HotmailSave water — and $170 a year — the ‘Lazy’ way
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Don’t forget the faucet
Next stop on the water conservation journey is the faucet. The EPA estimates that 15 percent of the average household’s indoor water use goes toward running kitchen and bathroom faucets. Standard faucets flow at two gallons per minute. WaterSense-certified faucets reduce that number to 1.5 gallons per minute — savings that add up over time. Find brands that qualify — including Delta and Moen — on the program's Web site.
Like your faucets just the way they are? Install faucet aerators instead (you can find them at your local hardware store). Aerators from companies such as Creative Energy Technologies sell for under $7 and reduce faucet flow to 1.5 gallons per minute while still delivering a strong, powerful spray. The company also offers a model that reduces flow to .5 gallons per minute, which may be preferable for bathroom sinks, where a strong flow isn’t as important. To date, Neoperl is the only aerator brand approved by WaterSense, but you can expect more to qualify as the WaterSense program gains broader recognition.
Upgrade your dishwasher
Your dishwasher may seem like a guilty necessity, but now there’s another reason — besides easy dinner-party cleanup — to love the appliance. A Europe-wide study conducted by scientists at the University of Bonn found that using the latest models of dishwashers saves both energy and water, not to mention time, when compared with washing dishes by hand.
This is one area where it’s actually preferable to take the lazy route. Though high-quality dishwashers can cost as much as $1,000 when you add in perks like adjustable upper racks, hidden controls, sensors and self-cleaning filters, budget-minded environmentalists can still get the grease off their plates with more economical models. A quick visit to EnergyStar.gov will give you an expansive list of dishwasher models that qualify for the Energy Star label. Dishwashers that are Energy Star rated are at least 41 percent more efficient than standard models. Greenerchoices.org is another solid resource for identifying specific models that clean well while utilizing less energy and water.
The most affordable dishwasher for Lazy Environmentalists is the Whirlpool DU1055XTS(Q) available from Best Buy ($350) and numerous stores across the country. The washer is 43 percent more energy efficient than standard dishwashers and uses just six gallons of water per load (remember, the less water you use, the less energy you’ll burn to heat it). The DU1055XTS(Q) features five wash cycles, a delay start, adjustable tines, a sani-rinse option and a self-cleaning filter.
The one downside to all this eco-affordability is noise. This particular Whirlpool model lacks the sound insulation available in more premium-priced models. If you’re comfortable springing for a bit more, the Bosch SHE33M02UC ($549 at Homeverything.com) is 80 percent more energy efficient than standard dishwashers, utilizes just five gallons of water per load, and is considerably quieter than the Whirlpool DU1055XTS(Q). The Bosch also features a stainless-steel tub, adjustable tines and an adjustable upper rack. And like all Bosch dishwashers, this model uses heat from the wash cycle to dry dishes — yet another way to save energy.
Redefine your washing machine
Laundry machines are a different story. According to the EPA, the average household uses about 40 gallons of water per day doing laundry. Energy Star–rated washing machines can help you cut that amount by more than half while still getting the grass stains out of your kids’ sports uniforms. Ninety percent of the energy expended by clothes washers is used for heating the water, so moving toward an Energy Star, water-efficient model protects the environment and your bank account.
As a rule of thumb, front-loading washers are more energy- and water-efficient than top-loaders. They also require less detergent and have shorter drying times (thanks to better moisture extraction during the spin cycle). Front loaders also tend to hover in the upper price stratosphere with top-of-the-line models reaching close to $2,000. A highly rated yet more affordable front-loader is the Frigidaire GLTF2940FS, available from Sears, PC Richards, Amazon.com, and other retailers for as low as $594. The model gets the job done efficiently and can be stacked easily with a dryer. As for top-loaders, the eco-budget winner is the GE WSE5240GWW available from Sears, Home Depot and other retailers starting at under $400. This GE model offers an ample 3.2 cubic feet of capacity and features an automatic load balancing system that enables the washer to remove more moisture from clothing by spinning at faster speeds (a feature usually reserved for front loaders). As a result, clothes are less damp when they go in the dryer, so they won’t have to stay in as long — which will earn you yet another energy saving point.
Find a new way to water
There is no thirstier task than landscape irrigation, clocking in at about 30 percent of all household water use. To make matters worse, more than 50 percent of the water we use is wasted as a result of evaporation, wind, improper irrigation system design, or overwatering.
Throughout the South and Southwest, water restrictions are already in place in many communities, but installing a smarter irrigation system is another way to keep your lawn and plants thriving while conserving water and cash. The Cyber-Rain XCI is a residential sprinkler control system that allows you to program and control your water output directly from your computer via a wireless link (included with the system). The Cyber-Rain automatically connects to weather satellites to adjust the sprinkler schedule to rain and other climate patterns in your area and lets you view how much water you’re saving in real-time on your computer. The system is equipped with wireless controllers for up to eight separate zones (more zones can be added by purchasing additional controllers) and retails for $349.
Flowerbeds and plants will benefit from a drip irrigation system that sends a slow trickle of water directly to your plants’ roots from a perforated tube installed beneath the soil’s surface. Drip irrigation systems eliminate evaporation waste and off-target sprinkling due to gusts of wind. The systems are affordable (typically as low as $40) though you may want to hire a professional to make sure it’s installed properly.
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terracycle.net Rain barrels like this one from TerraCycle can save you money while keeping your garden green. |
The EPA’s WaterSense Web site maintains an active list of landscaping professionals throughout the country who are qualified to install and provide maintenance on such systems. Check out Dripdepot.com to view a wide selection of drip irrigation systems, and be sure to check out the company’s simple online tutorials and videos that guide you through the installation process should you choose to DIY. A drip system can also be connected to rain barrels, which collect water from your roof’s gutters and downspouts. Try TerraCycle’s rain barrels ($99), made by repurposing empty Kendall-Jackson wine barrels. Find them at Sam’s Club and major gardening centers around the country.
Adapted from Josh Dorfman’s forthcoming book “The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget: Save Money. Save Time. Save the Planet,” to be published in April 2009 by Stewart, Tabori & Chang.
About the author: Josh Dorfman is author of “The Lazy Environmentalist: Your Guide to Easy, Stylish, Green Living” and also the founder and CEO of Vivavi, a provider of modern, eco-friendly furniture and home furnishings. Find out more at lazyenvironmentalist.com.
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