Tips For Saving Valuable Water And Money This Summer

When temperatures rise, most people lower their thermostat on the air conditioning. They also increase their water usage as they try to keep lawns green. But, there are ways to stay cool and keep lawns from turning brown while saving energy. Here are some tips for surviving the summer heat in a more environmentally friendly way.

Use Water Wisely

Reducing water usage is not only good for the environment, but it can also save on water bills. In extremely hot or dry climates, smart water usage can prevent rationing.

Outdoor Water Use

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 30% of residential water usage comes from outdoor residential use. When and how you water lawns and plants can significantly reduce water consumption. 

1. Water early. Set your sprinkler system to activate before 8:00 am. Let it run until the ground is soaked down to six to eight inches. Watering early minimizes water loss due to evaporation.
2. Water less. Daily watering isn’t needed as long as you soak the ground when you do. Three times a week should be sufficient in most environments. Deeper, more infrequent waterings will also strengthen the root systems of your grass, trees, and plants.
3. Water wisely. Adjust your sprinkler system so it doesn’t activate during or after a rainstorm, and also be prepared to skip a day if temperatures cool. Overwatering can create negative effects and by being diligent you will save it for those really hot days coming on the horizon.

Consider xeriscapes as a long-term alternative. These landscaping techniques minimize water usage, often replacing lawns with alternative materials such as rocks and desert-like plants. On top of requiring zero inputs, you can customize the look to your natural environment and stand out in your neighborhood. Oh yeah, and you won’t have to mow your lawn ever again, so it’s a real win-win situation.

Indoor Water Use

The following tips on indoor water conservation are not just for summers. They can be applied year-round to reduce water usage in your home.

1. Toilets. Place a plastic jug full of water and a few pebbles for weight into the tank of your toilet. The container displaces water, so less is required to fill the tank after each flush. When replacing a toilet, consider a low-water-use model for continuous conservation.
2. Showers. Take shorter showers. During the summer, take cooler showers. Hot showers create steam and increase the indoor temperature, requiring your air conditioner to work harder.
3. Laundry. Only wash large loads, and consider washing some items by hand. Wash clothes less often. Do jeans really need to be washed after a single wearing? What about bedding and towels? Fewer washes can also extend the life of your clothes. Most loads can and should be run on the cold water setting.
4. Dishes. Run the dishwasher only when it’s full. If you need a dish, glass, or pan, wash it by hand using a small stream of water and shutting it off when applying soap.

Lower Your Air Conditioning Use

While it’s convenient to crank up the AC when temperatures rise, consider the following tips for efficient energy use during the summer months.

1. Check Your AC. Contact an HVAC professional to check your AC unit before summer starts. Just like cars, air conditioners work better when they are finely tuned.
2. Change Filters. Clogged filters make HVAC systems work harder. Replace filters at the start of summer and then every 90 days. You may need to change them more frequently if you live in dry, dusty environments.
3. Install an Attic Fan. If you’ve ever had to visit the attic during the summer, you know how hot it can be. Placing a fan in the attic can circulate the air and move the hot air out. Installing a solar fan uses renewable energy rather than fossil fuels.
4. Use Room Fans. If you have ceiling fans, use them before turning on the air conditioning. Place floor fans in places without ceiling ones. Running fans early in the morning can help keep the cooler air circulating and create breezes to help you stay comfortable throughout the day.
5. Close the Curtains. Close your curtains or blinds in west or east facing windows to block out excessive sun. Reopen them again in the early morning and evenings when the sun rays are less intense.
6. Grill More. Using your stove or oven during the summer raises the indoor temperature. Consider alternative cooking methods, such as outdoor grilling. Nothing says summer like hamburgers or hot dogs on the grill.
7. Cook Less. If you’re the cook, look at alternative menus. Look at salads or meatless meals. Use appliances like slow cookers. What better way to enjoy summer than dropping dinner in a crockpot on your way to the pool for the afternoon?

Look at longer-term solutions to keep cool. Adding sunshield coatings to buildings and RVs can reflect UV rays and keep cool air in. Another option is to install windows that also reflect UV rays and smart window shades that will activate when the temperatures rise.

Save the Planet

Summers highlight the need for resource conservation. They are an excellent time to implement planet-saving habits for year-round use. You may even be surprised at how fun some of these tips can be.

Eat ice cream cones. Ice cream is part of everyone’s summer. Instead of getting ice cream in a cup, ask for a cone. It reduces the use of plastic spoons and Styrofoam cups. It may not help the waistline, but it does reduce non-recyclable waste.

Take up gardening. If you don’t have space for a garden, consider container gardening. Having salad ingredients on your patio reduces trips to the store and lessens food waste. 

Use reusable bags. You can never have too many reusable bags. Keeping bags in your car or on hooks by the door ensures that you never leave the house without one. Reusable bags can help offset the increased use of plastic during the summer months. The average consumer increases their use of plastic by 40% during the summer.

As you can see, you don’t have to upend your entire way of life in order to help reduce water and energy waste. Even if you do just a few things on this guide, you are still making a positive impact on your community and on your pocket book. All in all, finding ways to save energy and conserve natural resources are two great ways people can help protect the planet, and that’s something we can all feel good about. Have an excellent summer and stay cool out there!