra $50–150 per year in electricity to keep that older fridge running. In contrast, the new fridge, particularly if Energy Star rated, may cost only $30–60 per year to run because refrigerator efficiency has improved so much in the past three decades. Under these circumstances, think about how much refrigeration you really need. The best rule is to have only one refrigerator, and to size it to meet your real needs. That allows the luxury of ice-makers and similar conveniences with a clear conscience.

Also consider configuration. A similarly sized refrigerator with a top-mount freezer will use 20 to 25 percent less energy than a side-by-side model and often offers more usable refrigerator and freezer space.

8. Take advantage of new tax incentives to improve your home. Federal tax incentives are available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Energy efficiency incentives for upgrades to existing homes have been extended, and are now available for 2009 and 2010. These incentives now cover up to $1,500 (from $500), based on 30 percent of the cost of the improvement. Improvements can include building-envelope improvements (windows, insulation) and heating/air-conditioning upgrades. There are also 30-percent credits, without a cap, for on-site renewables (solar photovoltaic and solar hot-water systems, small wind systems, and geothermal heat pumps).

9. Schedule an energy audit for more expert advice on your home as a whole.

Energy auditors and raters use specialized tools and skills to evaluate your home and recommend the most cost-effective measures to improve its comfort and efficiency, as well as the best sequence for doing them to take advantage of interactions. The rater can also provide independent verification of contractors’ work quality. Look for raters who are RESNET Accredited. In some regions, there are Home Performance with Energy Star programs, too. Most of these programs include low-cost home assessment and strong quality assurance practices and/or inspections.

10. Install a temperature controlled hot water recirculation valve, which provides instant hot water (so water is not wasted down the drain waiting for water to run hot at your faucet or shower). This simple eco-friendly DIY installation (no water pump required) can save an average household up to 17,000 gallons per year. It also saves energy costs.

Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing:

The best solution to preventing your pipes from freezing is to simply install innovative and patented technology known as a “temperature controlled hot water recirculating valve” (is a breeze-no pipe cutting, soldering or electrical connections). It uses your existing water pipes and the thermal convection generated by your water heater to circulate the water back to your water heater for reheating (not requiring a pump or any electricity). These systems are temperature-controlled and are easily adjustable to meet your particular temperature needs. There is no water waste and it also reduces the energy required to heat your water while it provides instant hot water to your faucets and showers. A trickle of water circulating in your pipes will keep your pipes from freezing in most circumstances.

Can’t wait to get your hands on a good ‘do it yourself’ (DIY) type project? Something you can do with your own two hands and no special tools? I can recommend a great project…simple to do, environmentally friendly (reduces your carbon footprint), and provide years of satisfaction and convenience. A win/win project for everyone!

Faster hot water delivery systems, commonly known as hot water circulating or hot water recirculating systems, provide a number of benefits. Obviously faster hot water means you don’t have to wait as long for it, saving you time. Since these systems do not run water down the drain when delivering the hot water, they save water and save energy.

Running water down the drain is not only a waste of water, but since the water is treated and pumped before it gets to your home, and then the sewer water is treated and pumped, a lot of energy is used in the process. Generation of this energy releases green house gasses into the atmosphere, contributes to pollution, and uses up more of our resources.

The first thing you must do is deciding what type of hot water system to install. A full time hot water recirculation system could be a big project since you must run a water pipe from the last fixture back to the water heater inlet. If the plumbing in your home has major branch circuits then you might need to re-plumb some of the hot water piping to get the system to deliver hot water to every sink.

Fortunately there are other types of fast hot water delivery systems on the market that make things much easier for the do-it-yourselfer. There are a number of systems that utilize the cold water line as the return line (eliminating the need to add a separate return line to you plumbing). Since the cold water line connects to the inlet of water heaters and to every sink fixture and shower fixture, you can send water back to the water heater by simply directing it out of the hot water line and into the cold water line.

Some hot water delivery systems put a pump at the fixture and just run the water in a big loop back to the heater. These systems typically have a pump and timer (or cycle button) located at the fixture where fast hot water is desired. The pump is connected to the cold and hot water lines and is timer (or cycle button) controlled. A 110-volt power source is needed. The downfalls to these systems are the difficulty of installation (since they need an electrical power source), they only provide fast hot water during the “on” cycle of the timer (or after you first cycle the pump) and the pumps have a short lifespan.

