Quick Fix - Shower Savings

The great thing about beginning to retrofit green is there are often many easy and inexpensive changes that can make a big difference.  We will talk about water circulation systems in a future post.  Before you take on a larger project, its nice to take small steps.  In the shower, you can save water and energy by installing a shower shut-off valve.

Danco Valve

The valves cost between $5-10 and the project takes 30 minutes to complete.  After installation, simply turn the water off at the valve while shampooing, lathering or shaving.  Complete instructions are available at Lifehacker.  This can cut your water and energy use significantly without having to rush your shower.  It is often overlooked that, even if you are not in a water sensitive area, using less hot water also contributes to big energy savings.

For added water savings, collect water in a bucket while the shower heats up.  This clean water can be used to water houseplants or vegetable garden.