Posted on August 22, 2010 at 2:19 PM by Briana Herpst
I've often thought of myself as a pretty "green" person - raised a vegetarian by hippy parents I've always assumed that it was a part of my make-up to be environmentally conscious. So, when the online Water Use Calculator (WECalc) was mentioned at a recent Public Works Subcommittee meeting, I thought "Oh, I wonder how far under the average our house will rate?"
Well, after spending the few minutes it takes to answer all of the questions on the WECalc site, I was able to get my answer - although it was not the one I was expecting (you know what they say about making assumptions...). One gallon per day more than the national average! 35 more gallons per day than the efficient home?! How can this be?! We have energy star appliances and everything!
Fortunately, part of what the WECalc site offers is a list of suggestions to help lower your water and energy use - from free things, like shortening your showers by one minute, to things that cost a few dollars, like installing 1.5 gmp faucet aerators, to things that cost a few hundred or more. We will be taking a serious look at some of their recommendations and putting them into place. And, I've even started to get creative with some ideas of my own (maybe the baby can take her baths in the kitchen sink instead of the tub...).
Curious to see how your house scores? Check it out and let me know!
