Save Water While Waiting For It To Warm
A common practice by many households is to turn on their shower water until it gets to a temperature they feel is appropriately for showering in. So that means that on top of using large amounts of water just taking a shower, that we also waste tons of water by simply preparing the shower for us to use.
Why does it take so long?
There are three main reasons why it takes longer to get warm water in certain households:
- Distance of Water Heater: This reason makes complete sense as the farther the water heater is from a faucet, the longer warm water will take to reach it.
- Diameter of Pipes: Smaller pipes mean that less water has to flow to faucets. This means that less water has to be heated and therefore it will arrive much faster.
- Flow Rate: Since less water is delivered using low-flow showerheads and faucets, more cold water is sitting in the pipes. This cold water will take longer to flush out before warm water can arrive.
The latest trend in household construction is to make larger pipes and to use lower flow rate faucets and showerheads. This combination delivers hot water the slowest. In some situations, it can take as long as a few minutes.
Solutions
There are ways to combat this huge problem that many of us face beyond just continuing to allow water to be wasted. Here are some great ways to avoid this extra waste of water.
Take Cold Shower
Instead of waiting for warm water, why not take a cold shower? A cold shower is much healthier for your health. It does not dry your skin like hot water can and helps provide better circulation. Just off of that alone it’s worth taking a cold shower, but it also provides water energy savings as well. Since the water doesn’t require to be heated or heated far less, it will require much less energy use by your home’s water heater. It can also help reduce the time we spend taking a shower because we are not waiting for water to be warmed.
Be sure to check out my shower calculator to determine exactly how much water and energy you can save by taking cold showers.
Save the Water
Why does perfectly usable water have to go to waste? Instead of just letting it go down the drain, save the water in a bucket and use it for other things. A great way that this water can be used to flush our toilets. Pouring water in a toilet simulates the action of flushing a toilet without having to waste more water. It could also be used to put in our washing machines or on various applications in the kitchen.
Fixing the Problem
The true way to actually fix this problem is to get a circulator system for your home. The idea behind a system like this is that it pulls the cold water out of the pipes and uses hot water in a different location in your house for the shower. This system allows for hot water to reach its destination much more quickly and not allow the cold water to go to waste. As you can imagine, a system like this can be rather expensive to buy and install. Advanced Conservation Technologies makes the one of these circulating systems called the D’Mand system, which costs approximately $350-500 that doesn’t include installation. If the expense for a system like this is too much, the above alternatives are probably best for you.
Comments
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November 30th, 2009
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November 30th, 2009Trackback from : Water Saving Trends | Earth Promise
That’s a tough one to solve. Collecting the cold water in a bucket seems a little much and taking a cold shower is not that relaxing.
Cold showers are fine in warmer climates. If those of us who live in the UK took a cold shower we would die.
I think keeping the cold water to pour into the dogs bowl is fine. I wouldn’t take a cold shower except on a very hot summer day. In the summer I could use the water on my grass or plants outside.
@Atlanta Fence: It can be a little difficult to try storing the water, but every little bit helps. Also, Taking a cold shower can be difficult at first, but I think it is more of a mental thing. I actually don’t mind cold showers as I usually feel refreshed after I come out, even during the winter. It actually helps me take quicker showers than I would with hot water
@Lauralee: Great ideas I didn’t think about. There are so many ways that water could be used instead of letting it go to waste.
You’re tougher than I am
Not too sure about taking a cold shower during winter, but the saving water in a bucket idea is a great way to start!
Some people get used to take a shower with hot water. They have to consider how to save the energy needed to heat the water. All of us have to aware about this.
I think the problem is people just dont care. They always care after the fact. Something big happens like a water shortage or water prices are going to skyrocket. Then people cry and say we should do something. Well you can do something now.
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Sorry but these practices are a little too extreme for me. I enjoy the luxury of a hot shower too much to give it up. Also I couldn’t imagine trying to save the water from my shower. Am I supposed to just stand in a big basin inside the shower? I don’t see how that would be practical.
Seems like it would be expensive to do such a thing. I like the option where you save the water. You can water plants and stuff with that water.
Wow, asking me to take a cold shower! That’s asking for a lot for me to give hot showers in the winter. Though, I do get the point.
It’s good suggestion and it’s save water and time. Yes, cold shower is much healthier for our health.
I think it’s all about habit. I used to be in the habit of taking hot showers, and that’s what I’d come to expect. Then I got to hearing the benefits of cold showers and now I don’t mind them at all. It just takes getting used to.
What experience, if any, have you had with instant water heaters? I know that they cost a little more up front, but Im not sure about the savings, efficiency, quality, etc.
One way to save some water is to use one of those shower heads that turn the water off when it reaches a certain temperature. That way when you are waiting for it to heat up, you don’t end up wasting a lot of hot water.
I usually use luke warm water instead of hot though. Here are some other tips on water/energy conservation.
http://www.lifesotherside.com/ecoblog/Simple-Ways-To-Make-Your-Home-More-Eco-Friendly/
I agree that water should be spared. We don’t feel now how small are our sweet water reserves, but we could feel that if we just go to some poorer country in Middle Asia, Africa or East Europe.