Downtown Boston real estate owners how to save water in your condo

It’s always wise to save money on your Boston real estate water bill, Boston is a dense city, and we all have to take responsibility for making sure we don’t use more than our fair share of water.

A good rule of thumb is to reduce your water consumption by twenty percent. I thought I’d share 20 of my favorite ways to save water; when enough individuals follow these sort of tips, it adds up to a lot of water saved:

1. Run the washing machine for full loads only.
2. Flush the toilet only when absolutely necessary.
3. Use a dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand.
4. Limit shower use to a max of five minutes; you’ll save up to 1,000 gallons monthly.
5. Turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth, lathering your hands or shaving.
6. Consider buying a dual-flush, low-flow toilet.
7. Water outdoor plants/lawns in the early morning or late evening.
8. Cut your watering to two times a week instead of seven.
9. Plant drought-resistant trees and flowers.
10. Use a broom to clean the sidewalk and driveway, not the hose.
11. Install low-flow showerheads.
12. Run the washing machine for full loads only. Max out at two loads weekly. Yes, it can be done. 
13. While you wait for hot water, collect the running water and use it to water plants.
14. Soak pots and pans instead of running the water while you scrape them.
15. When doing laundry, match the size of the load to the water level.
16. Love baths? Keep them to a minimum. A full bathtub requires up to 70 gallons of water.
17. Install water-saving aerators on all your faucets.
18. Check your faucets and showerheads for leaks. Drips are deadly in droughts.
19. Wash your pets outdoors, in an area that needs watering.
20. Water dry spots in your landscaping by hand instead of running the entire irrigation system.

One of the most expensive utilities in the United States is water bills, especially for Boston condo associations. If you live in a downtown Boston condo and the condo fees account for a large chunk of the association fees, here are some water-saving tips for you and your neighbors

1. Invest in Water-Saving Fittings

Chances are you already have a low-flow toilet installed in your Boston high rise condo, but you can always install more water-saving devices such as efficient showerheads and faucet aerators for other parts of the bathroom

2. Become Water-Conscious in the Bathroom

Letting the water flow from the tap while brushing your teeth is a wasteful practice that’s relatively easy to avoid. We’re talking about saving about a gallon per minute if you turn the tap off. Taking long and luxuriant showers is a harder habit to break. However, it really pays off to stop or reduce the water flow while you’re lathering.

3. Evaluate Energy-Efficient Appliances

Energy Star home appliances aren’t only rated for their low electricity consumption. In the case of washing machines and dishwashers, they’re also rated in terms of water savings. For example, a top-loading washing machine such as the Whirlpool WTW4915EW doesn’t use too much water. As for dishwashers, look for those that use no more than three gallons, which is the threshold that makes them more efficient than washing dishes by hand. Many renovated Beacon Hill condos for sale are using these energy-efficient appliances.

4. Keep Cool Water in the Refrigerator

If you’re used to running the tap for a few seconds for the purpose of collecting cool drinking water, a better idea is to keep a gallon or more of water in the refrigerator. In this fashion, you can fill each jug with about 15 glasses of cool water and save about a gallon of water per week. As downtown Boston summer heat comes in this summer you’ll thank me

5. Plan on Doing Your Laundry More Efficiently

The best way to save water when doing the laundry is to always wash a full load to avoid midweek washes. Planning your wardrobe for a full week makes it easier to reach a full load without having to wash your favorite outfits more than once. To save even more water, you can also use a similar full load approach when running the dishwasher.

If you’re interested in purchasing a Boston Seaport condo or Boston Midtown high rise keep us in mind when you begin your search. Give us a call today at 617-595-3712 to schedule an appointment.