Global warming is becoming a bigger problem every year. As a result, some areas known to have lots of water are drying up, and water shortage is experienced in every corner of the world. This has led to experts advising on reducing water wastage and conserving as much as possible. If you’ve heeded this advice and are looking for ways to have water-efficient rentals, continue reading to learn some best practices.
- Observe The Water Bill
While you might have invested in educating your tenants on how to preserve water and update all your plumbing equipment, observing the water bill is only one way to know if your efforts were worth it. At this point, you’ll understand if, indeed, your tenants have heeded your request or not.
If the bills are still high, you can take extreme measures or change tactics. Fortunately, there are tools like bluebot that help determine water usage from specific lines. With such a tool, you can determine which lines are causing water wastage and take necessary actions.
- Check For And Repair Leaks
Regardless of the measures you put in place to ensure water efficiency, these measures will be useless if there are leaks. It’s, therefore, vital to ensure the property doesn’t have any leakages before taking any other step.
According to a study, an average family wastes nearly 10,000 gallons of water annually. Fortunately, regular checks for leaks will help you detect the problem and fix them as early as possible. Preventing and repairing leaks as soon as they manifest can help ensure less water will go to waste.
- Update Old Faucets And Appliances
Old faucets, plumbing fixtures, and appliances play a huge role in water wastage. Most of them, especially the old models, were designed without conserving water in mind. Luckily, thanks to technology, water-efficient showerheads, faucets, and appliances are now available. Therefore, accessing them is much easier compared to before.
All you need is to research government-approved water-conserving plumbing fixtures and appliances, and you’re guaranteed to save more water. You can also check the star rating on updated appliances, faucets, and showerheads to ensure you make the right choice. Remember, the more stars, the more efficient the product is.
- Educate Your Tenants On How To Conserve Water
Of course, you might think educating your tenants on reducing water usage is rude. However, this is far from the truth. Most people are looking for ways to lead sustainable lives, and teaching them ways to conserve water can go a long way in ensuring they reach their goals. Again, communication is the key to any solution. Perhaps the tenant will love and appreciate the idea.
Among the best ways to conserve water includes taking shorter showers and turning off the water when brushing teeth or shaving. While not all tenants will love the idea, it’s crucial to inform the importance of conserving as much water as possible.
- Have Aerators Installed On The Faucets
Aerators are mesh screens installed on the end of a faucet to add air to the water stream. Aerators reduce water flow by about one and a half gallons per minute. With that, you can save up to 700 gallons of water per year, making them a better way to stop water wastage.
If your faucets are new, they might have aerators already pre-installed in them. However, if they are old, you should have them installed. Alternatively, you can purchase new faucets with aerators and replace your old ones.
- Incorporate Water-Efficient Practices When Landscaping
Your landscape can also play a role in ensuring you have water-efficient rentals. Among the ways you can save water on your landscaping include:
- Watering twice instead of thrice a day
- Using mulching around the plants to discourage water evaporation
- Eliminating weeds and unwanted plants to preserve water for the appropriate ones
- Watering the landscape in the morning and evening when evaporation is unlikely to occur
It’s also vital to ensure your landscaping corresponds to the region’s climate. While a variety of flowers can add curb appeal and value to your property, growing inappropriate flowers can lead to excess watering, affecting your need to have water-efficient rentals. Therefore, research plants that can thrive under the climate without too much watering.
Conclusion
Drought and water shortage have become global issues. Therefore, finding ways to conserve water and reduce wastage is important. If you’re a landlord or a manager of rental properties, consider taking advantage of the above tips to maintain water-efficient rentals. These tips will not only reduce water wastage but will also save you money.