Other fast hot water delivery systems use thermal convection linked to an adjustable thermostatically controlled valve. These fast hot water delivery systems provide a much easier installation with no water pump required (often less than 20-minutes not requiring electrical power to operate), fast hot water whenever you need it (do to the adjustable thermostatic control) and a long lifespan.

Compare some of the hot water recirculation systems: Grundfos, Hot Water Lobster, Laing, Metlund, RedyTemp, and Watts.

There hot water recirculating systems save so much water and energy that many local communities and utilities offer rebates for installing hot water circulating systems, so check with your local water company…your fast hot water system might end up costing you nothing!

If you are looking for a great do it yourself project that will provide great benefits for you and your family and reduce your carbon footprint, then a fast hot water system should be at the top of your list.

Install an eco-friendly temperature controlled hot water recirculation valve, the Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve provides instant hot water (so water is not wasted down the drain waiting for water to run hot at your faucet or shower). This simple DIY installation can save an average household up to 17,000 gallons per year. It also saves energy costs and can prevent pipe freezing.

(not listed in any order)

• Don’t flush the toilet every time you use it – as the saying goes: “If it’s yellow let it mellow; if it’s brown flush it down”.
• Install a dual-flush toilet – then if necessary you can use a short flush for urine and a longer flush for the rest.
• Put a suitable container in your toilet cistern – this could be a brick or plastic container or so-called hippo and it will restrict the amount of water used with each flush.
• Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth – a running tap uses more water than necessary.
• Take a shower instead of a bath – a conventional shower (as opposed to a power shower) uses around two-thirds less water than a bath.
• Don’t use more water than you need to boil the kettle – if you’re only making one or two cups of tea/coffee, you simply don’t need to fill the kettle.
• Keep a jug of water in the fridge – then, when you want really cold water, you don’t have to run the tap to get it.
• Don’t run taps to rinse washing up – again this uses more water than you need for the task.
• Use cold, waste water to wash out jars for recycling – it does the job just as well.
• Only use the washing machine with a full load – even half-load cycles use more than half the water of a full load.
• Only use the dishwasher with a full load – if you have to buy more dishes and utensils, then do it.
• Never leave a tap dripping – if it needs a new washer, fix it.
• Don’t use a garden sprinkler – it uses far too much water.
• Use plants that can withstand drought – Mediterranean species like lavenders, rosemary and cactus can survive with little water.
• Don’t overreact to a brown lawn – it will come back with rain in the autumn.
• Use ‘grey’ water on the garden – this is old bath and washing up water (a reasonable amount of detergent will be no problem).
• Collect rain water – this is most easily done with the installation of a rain butt.
• Consider rainwater ‘harvesting’ – this is the posh version of a water butt and consists of a large tank that collects rain from the house guttering and pumps it into the home to be used for flushing the toilet.
• Wash the car with a sponge and bucket – a hosepipe uses far too much water.
• Consider installing a water meter – then you’ll only pay for the water you actually use and having a precise measure will encourage you to monitor your water usage..
• Report burst pipes immediately to the local water company – then make sure the burst is fixed as soon as possible.
• Install a temperature controlled hot water recirculation valve, which provides instant hot water (so water is not wasted down the drain waiting for water to run hot at your faucet or shower). The Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve is a simple DIY installation (no water pump required) and can save an average household up to 17,000 gallons per year. Adding this eco-friendly hot water recirculating system to your plumbing not only provides faster hot water, it also saves energy costs and can prevent pipe freezing.

Every homeowner gets frustrated waiting for hot water — but how many stop to think what happens to the 2-3 gallons of water that runs down the drain during the wait?

Those gallons of water are wasted. In fact the average household can waste over 17,000 gallons of water down the drain while waiting for water to “get hot”. Now multiply that by the number of homes in your community, your state, and your country. That equates to billions of gallons of water wasted!

Conservation issues are rising in importance due to constantly expanding populations and limited resources. Our solution: a Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve.

