Madison Park

Duke Energy Water Saving Tips

Around the House

Don’t Flush Money Down the Drain
Water is often something we take for granted, but the truth is that clean, healthy water is not an endless resource. The average American home uses 350 gallons of water per day or 127,000 gallons per year. This results in water bills of $500 per year or more. By making just a few small changes to your daily routine, you can save a significant amount of water, which will help you save money and preserve water supplies for future generations. The following tips and suggestions can help you make your home more water efficient.
Around the House

Check for and repair leaks. Even the smallest leak can waste thousands of gallons of water per year. To check for leaks, read your meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used.
Insulate water pipes. This will limit the time necessary to run water in sinks or the shower to get hot water.
Kitchen

Run your dishwasher on a full load only.
When replacing a dishwasher, be sure to install an Energy Star rated energy efficient unit. They use significantly less water.
Garbage disposals are very water hungry. A compost pile is an environmentally friendly alternative.
Install an instant water in the kitchen so that you do not have to run the water while it heats up.
Don’t rinse hand-washed dishes under running water. Fill up one sink with soapy water and another with rinsing water.
Bathroom

Don’t leave water running while you are shaving or brushing your teeth.
Take shorter showers. Try taking a cold shower, it will encourage you to get out quickly!
Install low-flow faucets and showerheads. A low-flow showerhead can save up to 2–3 gallons per minute.
Repair leaky toilets. They can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. To check for leaks, put food coloring in the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl, then you have a leak.
Older toilets can use 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush. Replace these units with new models that use less than 1.3 gallons per flush, a savings of 60% to 80%.
Laundry

Operate your washing machine using only a full load.
Choose newer, efficient washing machines that use less water. An Energy Star rated machine uses only 18–25 gallons per load, compared to 40 gallons for conventional machines.
Yard and Garden

Pay close attention to water restrictions in your county.
If watering is allowed, don't over do it. Water only every 3 to 5 days during the summer.
Water your lawn in the early morning or evening to avoid wasting water through evaporation. Set automatic sprinklers to turn on at night.
Install timers to shut off sprinklers at a set time or a specific water amount.
Choose water-efficient drip irrigation systems for shrubs and flowerbeds. These systems use 30%–50% percent less water than conventional watering methods.
Stay abreast of ongoing drought conditions in the Carolinas by visiting Duke Energy’s Drought Information page.

Don?’t Flush Money Down the Drain