When we head to the bathroom, we often don’t think about the impacts we’re having on our water usage or the consequences that roll around as a result. But according to governments statistics, the shower alone accounts for 34 per cent on indoor water usage in Australian bathrooms. And that’s a lot. The toilet also contributes 26 per cent of these figures, while the laundry sits at 23 per cent. So how can you have a positive impact on these trends and the way you choose to operate your home?
Why you need to think about water conservation
In Australia, we’re not new to hearing about droughts or the importance of water storage. Even though we’re an island surrounded by an abundance of oceans, rivers and lakes, only one per cent of this mass can be consumed by humans. That means that we need to do as much as we can to optimise our own reservoirs to ensure we’re getting the most out of what we can healthily access.
Right now, water pollution across the globe is still a significant issue, and as the population continues to increase, measures must be taken in order to have enough of supply on hand. Conservation is crucial if we want to be able to keep our planet and our communities safe and as healthy as possible – and water is at the core of this.
Even tiny little steps that you take at home can have a profound impact on all of this. Imagine if we all did one thing to help our water conservation efforts; imagine the progress we’d gain as a global community.
There are benefits of saving water in your home
Reducing how much water you use at home – especially in the bathroom – can bring you plenty of advantages, and not just for the environment. Here are a few wins:
- Cut costs on water bills
- Get more life out of your septic tank
- Eliminate unnecessary energy costs
- Help the environment and conservation.
But how exactly can saving water also help you towards lowering energy costs as a whole? Well, some appliances don’t exactly feature the most energy-efficient designs. That’s where their specific rating comes in handy, allowing you to figure out whether your dryer, washing machine, dishwasher or other appliance is having a positive influence on your overall household operating costs.
Keep an eye out for this logo.
Additionally, you can cut down on your bills even further by optimising your household with a renewable energy solution like solar power. The panels on your rooftop allow you to run your appliances (like the above) through the energy that you’ve created yourself. Best of all, excess electricity can be stored in a battery system – allowing you to use it in off-peak or less sunny periods (like night time).
RELATED: Energy Efficiency in Australia
Note: Remember that your current household expenses are probably increasing, due to COVID-19 and lockdown regulations. We recommend reading this guide on adapting your household living during coronavirus.
