If you’re a homeowner, there’s a good chance your local water company will send you a water conservation kit at some point. You might also pick one up at a community event or through a local conservation group.
It may not seem like the world’s most exciting gift, but believe us when we say that water conservation kits are more fun than they look — at least if you like saving water. The best water conservation kits offer real value, completely free, and when they’re used correctly, they can offer noticeable savings on your household usage.
Some of the things included in a water conservation kit don’t require any installation at all. Other items need a little elbow grease, but that’s nothing to be intimidated by. With a water conservation kit, installation is intended to be simple. The components of most kits are designed to be user-installed, with minimal tools.
In this article, we’ll talk about three of the most common components of a water conservation kit, along with installation instructions for each of them. And don’t worry — none of the jobs on this list will take more than 15 minutes out of your Saturday afternoon.
Installing a Low-Flow Shower Head
A low-flow showerhead can save as much as 2,300 gallons of water per year, reducing energy bills by as much as $145. Since installation only takes a few minutes, it’s one of the easiest ways to reduce water and energy usage in your home.
Working with plumbing can be intimidating, but this is a straightforward job that almost anyone can do.
Materials Needed:
- Low-flow showerhead
- Adjustable wrench or pliers
- Teflon (plumber’s) tape
- Rag or towel (optional)
Steps:
- Turn off the water:
You shouldn’t need to turn off the main supply of water, just shutting off the shower itself is fine. - Remove the old showerhead:
Use an adjustable wrench or pliers to unscrew the old showerhead from the shower arm (the pipe extending from the wall). Some residual water will probably drip out, so be prepared.If you plan to reuse it elsewhere, use a rag or towel to protect the old showerhead from being scratched by the pliers. - Clean the threads:
Once the old showerhead is removed, clean the shower arm threads with a rag to remove any debris, old plumber’s tape, or mineral buildup. Be sure to clean thoroughly so you achieve a good seal with your teflon tape. - Apply Teflon tape:
Wrap the threads of the shower arm with plumber’s tape (Teflon tape) to ensure a snug fit and prevent leaks.
Wrap it clockwise 2-3 times to cover all the threads, making sure it’s smooth and tight. - Install the new low-flow showerhead:
Screw the new showerhead onto the shower arm by hand, turning it clockwise. Once hand-tight, use a wrench to tighten it another quarter turn if necessary. Don’t overtighten, as this could damage the showerhead or shower arm. - Test for leaks:
Turn on the water and test the showerhead for leaks. If water is leaking from the connection, turn off the water and tighten the showerhead slightly more. If leaks persist, check the threads for debris, or add more tape. - Adjust settings (if applicable):
Many low-flow showerheads have adjustable settings. Make sure to adjust the spray type and pressure to your preference.
Once these steps are complete, your new low-flow showerhead should be ready to use!
Bathroom Faucet Aerators
After you’ve installed your new showerhead, and before you put away your tools, check if your conservation kit came with any bathroom faucet aerators. (A lot of conservation kits also include kitchen faucet aerators, so check for that too.) Both types of aerators are a great way to reduce water usage.
Materials Needed:
- Bathroom faucet aerator
- Wrench (if old aerator doesn’t easily turn.)
Steps:
- Remove the old aerator, if there is one, by unscrewing it from the end of the faucet. (Remember to turn to the left to loosen and the right to tighten.)
Note: Faucets have either inside or outside threading for attaching an aerator. Some aerators, like the Niagara Tri-Max Aerator, will fit either style off faucet, but installation will vary depending on which style you have. - Screw the new aerator into the front of the faucet.
For inside threaded faucets, install the aerator with both of the rubber washers that are included with the item. For outside threaded faucets, remove the top washer (Washer A, according to the enclosed instructions) before screwing the item in place.
Watch the short video below for a demonstration of how to install an aerator.
Installing a Toilet Fill Cycle Diverter
Installing a toilet fill cycle diverter is a simple and effective way to conserve water by diverting excess water from the bowl to the tank during the fill cycle. Here’s how to do it:
Materials Needed:
- Toilet fill cycle diverter (usually a small plastic clip with a hose port)
- Scissors (optional, if hose trimming is needed)
Steps:
- Turn off the water supply:
Locate the water shutoff valve (usually behind or underneath the toilet) and turn it clockwise. - Flush the toilet:
Flush the toilet to empty the tank and bowl. This makes it easier to work inside the tank. - Locate the fill tube:
Inside the toilet tank, find the fill tube. This is a small, flexible tube that usually runs from the fill valve (the vertical mechanism on the left side) to the overflow tube (the tall, open tube in the center of the tank). - Attach the diverter:
The fill cycle diverter is designed to clip onto the overflow tube. Slide the diverter clip over the top of the overflow tube, positioning it so that it redirects the fill tube water into the tank. - Trim the fill tube (optional):
If the fill tube is too long or doesn’t fit well, you can use scissors to trim it to the correct length so it fits neatly into the diverter. - Turn on the water supply:
Turn the water supply back on by rotating the valve counterclockwise. Allow the tank to fill and check that water is being redirected into the tank through the diverter. - Test the toilet:
Flush the toilet a few times to ensure the diverter is working properly. Check for any leaks or misplacement of the diverter.
By following these steps, you should successfully install a toilet fill cycle diverter, which helps save water by optimizing the refill process.
Using Toilet Leak Detection Tablets
Toilet leak detection tablets are an easy way to check if your toilet has a silent leak, which can waste a lot of water. These tablets help identify leaks by dyeing the water in the toilet tank. Where that dyed water goes will tell you whether water is seeping into the bowl when it shouldn’t be. Here’s how to use them:
Materials Needed:
- Toilet leak detection tablets
- A few minutes of observation time
Steps:
- Ensure the toilet hasn’t been flushed recently:
Make sure no one has used or flushed the toilet for at least 10-15 minutes before testing. This ensures the water in the tank is settled and makes it easier to detect a leak. - Open the toilet tank lid:
Carefully remove the lid from the toilet tank and set it aside. Be gentle as these lids can be heavy and fragile. - Drop the leak detection tablets into the tank:
Drop 1-2 leak detection tablets into the water in the toilet tank. They will dissolve and color the water, typically blue or green, depending on the brand. - Wait for 10-15 minutes:
Allow the tablets (or dye) to fully dissolve and sit in the tank for 10-15 minutes without flushing. This waiting period will help the dye settle into the tank water. - Check the toilet bowl:
After the waiting period, inspect the water in the toilet bowl. If the water in the bowl is clear, there is no leak. - If colored water appears in the toilet bowl, this indicates a leak. It means water is seeping from the tank into the bowl, likely through the flapper valve or another part of the tank mechanism.
- Identify and fix the leak:
If a leak is detected, you’ll need to repair or replace the faulty component in the toilet’s tank, most commonly the flapper valve. Other possible issues could be a faulty fill valve or an improperly adjusted float. - Flush the toilet:
Once the test is done, flush the toilet to clear the dye from both the tank and the bowl.
Regularly using leak detection tablets can help prevent water waste, as even small, silent leaks can add up to significant water loss over time.
Easy Changes, Real Benefits
And there you have it — simple instructions for installing the items that come in a typical water conservation kit. If your local company hasn’t sent you a water conservation kit, you could consider buying one yourself. Conservation Mart sells a variety of water conservation kits that can help you save both water and energy,