Installing this innovative eco-friendly and patented technology known as a “temperature controlled hot water recirculating valve” to your plumbing is a breeze (no pipe cutting, soldering or electrical connections). It uses your existing water pipes and the thermal convection generated by your water heater to circulate the water back to your water heater for reheating (not requiring a water pump or any electricity). These eco friendly hot water recirculating systems have a temperature-controlled valve that allows the consumer to easily adjust the temperature to meet their particular needs. To save hot water and save energy, there is no water waste as it reduces the energy required to heat your water while it provides faster hot water to your faucets and showers for better water conservation.

Reasons to install a Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve:

• Saves thousands of gallons of water by not running it down the drain!
• Get your hot water faster from your current water heater!
• Save time, energy and money.
• Eco-friendly…living a more “green” lifestyle.
• Prevents pipe freezing.
• Only $179.99! (Plus Shipping & Handling)
• 30-day MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
• 10-Year WARRANTY
• Brass Valve with Stainless Steel Stem.
• Easy installation! (no pipe cutting, soldering or electrical connections required and no water pump).
• Shipped completely assembled with flexible water lines.
• Works with or without a dedicated hot water return line.
• When you turn on your faucet you’ve got instant hot water!

Many people wait for hot water in their shower each morning. A similar thing happens when people operate sinks, dishwashers and washing machines. Fortunately, this problem can be solved one of two ways depending upon how your plumbing system is designed. Clean water is a valuable natural resource and it should not be wasted. The trouble is, in many localities, water is a very cheap commodity. When prices are low, people tend to waste.

To get instant hot water as you often find at hotels and other institutions, you need to have a loop in the plumbing system that circulates hot water back to the water heater. Most houses do not have a loop as the hot water pipe typically dead ends at the plumbing fixture that is farthest away from the heater. It is possible but usually very difficult to install a dedicated return loop in houses because the piping required would typically be hidden in the walls, ceilings and floors of the home.

But, you don’t have to install a dedicated return loop if you choose an innovative eco-friendly and patented technology known as a “temperature controlled hot water recirculating valve”. It uses your existing water pipes and the thermal convection generated by your water heater to circulate the water back to your water heater for reheating (not requiring a water pump or any electricity). The “Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve” has a temperature-controlled valve that allows the consumer to easily adjust the temperature to meet their particular needs. There is no water waste as it reduces the energy required to heat your water while it provides faster hot water to your faucets and showers. Installation is a simple DIY project (no pipe cutting, soldering or electrical connections).

Not all recirculating systems are the same. Some systems have a pump under the sink requiring you to push a button to start the pump. The trouble with this type system is that you still have to wait for hot water. What’s more, this pump needs high voltage electric to operate. It can be a huge challenge to install an outlet under a sink.

Another system uses a timer to activate a pump. The trouble with this system is that it only provides instant hot water at specific times of the day and can fill your entire cold water pipes with hot water (preventing the availability of cold water).

Every homeowner gets frustrated waiting for hot water — but how many stop to think what happens to the 2-3 gallons of water that runs down the drain during the wait?

Those gallons of water are wasted. In fact the average household can waste over 17,000 gallons of water down the drain while waiting for water to “get hot”. Now multiply that by the number of homes in your community, your state, and your country. That equates to billions of gallons of water wasted!

Conservation issues are rising in importance due to constantly expanding populations and limited resources. Our solution: a Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve.

Installing this innovative eco-friendly and patented technology known as a “temperature controlled hot water recirculating valve” to your plumbing is a breeze (no pipe cutting, soldering or electrical connections). It uses your existing water pipes and the thermal convection generated by your water heater to circulate the water back to your water heater for reheating (not requiring a water pump or any electricity). These eco friendly hot water recirculating systems have a temperature-controlled valve that allows the consumer to easily adjust the temperature to meet their particular needs. To save hot water and save energy, there is no water waste as it reduces the energy required to heat your water while it provides faster hot water to your faucets and showers for better water conservation.

