Conserve Water

Can Water Conservation Efforts Lower My Costs?

Water conservation efforts can lead to direct cost savings through reduced water bills and energy expenses, as well as indirect savings by reducing maintenance and infrastructure costs. Additionally, it can positively impact your brand image, minimize environmental costs, and ensure compliance with regulations, all of which contribute to a more cost-effective and sustainable operation.

Residential Living Facilities Can Realize Big Savings

The percentage of a residential living facility’s annual costs that water heating accounts for can vary widely depending on several factors, including the size of the facility, the number of residents, the efficiency of the water heating systems, and local utility rates. On average, water heating in such facilities can represent a significant portion of overall energy costs, often ranging from 20% to 30% or more.

The percentage may be higher if the facility has a large number of residents or if it uses older, less energy-efficient water heaters. Conversely, facilities that have invested in energy-efficient water heating systems, implemented water-saving measures, or have a smaller population to serve may have a lower percentage of annual costs dedicated to water heating.

To get a more precise estimate for a specific residential living facility, it’s advisable to review utility bills, consider the facility’s water heating equipment and practices, and assess the number of residents and their hot water usage patterns. Improving the energy efficiency of water heaters and implementing water-saving measures can help reduce water heating costs in such facilities.

Water conservation efforts can indeed lower your costs in several ways:

  1. Reduced Water Bills: Using less water directly translates to lower water bills. Cutting back on water usage can lead to substantial savings on your monthly or annual water expenses.
  2. Energy Savings: Water pumping and treatment require energy. When you use less water, you also reduce the energy required to move, treat, and heat water. This results in lower energy bills and reduced operational costs for businesses.
  3. Wastewater Fees: Many areas charge fees based on the volume of wastewater discharged. By conserving water, you’ll generate less wastewater, leading to lower fees and associated costs.
  4. Infrastructure Costs: Municipalities and utilities may need to invest in infrastructure to meet the water demand of a growing population. By conserving water, you contribute to delaying or reducing the need for costly infrastructure upgrades, which can ultimately lower your taxes or utility rates.
  5. Maintenance and Repairs: Efficient use of water can reduce wear and tear on plumbing systems, fixtures, and appliances. This lowers the frequency of repairs and maintenance, saving on repair and replacement costs.
  6. Water Heater Efficiency: Using less hot water reduces the strain on your water heater, increasing its lifespan and reducing energy costs associated with heating water.
  7. Rebates and Incentives: In some regions, governments and utilities offer incentives or rebates for water-saving technologies and practices. These financial incentives can help offset the costs of water-efficient upgrades.
  8. Environmental Impact Costs: Responsible water use contributes to the preservation of local ecosystems and water resources. By using less water, you help protect the environment, reducing potential costs associated with environmental damage, such as water treatment and restoration.
  9. Brand and Reputation: For businesses, demonstrating a commitment to water conservation can enhance your brand’s image and attract environmentally-conscious customers, potentially increasing revenue.
  10. Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with water conservation regulations and restrictions can avoid fines and legal costs.

Area Nonprofits Are Saving With Water Conservation

Dismas House of Massachusetts made an $8,000 investment to install low-flow faucets and toilets, on-demand water taps, and will complete the project by incorporating a recirculation line to expedite the delivery of hot water to the faucets. These energy-efficient initiatives, complemented by the utilization of tank bank units, provide annual savings of $1,000 to $2,000 for the organization in terms of water and sewer usage. Through the realized savings, Dismas House recouped the initial investment within a span of four years.

Water Conservation Programs

  1. Rebates and Incentives for Multi-Family Properties (5+ Units)
  2. What is a Home Energy Assessment?
  3. Free analysis on your property’s ability to conserve water
  4. Get Started with a No-Cost Assessment
    1. Call Mass Save at 800-594-7277 to schedule your assessment
    2. Free analysis on your property’s ability to conserve water
  5. Where to buy energy efficient products:
    1. Get water-efficient water fixtures here!
    2. Appliances
    3. Electronics
    4. Equipment
    5. Lighting
    6. Recycling 
    7. Rebate Finder

Water conservation techniques can reduce hot water use and cost

Faucet Aerators and Restrictors

  1. Faucet water restrictors regulate the flow of water, decreasing output and total water consumption to lower your water bill.
  2. Look for a WaterSense label
  3. Faucet aerators are one of the cheapest water saving devices on the market. For an investment as low as $2, faucet aerators and earth shower heads can reduce hot water usage by up to 50%.
  4. Savings

Tank Banks

Toilet use accounts for approximate 25% of all household water consumption! The use of tank banks is a key regional strategy in lowering water/sewer cost and lowering water usage. CGLIHC has distributed over a 1,000 tank bank units. Each tank bank unit saves approximately one gallon per flush. On average, each person flushes five times a day. So a program with twelve residents could save sixy gallons of water each day; that’s a potential savings of 21,900 gallons per year.

What Is A Tank Bank?

A tank bank is a water saving device that you put in a toilet tank to reduce the amount of water that is used for each flush of the toilet. It typically works by displacing water in the tank, effectively reducing the volume of water used during each flush. This simple and cost-effective device helps conserve water and is commonly used in households and businesses to promote water efficiency in toilets.

How Does A Tank Bank Work?

Tank banks are easy to set up:

  1. Fill the Tank Bank with water.
  2. Close the valve.
  3. Hang the bag inside the toilet tank.
  4. Start Saving!

Thermostatic Shower Valve

A thermostatic shower valve controls and maintains the temperature of the water in your shower. It’s designed to ensure a consistent and safe water temperature throughout your showering experience. Water heating accounts for about 18% of the average home’s energy use”

Here are its key features and functions:

  1. Temperature Control: A thermostatic shower valve allows you to set and maintain a specific water temperature. You can typically adjust the temperature using a dial or handle. Once you’ve set your desired temperature, the valve will automatically mix the hot and cold water to maintain that temperature, even if there are fluctuations in the water supply, such as when someone elsewhere in the house flushes a toilet or uses another faucet.
  2. Energy Efficiency: By maintaining a consistent temperature, thermostatic shower valves can also help save energy. You won’t need to waste hot water by constantly adjusting the faucet, which can lead to lower energy bills. They also prevent waste water lost while the water heats up.
  3. Ease of Use: These valves are user-friendly, with clear temperature controls, making them a convenient option for shower users.

Rainwater Harvesting

With a rain barrel at the end of your gutter downspout, you can collect rainwater for your lawn and garden without adding to your water bill!

  1. Rain Water Harvesting
  2. Rain Barrels
  3. EPA Facility Stormwater Management | US EPA 
  4. https://www.epa.gov/soakuptherain/what-you-can-do-soak-rain

Solar Hot Water

  1. Solar Hot water is an additional low cost home improvement to lower utilization of electric, gas, and other hot water systems. Using the free power of the sun, solar hot water systems can reduce your utility costs and carbon output as a nonprofit.
  2. Three Things To Do Before Installing Solar Hot Water – Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

Water Conservation Checklist

  1. Assess your water use
  2. Set water conservation goals
  3. Identify water conservation strategies
  4. Develop an implementation plan
  5. Monitor and evaluate progress
  6. Communicate your plan