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Fix leaky taps. At one drop per second, a leaky tap could waste 800 litres of water a month. Fixing the tap can be as easy as replacing a rubber washer using a wrench and screwdriver.
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Use faucet aerators. With a twist of your wrist you can reduce water consumption by 25 to 50 per cent per tap by installing a faucet aerator. Your local retailer has a selection of models, including ones with washers that do not need to be replaced.
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Take a quick shower instead of soaking in the tub. Taking a relaxing hot bath uses about 75 litres of hot water. A five minute shower with a low-flow shower head uses less than half of that and can save more than 28,000 litres of water a year.
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Switch to a cold cycle. Did you know that about 25 per cent of your hot water is used by a washer? Try using cold water to wash and rinse your laundry. Not only will this save enough energy for 220 showers a year, but it also protects your clothes from fading and shrinking. Another easy way to save while doing laundry is to set the water level to match the size of your load.
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Fill it up and choose the right setting. When using your dishwasher, always run a full load. Choose the light or short cycle for easy-to-clean loads and the energy-saving drying cycle for additional efficiency. Alternatively, open the dishwasher when the wash cycle is complete and let the dishes air dry — this can reduce your energy use by 10 per cent.