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Engineering Service Tips

Water and electricity saving tips

• When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
• Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
• Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
• Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
• If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.
• Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
• We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
• When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient.
• Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.
• When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
• Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
• Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
• Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.
• When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
• Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use
• Use a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
• Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
• Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
• Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets
• Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
• If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
• Direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems toward water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings.
• Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You'll save up to 100 gallons every time.
• Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
• Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more.
• Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.
• When shopping for a new clothes washer, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some of these can save up to 20 gallons per load, and energy too.
• When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or a large container and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed.
• Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month.
• If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
• Turn off kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing to retain heated air.
• Use CFLs in all the portable table and floor lamps in your home. Consider carefully the size and fit of these systems when you select them. Some home fixtures may not accommodate some of the larger CFLs.
• Use 4-foot fluorescent fixtures with reflective backing and electronic ballasts for your workroom, garage, and laundry areas.
• Turn off the lights in any room you're not using, or consider installing timers, photo cells, or occupancy sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights are on.
• Install fluorescent light fixtures for all ceiling- and wall-mounted fixtures that will be on for more than 2 hours each day.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in place of comparable incandescent bulbs to save about 50 percent on your lighting costs. CFLs use only one-fourth the energy and last up to 10 times longer
• Turn your lights off when you leave a room. Standard, incandescent light bulbs should be turned off whenever they are not needed. Fluorescent lights should be turned off whenever you'll be away for 15 minutes or more.