Water Conservation at Home
Preserving a high standard of living depends on a healthy environment. In order
to keep the environment healthy, it is necessary to keep pollution to a minimum
and prevent excessive waste of natural resources. One of the most important
natural resources that humans depend on for survival is water. Among the threats
that human activity presents to its own water supply is the generation of
electric power. Power plants can pollute water in various ways. Coal plants, for
example, produce acid rain and mercury that gets into the water supply and not
only harms people but also contaminates fish. Therefore, it is necessary to
conserve both water and electricity at the same time in order to keep the
environment healthy and protect water supplies for everyone.
Water Conservation
Although the majority of Earth's surface is covered by water, very little of
this water is available for human consumption. Only one percent of the water in
the world is safe for drinking or for use in agriculture. In order to ensure
that everyone has access to clean water, it is necessary to protect water
supplies from pollution and to reduce waste. At home, families can do their part
by cutting down on unnecessary water use and by keeping pollutants such as
pesticides from entering the water supply. Homeowners can replace water-hungry
appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers with newer, more efficient
models. Replacing old plumbing or fixing leaky pipes will not only save water
but also reduce the chances of severe and expensive water damage in the future.
Low-flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads can also help conserve water. Parents
should also teach children to fully turn off faucets to prevent water waste due
to dripping. Families also should take shorter showers, avoid baths, which use
large amounts of water, and turn off the faucet when brushing their teeth.
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Conservation and Other Home Improvement Ideas: Texas A&M provides a list
of links to water-related resources on their Texas Watershed Steward page.
It covers topics such as Federal and state agencies, water quality, water
conservation in the home, and more.
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Drought Planning and Management in Alabama: Read about drought-related
information on the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
water resources website.
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Water Conservation in the Home: Conserving water is the theme of this
page containing household tips and games for children.
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to Kidzone! Water conservation is an important subject for
children to learn about. This page by Water One for Kids presents a
collection of links to conservation-related educational resources available
around the Internet as well as an instructional video about water treatment.
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Water, Sewer, and Home Improvement Resources: Good water conservation
practices are essential to protect access to water for everyone. The
government of Calvert County, Maryland, offers some information about
reducing water waste here.
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Water Conservation Information: Learn about the water supply-related
challenges that face the city of Sonoma, California, on their water
department page.
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Conservation and Home Repair Links: This page by the city of Moses Lake
provides information about its watershed and includes links to water
conservation resources.
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Pleasant Kids Can Make a Difference: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, has
some advice for youngsters about how to protect storm water by reducing
activities that cause water pollution.
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Conservation Tips for the Home: Improvement of Water Usage Efficiency:
Go to the Murfreesboro, Tennessee, website for advice on how to reduce water
use in the home.
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Conservation Tips: Leaky faucets and old washing machines use a lot more
water than is necessary. The city of New Berlin explains how much they can
waste, plus it includes a list of links to resources about water resources
and conservation.
Energy Conservation in the Home
Reducing electricity use in the home cuts down on the need for electricity
generation by pollution-producing power plants. Installing solar panels can save
electricity by allowing you to generate it at home. Homeowners can also check
for and seal gaps in the home that may be allowing air to escape, and they
should replace old or insufficient insulation. Opening blinds and curtains to
allow more sunlight and warmth into the house during the day can reduce heating
costs in the winter, while reducing the amount of sunlight can help keep homes
cooler in the summer months. Families should also get into the habit of turning
off and even unplugging electronic devices such as computers and game consoles
when not in use, as it can help conserve energy and save money. In homes with
children, it is important that parents begin teaching children how to conserve
energy at an early age, as even small children can learn to turn off light
switches when leaving a room.
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New York City Water Damage and Home Repair Experts: The Dry Ease Mold
Removal company specializes in repairing and cleaning up water damage in
homes. This page talks about the steps that are involved in their
restoration process.
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Home Improvement Fads Such as Kitchen Remodeling Come and Go: This
article asserts that kitchen remodeling tends to follow fads. It talks about
the costs and benefits of various remodeling ideas and which kitchen
remodeling ideas are currently trending.
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The Best Low-Cost Eco-Friendly Home Improvement Tips: The Building
Performance Institute offers advice on how to protect the environment while
making home renovations on their home improvement blog.
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Store-Bought Drain Cleaners: Doing More Harm Than Good? Not
all drain-cleaning chemicals are good for clearing blocked pipes at home.
Blakeslee & Sons talks about the drawbacks of using drain cleaners that are
sold in stores instead of hiring a professional to clear chronically clogged
plumbing.
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Information for Sellers: Visit the Windermere Real Estate website for a
short list of real estate-related links.
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Why Water Damage May Make Home Repair Work More Expensive: Water damage
in the home can be extensive, and much of it can remain hidden for a long
time. USA Home Remodeling talks about factors that can make repairing this
kind of damage so costly to fix.
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Remodeling Hazards: The University of Nebraska Extension website
explains some of the dangers that do-it-yourself enthusiasts may encounter
while embarking on home remodeling projects. Ask Lorene explains that these
potential risks come from such things as toxic chemicals, asbestos, and
mold.
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Home Improvement: Are You Into It? Discover eco-friendly
home improvement project ideas by visiting this page.
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Consumer Advice: Home Improvement Commission: It is illegal for an
unlicensed contractor to perform home renovations in the state of Maryland.
This page by the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation explains the
dangers of using unlicensed contractors and provides tips for homeowners on
how to avoid being scammed.
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Building Construction Program: Portland Community College offers
information about their construction industry-related training on this page.
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Benefits of a Home Improvement Membership: This page looks at
subscribing to home maintenance and repair services.
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Home Improvement Registration Steps: Visit the Contractors Licensing
Board page on the California Department of Consumer Affairs website for
information about the steps one must take to acquire a home improvement
salesperson license.
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Home Improvement Projects: The city of Englewood, Colorado, provides
information about regulations involving home renovations on their Building
Division website.
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Take Sustainability Home: This article talks about an educational
program for university faculty and staff to learn about home improvements
that focus on energy conservation.
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Old House Renovation: Click this link to read a short article about home
improvements for older houses.
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HACC Programs and Course Details: Get information about Harrisburg Area
Community College's home remodeling and technical leadership courses on this
page.
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Capitalizing Repairs and Remodeling Expenses: Go here to read the
University of Colorado at Boulder's policy statement regarding capitalizing
expenses for construction work on campus.
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Home Improvement Through NRP: Visit the University of Minnesota Center
for Urban and Regional Affairs website for an analysis of funding
distribution for home improvement projects involving single-family homes.
- What's
In Your Bathroom? Work Reveals History: Marble slabs that were a part of
a Cincinnati resident's shower were discovered to be memorial tablets with
the names of Hebrew Union College's founders.
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For Homeowners: Home Improvement Programs: The city of Cambridge,
Massachusetts, offers information about their home improvement-related
financial aid programs here.
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A Home Energy Primer: Efficiency and Conservation: Cutting down on
wasteful energy use is an important part of protecting the environment.
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Home Improvements: Visit the US Department of Housing and Urban
Development website for links to federal and community-based financial aid
programs for home improvements and repairs.