7 ways to conserve energy

April 22 may be Earth Day, but there’s something we can do every day to conserve energy and help save our earth. Here are some plumbing related, energy-saving and eco-friendly ideas.

Fix a leak. Don’t wait to fix a leaky tap, toilet or pipe. According to the “drip calculator” a slow leak of 10 drips per minute will waste almost 5.5 litres of water. In a month, this adds up to 163.5 litres! The most common causes of dripping faucets are worn washers or worn cartridges, which are an easy fix.
Insulate. Insulating your pipes can reduce heat loss and energy use during particularly cold times of the year.
Update an outdated water heater. Most hot water heaters have a 10-year life expectancy. Consider changing these outdated heaters with energy efficient ones. Smart water heaters offer more efficiency than traditional units. Another option is the tankless water heater – an option for smaller families with smaller demands on water. The tankless heater heats water on demand giving you only the water you need.
Clear sediment. It’s a good idea to remove water from the bottom of your hot water tank regularly to remove any sediment on the bottom. Look for the sediment faucet at the bottom of your tank. This will allow for an even distribution of heat and improve the efficiency of your heater.
Take a shower. You might enjoy a nice long bath, but if you’re trying to conserve water, a shower is the way to go. A shower will use considerably less hot water than filling the bathtub. At the same time, replace older shower heads with an eco-friendly option. Low flow showerheads can reduce water usage by up to 40%!
Time it. Put a timer on your sprinkler when watering your lawn so you don’t forget to turn it off or over water.
Make a flush count. There are several high efficiency toilets on the market. Is it time to replace your toilet for a water-saving one? Low flow and dual flow toilets use roughly half the amount of water per flush.