In our most recent blogs, we have been discussing ways you can make your home more energy efficient, whether by reducing the cost of your heating or more general energy bills. However, it can be easy to forget that water supply and water-based systems also have an impact on the environment and can be a costly monthly bill in your home. In this blog, share ways you can reduce your water usage, water bills and do your bit for the planet! 

Rainwater Harvesting 

Rainwater can be intercepted, safely stored, and used for tasks that do not require drinking-quality water, such as flushing toilets. These tasks could arguably be seen as a waste of high-quality water use for this function, and similarly see rainwater go straight into our drains. However, it is worth considering the cost of installing a system like this (which costs on average £2500 to set up) and weighing up whether savings on your water bills would justify the installation costs and over what time period. Nevertheless, if the environmental impact is your main focus, this is definitely an option for you.

Water-efficient toilets 

Following on a similar theme – WCs are one of the biggest water users in your home. Older, single-flush toilets typically use at least 9 litres of water after every use, compared to modern dual-flush alternatives that use from 3 to 6 litres, dependent on the option you choose. Therefore, if you have an older system, it may be worth considering an upgrade or installing a displacement device inside your old system to reduce the volume of water used. 

Garden water use

Water usage for your garden is another area that has high consumption, with many homeowners already installing water butts to help reduce this usage. Water butts can be easily installed into your existing drainage system, so that you can give your garden the TLC it needs without running up the water bill. Nevertheless, to keep your garden green and bright, an occasional use of the hosepipe may be required – therefore our key point to you is does it desperately need watering? Will the grass return to green when it rains later that week (or that day, given the current summer weather!)? Could you water it by hand rather than by hosepipe to save wastage? 

At Arc Design Services, we specialise in architectural design, offering a fresh and exciting approach to every project. With this in mind, Arc Design Services could help you save water whether this is in your existing home, renovation, or new build plans. Contact our experts today at Arc Design Services at www.arcdesignservices.net or 0161 928 4433.