GYR Tips for Showers, Tubs and Faucets

There is nothing like a cool shower at the end of a hot day, but the bathroom is a hidden source of energy consumption. Improperly functioning water heaters can drive up energy bills considerably, and outdated plumbing can waste a lot of water. Water waste can cause your water heater to work overtime, which in turn drives up your energy bill. It’s a vicious cycle, but one that can be broken with a few simple maintenance activities.

		Check that your water heater is insulated properly, and set at a safe temperature. Even when your goal is a cool shower or bath, your water heater is working. That is why it is important to ensure that your water heater is working efficiently. Water heaters need insulation just like roofs do, and insulating your heater can be achieved for as little as $30. The savings, in reduced energy and water usage, is much more. To increase savings, consider a tankless on-demand water heater or one that runs on solar energy—a real possibility in sunny Fort Lauderdale. Finally, make sure that whatever heater you use, it is set at a safe temperature. 120°F should be enough to ensure your comfort, reduce the chance of accidental skin burns, and also reduce energy usage.
		Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Showering is one of the leading ways we use water. It accounts for nearly 17 percent of residential indoor water use. Standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm), and faucets with outdated aerators can use as much as 2.2 gpm. While we encourage you to turn off the water when you can, there is an easy way to lower your water usage even with the water running. Installing water–saving showerheads and aerators with products that have the WaterSense label reduces showerhead flow by 20% and faucet flow by 30% which can save the average family over 3,500 gallons per year. Since the water savings also reduces the demand on the water heaters, there is substantial energy savings too. Achieving these savings can be as easy as twisting on a part which costs as little as a few dollars. The City of Fort Lauderdale is an EPA Water Sense Partner, and has run showerhead and aerator exchange programs. You can check our Conservation Pays website for more information and availability.
		Update your toilet. The Broward Water Partnership is a government service consisting of 19 municipalities and water utilities who have come together to help save water, money and the environment. Conservation Pays is the associated rebate and incentive program. Replacing your toilet with one that is low flow saves water, which means it saves you money as well. Low flow units use 1.6 gallons of water or less. Some models even have a dual flush system whereby you can manually choose from two low flow settings depending upon the type of waste. The City of Fort Lauderdale is an active participant in the partnership and program. Fort Lauderdale neighbors are encouraged to replace their current toilets that use more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush with WaterSense® certified High-Efficiency Toilets (HET). Rebates are provided for up $100 each, or the cost of the HET, whichever is less. Residential customers can receive up to two rebates, while commercial, nonprofit and multi-family establishments can receive up to five, and more on a case-by-case basis. Additional water-efficiency tools are available free of charge on a first come first serve basis. Contact the Conservation Pays office for more information.