I have written, in the past, about the dangers of high water pressure in your home but ran across a great blog today on the www.findplumbing.com discussion forum. This article defines several terms regarding water pressure and the regulation of it but more importantly, from a new viewpoint, hypothesizes that proper regulation of water pressure in your home can effectively save water. It’s common knowledge that your water pressure shouldn’t exceed 60-65 psi to avoid damage to pipe fittings, valves in your automatic appliances and faucets and that high water pressure is the primary cause of “water hammer”. Now how does reducing water pressure save water resources? Reducing the pressure from 100 lbs. to 50 lbs.will result in a saving of approximately 1/3 because 1/3 less water flows at this lower pressure. Remember, there is more "push" behind the water at 100 lbs. than at 50 lbs. and most of this water is wasted. Moderate savings would result if your supply pressure was 65 lbs. However, even at this lower pressure, savings with a regulator would be 20%.
To more easily control the incoming water pressure many newer homes have pressure regulators built into the system between the meter and the house. What is a Water Pressure Regulator? Also called water pressure reducing valves, are compact, inexpensive regulators that perform two functions, they automatically reduce the high incoming water pressure from the city mains to provide a lower, more functional pressure for distribution in the home.
Water pressure regulators are commonly installed at the meter in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. This location is desirable because it then controls the water pressure flowing to all appliances and outlets within the building and provides an inexpensive means of supplying lower, more functional water pressure to outlets and appliances. Considering that a typical family of four uses an average of 255 gallons of water each day for interior plumbing (broken down by: dishwashing - 15 gallons; cooking/drinking - 12 gallons; utility sink - 5 gallons laundry - 35 gallons; bathing - 80 gallons; bathroom sink - 8 gallons; toilet - 100 gallons). When multiplied by a year, a typical family usage totals 93,000 gallons of water so the savings of 30% obtained by lowering your water pressure can be considerable. This is based on the assumption that you are not currently managing the pressure in your home. An average savings would be from $50 to $150 per year, probably much higher. Based on the fact that 1/3 less water flows at 50 lbs. than 100 lbs., you can expect to save up to 1/3 of the water previously consumed. Remember also, however, that 1/3 of the water used in homes is heated so 1/3 of the 30,000 gallons of water saved divided by 2 to reflect a cold water mixing factor would mean a savings in heating up to 5,000 gallons of hot water per year. If you figure 4 cents to heat a gallon of water, the savings would be $200.00. You can also figure on a savings in your sewer surcharge bill, since most of the 30,000 gallons of water saved will not be going into the wastewater system, therefore, you will not be assessed on that. You would also have to figure the savings, generated by not having to have appliances repaired or replaced more frequently.
The Finding Plumbing blog also listed the following tips that you can employ to save water and energy:
1. Put a stopper in your sink or use a dishpan when you wash dishes. Washing with running water uses 30 gallons per meal.
2. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator running the water from the faucet until cold will waste a gallon.
3. Wait until you have a full nine-pound wash before you run your washing machine. The average machine uses 50 gallons per load.
4.Turn the hot water off while you shave, and turn the cold water off while you brush your teeth. Shaving with a running faucet uses about 20 gallons.
5. Take showers instead of baths. The usual bath requires 36 gallons, the usual shower, only 25. Ten gallons is enough for a shower if you turn it off while you lather.
6. Don't use the toilet bowl to dispose of cigarette ashes, facial tissues, and other materials. A normal flush requires 8 gallons. Plus if your on a septic system these items will contribute, long term, to causing septic tank failure.
7. Use dishwasher only when completely full.
8. Fix dripping faucets promptly. Nearly two gallons can be wasted per day of dripping.
9. Running toilets can waste four gallons per hour. Keep them in good repair.
10. THINK before you turn on the tap.
Our water resources are becoming more and more in short supply so anything we can do to conserve not only saves water but saves money.
No comments:
Post a Comment