Be water wise in 2023 with smart home-improvement ideas

Everyone agrees that water is an important resource, and with the ongoing megadrought, paired with increasing costs of water in many cities across the country, water consumption is increasingly top of mind. More people are questioning their daily water use and looking for strategic ways to save at home.

Considering that only about 1 percent of the Earth’s water is available for human use, it is important that everyone take steps to reduce water use through smart home improvements. Here are three ways you can make a difference and save money:

UNDERSTAND YOUR WATER FOOTPRINT

The first step is to understand how much water you use. Start by paying attention to your water bill. How much water are you using, and how does that compare to months and years past? Some utilities even provide insight into your use compared to your neighbors’, which can be helpful in seeing if you are above or below average.

Additionally, consider insightful upgrades such as the Kohler H2Wise systems that provide key insight into how much water your home uses every day. Plus, this smart system provides 24/7 monitoring that sends real-time alerts to your phone if the system detects changes in water pressure that signal potential water leakage or other plumbing problems, so you save wasted water, not to mention prevent potential home damage.

Each American uses an average of 82 gallons of water a day at home, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. You can lower your water footprint by being aware of your water usage and making several strategic home improvements.

LOOK FOR LABELS

The average family spends more than $1,000 per year in water costs but can save more than $380 annually from retrofitting with WaterSense-labeled fixtures and ENERGY STAR-certified appliances, according to the EPA. That means if you are making home improvements, it is important to look at the labels of products and choose wisely.

The EPA has recently recognized Kohler Co. with a 2022 WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award for the company’s continual efforts to innovate water-efficient plumbing products, promote water conservation and aid in the protection of this natural resource. This award is the company’s eighth Sustained Excellence recognition and its 13th year of recognition overall by the WaterSense program.

By looking for this label and using these products, you can be part of a movement that is making a big impact on water conservation. Since 2007, cumulative savings as a result of Kohler brands is more than 437 billion gallons of water, 9.26 million metric tons of avoided CO2 emissions and $7 billion in energy and water costs.

MAKE STRATEGIC UPGRADES

Many people are looking for ways to green their home with eco-friendly upgrades. Replacing old toilets and faucets with WaterSense options reduces water use and saves money, especially since these things are used on a daily basis. When it is time to replace washing machines and dishwashers, remember to keep water conservation in mind, as well, when selecting updated appliances.

Swapping out your shower head is another option to help you gain control while saving money. Go a step further with the innovative Anthem digital control that has a sleek, minimalist display that lets you control your outlets, temperature and water flow. An optional builtin eco mode lets you conserve water by using just one outlet at a time, and the summary screen helps to promote mindful water usage.

Finally, do research to determine whether a tankless water heater might be right for your home. Rather than a holding tank, these units heat water on demand, therefore eliminating the long waits between when you turn on the water and when you actually get hot water flowing, which can equate to gallons of wasted water down the drain.

The EPA states that everyone can use at least 20 percent less water by installing waterefficient fixtures and appliances. Pair this with being thoughtful about your water use every day, and your entire family will help conserve this precious resource.