26 February 2009

Fix that leaking faucet already


March 16-20 has been designated National Fix a Leak Week by the United States' Environmental Protection Agency. They're onto something. Check it:

  • Leaks account for, on average, 11,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year, which is enough to fill a backyard swimming pool.

  • The amount of water leaked from U.S. homes could exceed more than 1 trillion gallons per year. That’s equivalent to the annual water use of Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami combined.

  • Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.

  • Common types of leaks found in the home include leaking toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. All are easily correctable.

  • Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners more than 10 percent on their water bills.

  • Keep your home leak-free by repairing dripping faucets, toilet valves, and showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts don’t require a major investment and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers.

  • The vast majority of leaks can be eliminated after retrofitting a household with new WaterSense labeled fixtures and other high-efficiency appliances.

  • Now if they were serious they call for a National Tear Out Your Lawn Week. But more on that topic later.

    2 comments:

    1. A good reminder to everyone to check for leaks and good move by the EPA to designate a week for fixing leaks! Don't forget about the March 28th date for all Americans to turn out the lights!

      ReplyDelete
    2. Thanks Susan, I don't know about the 28th though, care to enlighten everybody? No pun intended.

      ReplyDelete

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