Cooperative Living March 2023 - 21

CUTTINGEDGE
Saving for a Rainy Day
by Katherine Loving, Contributing Columnist
Water conservation can be achieved in many ways
C
onservingwater at home can
result in several downstream
benefits and savings. Being
mindful ofhome water use helps
preserve the amount ofwater in our local
reservoirs and reduces costs associated
with water and wastewater treatment,
including the cost ofdelivering it to
the home (for those using a public
water service).
Leaky toilets, showerheads and
dripping faucets can waste up to 2,700
gallons ofwater annually. Home water
conservation can simply start by checking
your house for any leaks and drips.
Another simple way to conserve water
is to limit runningwater when it isn't
necessary. For example, turn offthe
faucet while brushing your teeth, and
defrost food in the refrigerator or in
the microwave instead ofplacing frozen
food under runningwater.
Home gardens are another potential
area for water conservation. Thoughtful
planning can transform your home
garden from a water drain to a waterefficient
oasis.
Start by planting drought-resistant
plants or those with minimal water needs.
Group the plants by similar water needs
to avoid waste by watering from plantto-plant.
Additionally, a drip irrigation
system for plants that require more water
can boost efficiency by using less water
over a longer period. Alternatively,
Harvested rainwater is an
●●cellent option for watering
ornate gardens and washing
cars.
set lawn sprinklers on a
timer to limit water use
and place themwhere the
water will only reach plants,
not pavement.
Water heating
accounts for about
20% of a home's
energy bill.
- Dept. ofEnergy
make to increase water heating efficiency.
Reduce hot water use by switching to
low-flow faucets and showerheads. You
can also turn down the water heater
thermostat to 120 degrees and
insulate hot water lines to
increase energy savings.
Additional ways to conserve
both water and electricity in the
home include upgrading clothes
washers and dishwashers to newer,
ROLL OUT THE BARREL
Another conservation option is to
use a rain barrel to collect water for
non-potable purposes. Virginia
encourages its residents to harvest
rainwater ifit is for non-potable purposes
and the first 4 inches ofwater are flushed
via a diverter; and offers tax credits to
those with rainwater collection and
harvesting systems. Maryland does
not currently have any regulations on
rainwater harvesting, but some counties
offer incentive programs.
Harvested rainwater is an excellent
option for watering ornate gardens
and washing cars.
Another option for collectingwater
for the garden is to collect cold water
that runs while you're waiting on the
water to heat. Every drop ofrunning
water you can utilize helps.
REDUCING ENERGY COST
Reducingwater use at home can also
help lower your energy use. The
Department ofEnergy estimates that
water heating accounts for about 20%
ofa home's energy bill. Switching to
an energy efficient heat pump water
heater can save considerable money on
electric bills. Heat pump water heaters
have higher upfront costs than storage
tank models, but tax incentives and
potential rebates can offset this cost.
Check with your local electric
cooperative to see ifthey offer rebates
or a load management program.
Ifupgrading your water heater isn't an
option, there are small changes you can
co-opliving.com
more energy efficient models. Running
these appliances only when full or
selecting a " light wash " setting reduces
water and electricity use.Washing dishes
by hand uses more water than an energy
efficient dishwasher, so avoid this method
when possible.
Leaky toilets,
showerheads
and dripping
faucets can
waste up to
2,700 gallons
of water annually.
Ifyour home uses well water, it's
important to be mindful ofwater
conservation, particularly in drier
climates.Well pumps run on electricity
and can be a source ofhigher energy bills.
Dry, over pumped wells can cause the
pump to run continuously, using excess
energy in the process. Malfunctioning
well pumps also lead to spikes in energy
use. Regular maintenance can help
identify problems, such as leaks and
faulty intake, which can lead to increased
use ofboth water and electricity.
As you can see, there are a variety
ofchanges -some large, some small -
that can help you conserve water at home.
Regardless ofhow you do it, thoughtfully
managingwater use can protect our water
supply and make significant changes
on energy bills. 
Katherine Lovingwrites on consumer
and cooperative affairsfor theNational
RuralElectric CooperativeAssociation.
March 2023 ● Cooperative Living ●
19
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Cooperative Living March 2023

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