This winter, conserve water and energy in your kitchen and laundry room by making simple fixture upgrades and adopting behavioral changes. These tips will help cut utility costs and reduce waste during the colder months.

In the Laundry Room
Approximately 90% of a washing machine’s energy is used for heating water. Using cold water eliminates this energy use while keeping clothes clean:

• Switch to cold water to cut energy usage per load almost in half.
• Wash only full loads, saving over 3,400 gallons annually.
• Adjust water levels appropriately for load size.

In the Kitchen
Save water whether cooking or cleaning:

• Scrape dishes before loading the dishwasher instead of rinsing — modern dishwashers handle the rest.
• Run the dishwasher only when full and air-dry when possible.
• If hand washing, fill the sink with soapy water, wash all dishes, then rinse them together. Hand washing uses 20 gallons per load versus 4 gallons for efficient dishwashers — a significant difference over time!

Small changes in these two rooms can add up to big savings on your water and energy bills.