2019 June Newsletter

We always tend to think more about water-saving tips during the hot dry summer season, and relax when the winter rains come. However, it’s important to be water-wise during the colder months as well.

Water usage goes up in winter, as we enjoy more hot showers and baths, and use heaters or electric blankets to keep warm. Water is needed to make electricity, and using more electrical devices means you’re using more water as well.

Here are some smart water-saving tips for the winter months. These will help you to reduce your monthly water and electricity bills as well.

Save Water, Save Power, Save Money

Insulate your home. Close up any gaps under your doors and around your windows. This will make the temperature in your home easier to control, and you won’t need to use as much heat.

Insulate your pipes. Freezing winter temperatures can affect your home’s water pipes. Cover all outside exposed pipes and insulate them, to prevent them from freezing and cracking or bursting.

Treat your geyser well. Install a timer on the geyser, so it only switches on during the times when you need to heat your household water, and switches off when it isn’t needed. Invest in a geyser blanket – this will reduce heat loss in your geyser, and can save up to 25% on electricity use.

Collect rainwater. If you live in an area with high winter rainfall, take advantage of this. Use a rainwater collection tank to harvest water, and use it to wash your car and water your garden.

Make sure you know where to find your home’s shut-off valve. If a pipe bursts, you should be able to cut off the water immediately, instead of waiting for a plumber to arrive and fix the pipe.

Cover your swimming pool for winter. Evaporation still happens during the colder months. Keeping a cover on your pool when it’s not in use reduces evaporation, and saves you many gallons of water.

If you’re leaving your home empty for a few weeks during the winter holidays, drain the water system. You can do this by shutting off the main water valve and turning on all hot and cold water fixtures until the water stops running. When you get back home, turn on the main valve and let each fixture run until the pipes are full again.

Take a short shower (no more than 5-minutes). Longer showers will fill your bathroom with steam and condensation, wasting water and damaging the walls and ceiling over time.

The occasional hot bath is a real treat, but don’t make it a daily habit. Replace an unnecessary full bath with a hot cup of tea or coffee instead.

Stick to these water-saving tips and enjoy a more sustainable winter season – with more affordable water and power bills!

 

 

Source:

Winter Water Conservation, Usage and Money Saving Tips. Retrieved from: https://www.rainrich.com/winter-water-usage-and-money-saving-tips/

8 Ways to Save Water in Winter. Retrieved from: https://www.installitdirect.com/learn/water-conservation-in-winter/

5 Tips to Help You Save Water this Winter. Retrieved from: https://www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za/5-tips-help-save-water-winter/