College students are constantly flooded with food, drink, and electricity, pushing the concept of environmental conservation to the back burner. This open tap of resources available to us proves problematic when it finally shuts off. The residents in my dorm learned this the hard way when our hall ran out of hot water. Water conservation truly became a lifestyle. Everyone was forced to master the art of the “in-and-out” shower – and it was one of the best environmental wake up calls we could have received.
This is because, as many of us already know, nothing about your shower is “free.” A typical showerhead spews between 2-5 gallons/minute, so that 20-minute shower is sending around 60 gallons down the drain every day. According to Pays To Live Green, shaving off just 5 minutes can save $0.025 per shower — that’s over 4,500 gallons per year. Check out their shower calculator to find out how much water you’re wasting.
College students are not aware of the full cost of water because they don’t see a single water bill during their stay in their dorm. But it’s cold here in Boston and, in the recent absence of hot water on campus, we certainly started to value this precious resource more. Here are 5 simple shower strategies my suitemates and I have adopted to conserve water:
1) Lessen water pressure
Most dorms won’t allow residents to install low-flow shower heads, but there are other ways to slow down the pressure. Keep the flow on its lowest setting by only partially turning on the water while it heats up. This reduces waste whenever pressure isn’t actually needed.
2) Create a shower playlist
Put together 3-4 songs that add up to around 10 minutes. This helps to stay on track and be mindful of the passing time. Challenge yourself to finish your shower before the end of the playlist. When you achieve that goal, cut the playlist down by a song!
3) Combine shampoo + conditioner
There are plenty of quality shampoo/conditioner fusions on the market that are sure to shave off a few minutes in the shower. If you can’t forgo one or the other, try swapping in a combo just once or twice per week. (Phasing out shampoo can also train your hair to slow down its oil production: read more here)
4) Take a break to shave
As you shower, place a bucket under the stream to collect soap and hot water. Then, when it’s time to shave, turn it off until you’re ready to rinse – using the water you’ve collected instead of the showerhead. This prevents the draining of 5 minutes (or more)’s worth of water for those who shave large portions of their body. Plus, it facilitates a way faster process in the cold!
5) Try out the “staggered” shower
Also called the “navy” or “sea” shower, the “staggered” shower is an efficient water conservation strategy: take the bucket idea from #4, but apply it to shampooing, conditioning, shaving, and lathering.It might sound extreme, but turning off running water when you don’t need to rinse is no doubt the most effective way to save energy.
Showering accounts for 17% of our residential water use on college campuses, so it’s vital not to think of your shower as a limitless indulgence. Be mindful of the time spent under the tap and remember:just 1-2 minutes less in a day can save hundreds of gallons a year.
Boston was lucky to be spared the wrath of winter storm Sandy, but the damage to much of New England shows just how destructive nature can be. Winter storms are inevitable in New England, and without a plan you could be putting yourself in danger. It is vital to ensure that your home is prepared for winter storms and power outages before it is too late.
The winter months can wear down your health and your home if you don’t protect yourself. Failing to take care will leave you at risk during the hardest months of the year. Here are some water-related tips for the winter season:
Home Preparation
Failing to winterize your house puts your finances and your own health in danger. Make sure your gutters are clear before the cold weather and frozen debris make it impossible. Keeping your gutters clean also guarantees there will be no water in the basement or foundation of your home.
One common and devastating winter problem is freezing pipes . Find out where your water pipes are, and use insulation to protect the coldest parts of your home. Locate your water valves so that you can cut the water if your pipes leak. Visit the American Water Works Association blog for full instructions on how to winterize your pipes.
Where’s the Water?
Getting caught off-guard by a winter emergency can be made even more serious if you are not well-supplied. Keep a stock of emergency water for drinking, cooking, and flushing the toilet when the power is out and reuse clean water where you can. You can get a FREE water quality analysis here to make sure that you are storing only the highest quality and safest water for your family.
Finding water is one of the biggest challenges during a power outage. If you get your water from a well, a hand pump is a great option for accessing your water without power. These systems would be a great back up plan for communities with wells, and can even be fitted with solar-powered pumps.
Lessons Learned
Hurricane Sandy has shown the Northeast how devastating unexpected storms can be. Preparing your home for the winter could potentially save your life this year. Take a look at a full list of Massachusetts winter storm tips and create a survival kit for your household.
This past summer Americans were tested by one of the worst national droughts of all time; one that will continue to affect food and utility costs for years. While this drought was no fun for many, it should be seen as a reminder from Mother Nature that we need to start becoming more water efficient. Updating your shower-heads can save money and save a significant amount of water while still delivering water pressure.
Older shower-heads use around 3.5 gallons a minute; most new and efficient shower-heads can operate on 2 gallons a minute, with some as low as 1.5. By upgrading your shower-heads, the average household will save over 15,000 gallons of water each year and $94 from your water bill. You can make your house so much more efficient with just a few quick and easy adjustments, there is no reason to stay inefficient!
WaterSense Label
According to the EPA, showering makes up around 17% of home water usage, or around 30 gallons per household each day. Water efficient products come with a WaterSense label guaranteeing their quality and reduced water consumption. Installing WaterSense shower-heads will save the average household 2,300 gallons per year, while also saving energy. It’s an easy way to reduce your water footprint and save money.
WaterSense shower-heads use only 2 gallons a minute but still offer a satisfying bathing experience. Additionally, taking water conscious, short showers will decrease the amount of water you waste. If you really want to save water, turn off the water as you lather up, and then back on to rinse off. By using WaterSense products and making small changes you can conserve thousands of gallons a year.
The Best Shower-Heads
Here are our favorite options:
5. Road Runner II – 1.5 gallons per minute with multiple settings. Also includes a function that conserves water until it is heated to a comfortable temperature.
4. Niagara Earth Massage – A great standard in efficient shower-heads. Saves 40% more energy and water than a standard 2.5 gallon per minute shower-head.
3. Oxygenix 60120 Skincare – Another great 1.5 gallon per minute option. This shower-head has a sleek design and is self-pressuring, meaning you get a great shower with multiple pressure options.
2. Niagara Earth Massage 1.25 – The same great standard, even more efficient. Offers a massage stream feature to ensure a satisfying shower.
1. Faucet Aerators – If you really want to take water efficiency to the next level, you can order aerators that only use .5 to 1 gallon per minute. These save an enormous amount of money, energy, and water each year.
Make sure your home is up-to-date and water-efficient. Also be conscious of your time in the shower and just how much is going down the drain. With the right shower-head you can drastically cut down how much water you consume each year.
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