5 Simple Home Water Saving Devices

Sometimes it’s the simplest changes that can have the biggest effect on water consumption in the home. The best water saving products can be low-cost but have a long-lasting effect on home energy usage and the utility bill. To make this easy change, here are 5 simple home water saving products you can install today.

Showerheads

If your showerhead can fill a bucket with 1-gallon of water in under 20 seconds, it’s time to change to an earth-friendly model.

Savings

For less than $10, you could purchase a Niagara Earth showerhead that saves up to 5,475 gallons of water annually. Low-flow showerheads also decrease energy usage, so showerheads that release 1.5 gpm (gallons per minute) save around $70 – $105 per year on the electric and gas bill.

Features

Niagara Earth Showerheads have many varying features:

• Massage – settings range from a soft spray to an intense massage
• “Pause” option – slows or stops the water from flowing and is especially handy when you don’t need the water to run, like while soaping up or shaving
• Flow Control Technology – gives you consistent, even water pressure regardless of the pressure from your water system

Faucet Aerators

Faucet aerators are like caps on the tip of faucets. However, unlike caps, faucet aerators help water flow out evenly and consistently while cutting down on water and energy usage.

Savings

Faucet aerators are one of the cheapest water saving devices on the market. For an investment as low as $2, faucet aerators and shower head aerators can reduce hot water usage by up to 50%.

Kitchen

It’s recommended that kitchen faucets use aerators with a flow rate of no less than 1.5 gpm, since kitchen faucets usually need high flow rates.

Bathroom

Bathroom faucets don’t need a high flow rate and will still maintain water pressure with a .5 – 1 gpm aerator.

Toilet Tank Bank

The toilet tank bank is a simple device that looks a little like a hot water bottle. To use it, you simply fill it with water and hang it on the inside of the tank wall. With just that quick installation you’ll save 0.8 gallons of water per flush. 

There is nothing to maintain, it never needs refilling, and it even prevents odors. The product doesn’t change how your toilet functions in any way, either, it just saves water.

Shower Timers

As much as 25 gallons of water can be used during a 15-minute shower. One way to curtail that water waste is with shower timers that can help you make sure you;re not spending too long with the water running. These water saving devices are a fun, smart, and cheap way to keep everyone in the household in line with water usage.

Types

There are different types of shower timers, ranging in price from super cheap to super expensive.

• Sand Timer: These timers can be attached to the shower wall. Some are like an hourglass and some are digital. They’re usually made to keep track of 5-10 minutes and cost as little as $3.

• Digital Shower Timer: A digital timer measures shower time in five-minute intervals. It is installed either with a suction cup or adhesive backing. At the beginning of a shower, a blue LED light appears, and at the 4.5 minute mark, the LED light changes to red. For the last 30 seconds, the red light on the LED shower timer flashes red as a reminder. The cost of this timer is approximately $7.

• A Digital Shower Timer with Water Consumption Calculator: Costing about $15, a digital shower timer and water calculator displays the amount of time spent as well as the amount of water consumed during the shower. It allows you to set the target amount of water to be used, and an alarm sounds once that target has been reached. This timer also can be installed with a suction cup, or hung with a lanyard.

Soil Moisture Meter

For aspiring and expert gardeners alike, the name is self-explanatory; the meters measure soil for adequate moisture. Soil moisture meters are analog-style, and read the moisture levels in the soil to prevent over-watering, a leading cause in plant death.

Most of these water saving products pay for themselves in under a year, but save you money and decrease energy usage for much longer.

Addressing Leaks

One of the best ways to reduce water usage is to install water saving devices that can help identify and fix water leaks. 

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, fixing even a small water leak can save up to 10% per unit on water bills. In fact, households in the U.S. can waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water each year due to leaks. 

By fixing leaks promptly, businesses and homeowners can save up to 20% on their water bills. Not only does fixing leaks help conserve this precious resource, it also helps save money in the long run.

Toilet Leak Detection Tablets

Toilet leaks are a common source of wasted water in commercial buildings. A leaky toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water per day, which can quickly add up to a significant expense for building owners and water departments. One of the easiest ways to detect a toilet leak is by using a toilet leak detection tablet.

To use a toilet leak detection tablet, simply drop the tablet into the toilet tank and wait for a few minutes. If the water in the bowl changes color, it means there’s a leak in the toilet tank or flapper valve. By detecting leaks early, you can save water and prevent damage to your building.

Toilet Fill Cycle Diverters

Another way to save water in commercial buildings is by installing toilet fill cycle diverters. These water saving devices divert some of the water from the toilet tank to the bowl during the fill cycle, reducing the amount of water used to fill the tank. This can save up to half a gallon of water per flush.

Fixing Water Leaks in Commercial Buildings

If you detect a water leak in your building, it’s important to fix it as soon as possible. Not only will this help you conserve water, but it can also prevent damage to your building and save you money in the long run. In addition to using leak detection tablets, toilet fill cycle diverters, and toilet tummies, you may need to replace worn or damaged toilet parts to fix the leak.

In commercial and residential buildings, water saving devices like toilet leak detection tablets, toilet fill cycle diverters, and toilet tummies can easily help you conserve water and save money. You can protect our precious water resources and reduce water waste and bills by using these devices and fixing leaks promptly.

Conclusion

Water waste is a serious problem with a wide range of negative effects. In some places, too much water waste can actually lead to fines and regulatory action. Even where that isn’t an issue, saving water is good for the environment and will save you money, too. Check out our whole selection of water saving products and don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions.