water saving tips- dishwasher, faucets

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.