Reasons to install a Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve:

• Saves thousands of gallons of water by not running it down the drain!
• Get your hot water faster from your current water heater!
• Save time, energy and money.
• Eco-friendly…living a more “green” lifestyle.
• Prevents pipe freezing.
• Only $179.99! (Plus Shipping & Handling)
• 30-day MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
• 10-Year WARRANTY
• Brass Valve with Stainless Steel Stem.
• Easy installation! (no pipe cutting, soldering or electrical connections required and no water pump).
• Shipped completely assembled with flexible water lines.
• Works with or without a dedicated hot water return line.
• When you turn on your faucet you’ve got instant hot water!

People often think they are just wasting time waiting for hot water. Actually, they are also wasting a substantial amount of energy and water down the drain while they are waiting. In many parts of the country, fresh water is a precious resource.

If you are remodeling, run a larger hot water supply pipe directly to the bathroom. Existing hot water plumbing can sometime snake throughout the house before reaching a bathroom that is not actually very far from the water heater. A new pipe can also improve efficiency because you can wrap it with heavy insulation.

Another option is installing a special rapid-hot-water kit. The three basic types are a demand system, a timer system and a temperature controlled system. All three types eliminate any wasted water. The demand systems will still require a short delay (perhaps 10-20 seconds) to get the hot water to the faucet and require electrical connections. The timer system totally eliminates the wait during the timed cycles, but it consumes more energy and requires electrical connections.

Post construction units use a crossover valve between the hot and cold water supply pipes under the bathroom sink. When you want hot water, hot water from the water heater moves through the existing hot water pipes.

Instead of opening your faucet and allowing the cooled water to be wasted down the drain, it flows through the crossover valve into the cold pipe and returns to the water heater for reheating.

A demand system starts a high-volume pump when you push a button near the pump, so it runs only when you actually need hot water (only at that sink). Remote buttons can be installed in other bathrooms, laundry room, etc, but require extensive wiring.

A timer system runs a low-volume pump when the timer tells it to, usually in the morning. The pump runs only during the “on-time” setting on the timer, but only provides instant hot water when the pump is running.

Temperature controlled systems only allow hot water to circulate when the water temperature drops below the adjustable temperature setting (which provides faster hot water whenever you need it and can prevent pipe freezing), is all mechanical and requires no electrical connections for an easy installation.

One such temperature controlled system that is a simple eco-friendly DIY installation is the “Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve”.

(not listed in any particular order)

1. Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning.

2. Verify that your home is leak-free, because many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.

3. Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year which will add to the cost of water and sewer utilities, or strain your septic system.

4. Check for toilet tank leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear within 30 minutes. Check the toilet for worn out, corroded or bent parts. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, readily available and easily installed. (Flush as soon as test is done, since food coloring may stain tank.)

5. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the trash rather than the toilet.

6. Take shorter showers. Replace you shower head with an ultra-low-flow version. Some units are available that allow you to cut off the flow without adjusting the water temperature knobs.

7. Use the minimum amount of water needed for a bath by closing the drain first and filling the tub only 1/3 full. Stopper tub before turning water. The initial burst of cold water can be warmed by adding hot water later.

8. Don’t let water run while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave after filling the basin.

9. Retrofit all wasteful household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.

10. Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or properly set the water level for the size of load you are using.

11. When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.

12. Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cool glass of water.

13. Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave.

14. Kitchen sink disposals require lots of water to operate properly. Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing food waste instead of using a garbage disposal. Garbage disposals also can add 50% to the volume of solids in a septic tank which can lead to malfunctions and maintenance problems.

15. Consider installing an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don’t have to let the water run while it heats up. This will reduce heating costs for your household.

16. Insulate your water pipes. You’ll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.

17. Never install a water-to-air heat pump or air-conditioning system. Air-to-air models are just as efficient and do not waste water.

18. Install water softening systems only when necessary. Save water and salt by running the minimum amount of regenerations necessary to maintain water softness. Turn softeners off while on vacation.

19. Check your pump. If you have a well at your home, listen to see if the pump kicks on and off while the water is not in use. If it does, you have a leak.

20. When adjusting water temperatures, instead of turning water flow up, try turning it down. If the water is too hot or cold, turn the offender down rather than increasing water flow to balance the temperatures.

