Tag: Water saving

Counting on …day 1:029

29th January 2023

As with energy, conserving  water is important. Last year’s heat wave and drought were a timely reminder. Whilst as a proportion of all the water used in the UK, domestic water use is small (accounting for less than 10%) it is one area which we can control. Using less water when washing, turning off taps when we’re not using them, chowing water efficient appliances, reusing water where appropriate etc. if you’re not too squeamish, flush the loo less often: ‘If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down.’

For further information 

https://greentau.org/tag/water-efficiency/

and …

The Green Tau: issue 49

Counting on … day 353

18th October 2022

Maxpixel

Despite recent rain, forecasters predict that the UK will still be feeling the effects of this years dry summer in 2023 with farmers having to rethink what crops they grow using less water. Whilst  domestic use is only a small portion of total water consumption, it is still important that we treat water in our homes as a precious resource and conserve it. 

Both to save water and to save energy, we have switched from daily to weekly showers with a flannel wash on other days – I don’t think we smell!

 Counting on …day 283

20th August 2022

Taps, showers,  baths and toilets can use vastly differing amounts of energy and water, making some more efficient and environmentally friendly than others. The Unified Water Label is used by companies across Europe to give consumers the information they need to make informed choices.  There is, as yet, no legal requirement for such labelling to be used in the UK. 

Counting on …day 269

7th August 2022

Saving water and saving energy often go hand in hand. Showering less often (swop for a daily wash) saves both water and energy used heating the water. Ditto if you wash your clothes less often. 

As our hot water tank is upstairs and the kitchen sink down stairs, we realised that to get hot water from the kitchen tap we were drawing an extra 5 litres of water. By heating water for washing up in the kettle we have saved both water and electricity. (One kettle provides for one washing up cycle). 

 Counting on ….day 267

5th August 2022

With climate change a reality we have to find ways of living with droughts. There are many ways of using less water in the house – washing up with a kettle of hot water rather than drawing off water from the hot water cylinder before it runs hot. Having a wash rather than a shower. Washing clothes less often and use a quick wash setting.  Washing the floor with a damp cloth rather than a bucket of water. Another significant water saving action is to flush the toilet less often – after a quick pee just close the lid.

At the same time, if you can, save the water you have used – known as grey water – and use it on the garden. 

Counting on …. Day 172

4th May 2022

If you are still looking for ways to reduce your gas consumption in response to the invasion of Ukraine, and  use gas to heat your hot water, there are several ways you do this. 

  • If you wash up in a bowl,  rather than drawing hot water that’s been heated by the boiler, use a kettle. One kettle is usually enough.
  • Reduce the number of showers you take – begin by showering one day and have a basin wash the next. Skin doesn’t get as dirty as we think. 
  • When you shower reduce the time under the shower – 5 minutes is a good target.
  • Wash your hands with cold water – it is just as effective at removing germs. What is important is lathering the soap and rubbing all parts of your hands.