Simple changes you can make to help save water and lower your bills
According to the Environmental Protection Agency,
nationwide more than 7 billion gallons of water a day
go to landscape irrigation. Aside from that being a lot
of water, as much as half of it is wasted because it
falls on sidewalks or evaporates into the air before it
reaches the ground. Luckily, a few simple changes
can help you save a precious resource and lower
your bills.
HouseLogic recommends that homeowners think of the acronym DIRTS (drip
irrigation, recapture, timers and sensors) in order to remember steps to take for
saving water and money while still maintaining a great-looking yard:
Drip irrigation systems
are long, thin plastic tubes with small fittings that
release water, allowing you to send water only where you need it. A new
drip system costs around $200 for a whole yard, or you can convert your
existing in-ground sprinkler system. The cost is well worth it: Going from
sprinklers to drip irrigation can cut lawn water use by up to 50 percent.
Recapturing rainwater
allows you to irrigate at no cost. To harvest
rainwater, place a simple plastic or wooden drum, with a spigot near the
bottom where you can attach your hose, underneath a downspout. A 60-
gallon barrel costs only $75 to $150, and one inch of rain on a 1,000-
square-foot roof provides 600 gallons of runoff.
Putting your irrigation system on a timer
will keep water waste to a
minimum and can also help you comply with any local watering
restrictions. Timer kits range from the simple to more sophisticated ones
with sensors that adjust the water flow based on how much rain has fallen.
SOURCE: Weichert Insights
