Public Utilities
900 E. Broad Street
Room 115
(804) 644-3000
E-mail DPU
|
|
| Home Energy Conservation Tips |
 |
Upgrade attic, basement and crawl space insulation. |
|
Caulk cracks around windows and door frames, the foundation, roof vents,
skylights, chimneys, exterior water faucets and other openings. |
|
Contact a qualified professional heating technician for heating system
inspection and service. Have fireplaces and woodstoves checked by a professional
chimney sweep. |
|
Check your furnace filter frequently and replace or clean it as needed. |
|
Set thermostats between 68 and 72 degrees. When not at home, set your
thermostat back at least 5 degrees. |
|
Set water heater temperature to 140 degrees (120 degrees in homes with infants
or elderly persons), and install waterflow restrictors in showerheads and faucets. |
|
Make sure your vents and radiators are clear of obstructions to allow air to flow freely.
|
|
| Water Conservation Tips |
|
Operate fully loaded clothes washing machines and dishwashers. |
|
Repair leaks in toilets and faucets. |
|
Install water-saving devices such as faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads. |
|
Turn off the tap while you shave or brush your teeth and take shorter showers. |
|
Use two basins when washing dishes by hand, one for washing and one for rinsing, rather than a running
faucet. |
|
Clean vegetables using water in a pan and a vegetable brush rather than letting the tap run. |
|
Put a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator so you don't have to run the tap each time someone
gets a glass of water. |
|
Defrost frozen food without running water over the packages. Place food in the refrigerator overnight or
defrost in the microwave. |
|
Water lawn only when it needs it, a deep soak weekly in the morning or early evening (when the least
evaporation occurs) should be adequate. Use hose nozzles that can be shut off
when not in use. A single hose left on uses nearly 300 gallons of water an
hour! |
|
Sweep patios, walkways, driveways, etc. instead of spraying down with a hose. |
|
Wash automobiles with soap, water and a bucket. Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle for a quick final rinse.
Or use a commercial car wash that recycles water. |
|
Maintain your lawn with grass blades 2-1/2 to 3 inches high. Blades can shade each other and reduce
evaporation. |
|
Place a layer of mulch around trees and plants so more water can be retained. |
|
Use a pool cover to keep
water clean and reduce evaporation. Recycle water for use on lawn or garden (not
dish soap water, but shower/bath water or rinse cycle water from the washing
machine are fine). Catching rain water is another good option.
|
|
| Water Usage Information |
How Much Water Am I Using?
| Household faucet |
3-5 gallons/minute |
| Shower |
5-10 gallons/minute |
| Tub bath |
50 gallons if full |
| Dishwasher |
15-20 gallons |
| Washing Machine |
35 gallons |
| Lawn watering |
35 gallons/half-acre |
| Dripping faucet |
1,000 gallons/year |
According to the American Water Works Association:
|
The average household uses 350 gallons of water a day. |
|
Americans drink more than 1 billion glasses of tap water every day. |
|
Approximately 65% of residential water is used outside the home. |
|
The average 1/4 acre lawn can use over 3,000 gallons of water a week. |
|
One inch of rainfall over a one-acre lot produces over 2,400 gallons of water. |
|
Approximately 1/4 of America's renewable water supply is withdrawn each year. |
|
 |
|