21. If the toilet flush handle frequently sticks in the flush position, letting water run constantly, replace or adjust it.

22. Don’t over water your lawn. As a general rule, lawns only need watering every 5 to 7 days in the summer and every 10 to 14 days in the winter. A hearty rain eliminates the need for watering for as long as two weeks. Plant it smart, Xeriscape. Xeriscape landscaping is a great way to design, install and maintain both your plantings and irrigation system that will save you time, money and water. For your free copy of “Plant it Smart,” an easy-to-use guide to Xeriscape landscaping, contact your Water Management District.

23. Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation.

24. Don’t water your street, driveway or sidewalk. Position your sprinklers so that your water lands on the lawn and shrubs … not the paved areas.

25. Install sprinklers that are the most water-efficient for each use. Micro and drip irrigation and soaker hoses are examples of water-efficient methods of irrigation.

26. Regularly check sprinkler systems and timing devices to be sure they are operating properly. It is now the law that “anyone who purchases and installs an automatic lawn sprinkler system MUST install a rain sensor device or switch which will override the irrigation cycle of the sprinkler system when adequate rainfall has occurred.” To retrofit your existing system, contact an irrigation professional for more information.

27. Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches. A lawn cut higher encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds soil moisture better than a closely-clipped lawn.

28. Avoid over fertilizing your lawn. The application of fertilizers increases the need for water. Apply fertilizers which contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.

29. Mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulching also helps to control weeds that compete with plants for water.

30. Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Once established, they do not need to be watered as frequently and they usually will survive a dry period without any watering. Group plans together based on similar water needs.

31. Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas. Using a hose to clean a driveway can waste hundreds of gallons of water.

32. Outfit your hose with a shut-off nozzle which can be adjusted down to fine spray so that water flows only as needed. When finished, “Turn it Off” at the faucet instead of at the nozzle to avoid leaks.

33. Use hose washers between spigots and water hoses to eliminate leaks.

34. Do not leave sprinklers or hoses unattended. Your garden hoses can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours, so don’t leave the sprinkler running all day. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn it off.

35. Check all hoses, connectors and spigots regularly.

36. Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass to do so.

37. Avoid the installation of ornamental water features (such as fountains) unless the water is recycled. Locate where there are mineral losses due to evaporation and wind drift.

38. If you have a swimming pool, consider a new water-saving pool filter. A single back flushing with a traditional filter uses about l80 to 250 gallons of water.

39. Create an awareness of the need for water conservation among your children. Avoid the purchase of recreational water toys which require a constant stream of water.

40. Be aware of and follow all water conservation and water shortage rules and restrictions which may be in effect in your area.

41. Encourage your employer to promote water conservation at the workplace. Suggest that water conservation be put in the employee orientation manual and training program.

42. Patronize businesses which practice and promote water conservation.

43. Report all significant water losses (broken pipes, open hydrants, errant sprinklers, abandoned free-flowing wells, etc.) to the property owner, local authorities or your Water Management District.

44. Encourage your school system and local government to help develop and promote a water conservation ethic among children and adults.

45. Support projects that will lead to an increased use of reclaimed waste water for irrigation and other uses.

46. Support efforts and programs to create a concern for water conservation among tourists and visitors to our state. Make sure your visitors understand the need for, and benefits of, water conservation.

47. Encourage your friends and neighbors to be part of a water conscious community. Promote water conservation in community newsletters, on bulletin boards and by example.

48. Conserve water because it is the right thing to do. Don’t waste water just because someone else is footing the bill such as when you are staying at a hotel.

49. Try to do one thing each day that will result in a savings of water. Don’t worry if the savings is minimal. Every drop counts. And every person can make a difference. So tell your friends, neighbors and co-workers to “Turn it Off” and “Keep it Off”.

50. For faster hot water install a temperature controlled hot water recirculation valve which provides instant hot water to your plumbing (so water is not wasted down the drain waiting for water to run hot at your faucet or shower). The “Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve” is a simple, eco-friendly, DIY installation that can save hot water (an average household can save up to 17,000 gallons per year). It also saves energy costs and can prevent pipe freezing.