Homeowners can lower bills and conserve resources by choosing drought-tolerant landscaping and installing efficient appliances and low-flow toilets.

NEW YORK – Reducing your home's water usage is a great way to positively impact the environment and reduce your water bills, especially during the year's hottest months. If you've been trying to save water by taking speedy showers, there might be a better way. Here are some of my top projects for reducing water usage:

Reduce outdoor water consumption
A lot of summer water usage goes to the outdoors, and according to the EPA, as much as half of outdoor water usage ends up wasted.

Plant heat-resistant plants to reduce your water usage. Also, upgrade your irrigation system and collect rainwater to water your plants. Consider watering your yard less frequently, and let your grass grow taller to prevent water from evaporating on hot days.

Get efficient appliances and fixtures
Installing new appliances can be an easy way to make a big difference. Look for Energy-Star-rated appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, to have the most significant impact. As a bonus, a good dishwasher also can eliminate the need to pre-rinse your dishes, saving you both time and money. An Energy Star washing machine uses 33% less water than older models, and an Energy Star dishwasher can save as much as 3,900 gallons of water over the course of its lifetime.

The Environmental Protection Agency established the WaterSense program label to identify products that help you conserve water. Low-flow faucets with the WaterSense label off er as much as a 30% reduction in water flow, saving quite a bit of water in the long run.

Upgrade your toilets
Switching out your toilets for low-flow models can save you money. For example, switching out a toilet to a low-flow model can reduce your water consumption by as much as 20%. If you switch from an old toilet, which could use as much as seven gallons per flush, to a WaterSense-approved toilet, you can lower your water use by as much as 20% to 60%.

Dual-flush toilets use different amounts of water to flush fluids and solids, and a WaterSense dual-flush toilet uses just 1.28 gallons per flush. You can also consider a composting toilet, which uses little or no water at all.

Stay on top of problems
You never know when you have a small leak somewhere, racking up your water bill. Every so often, check around your pipes, toilets and faucets for leaks. You can also put leak detectors under your sinks to catch leaks early. And don't overlook small problems, either. Left unattended, even minor drips can build up over the long run. Your water bill usually will have a chart showing monthly consumption. If you notice an unusual change, you might have a hidden leak. If you can't find the source yourself, it's a good idea to call a licensed plumber to have a look.

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