5 Renovation Steps To Make Your Home Water Efficient

Singapore households consume about 193.5 million gallons of water per day and by 2060, the demand for water could double. Therefore, to ensure that consumers “feel the price of water” to realise its true value and scarcity, the water price will increase a total of 30 percent by July next year. Hence, what can homeowners like you do to prepare your home for the impending water price hike?

Fret not! Here is a simple 5 step renovation process to make your home more water efficient and cut your water bills!

Step 1. Identify water fittings and appliances

Image from homedecorinfo

The first step in preparing your home to be water efficient is to identify all the water fittings and appliances in your place. The list of common water fittings and appliances include the shower taps, basin taps, sink or bib taps and mixers, showerheads, flushing cisterns and washing machines.

---

Step 2. Know the different types of water fittings and appliances

Image from kosip

The potential water savings are actually based on the type of the water fittings and appliances products. For instance, certain water appliances such as washing machines are available in two models; front-load and top-load. A front-load washing machine consumes around 50-70% less water than a typical top-load washing machine. In addition, certain basin mixers include features such as flow-limiting aerator to reduce water consumption too.

---

Step 3. Understand the importance of water efficiency label

With effect from 1 Apr 2017, all the water fittings and appliances products shall bear the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) water efficiency label. The intention of this move is to help you in making informed choices prior purchase. Thus, you should learn to spot the following blue labels and understand the difference between the ticks.

For washing machines

For taps and mixers and dual-flush low capacity flushing cisterns and Showerheads

Images from PUB

There are 2 types of WELS labels; for mandatory (taps and mixers, dual flush low capacity flushing cisterns) and voluntary (for showerheads).  Do note that the registration number is displayed whilst serial number is displayed on the voluntary WELS Label.

The WELS ratings given for the water fittings and appliances are based on the flow rate or the flush capacity. The ticks indicated by the WELS label will give you an idea of the savings achieved. In general, although the water fittings and appliances products with the most number of ticks are more expensive, they are actually cheaper since they help to conserve more water in the long run.

Image from instagram

Shower Taps & Mixer 1 tick (11% savings) 2 ticks (33% savings) 3 ticks (44% savings)

Basin Taps & Mixers 1 tick (17% savings) 2 ticks (50% savings) 3 ticks (67% savings)

Sink / Bib Taps & Mixers 1 tick (13% savings) 2 ticks (38% savings) 3 ticks (50% savings)

Flushing Cisterns 1 tick (0% savings) 2 ticks (12% savings) 3 ticks (18% savings)

Washing Machines 1 tick (0% savings) 2 ticks (0% savings) 3 ticks (29% savings) 4 ticks (43% savings)

Showerheads 1 tick (11% savings) 2 ticks (33% savings) 3 ticks (44% savings)

---

 Step 4. Simple hacks for the water fittings

Image from mybetterhome

You can perform DIY hacks such as installing thimbles for your taps to regulate the taps' water flow rate, installing shower regulator at the base of the shower hose and displacing water in the toilet tank, by placing a soda bottle filled with sand or rocks to trick the flush into thinking it is full, to save around half a gallon per flush.

---

Step 5. Recycle water with the help of renovation professionals

Image from contemporist

Aside from using water efficient fittings and appliances and performing simple hacks, collecting and recycling water will save this non-renewable resource even more. Water recycling can range from very simple methods to a slightly more complicated system. For instance, instead of letting the condensation water from the air-conditioner or condenser tumble dryer to be discharged into a nearby internal floor trap, you can work with your renovation professionals to get the water discharged into a bucket or so on. Hence, a renovation professional with an extensive amount of expertise will be able to assist you during this process.

Image from instructables

Last but not least, here is a water conservation inforgraphic for you.