Sara should replace her old washing machine with a new high-efficiency model first. This is because the washing machine consumes the largest amount of water compared to the other upgrades she wants to make. By replacing her old washing machine that uses 35 gallons of water per load with a new model that only uses 10 gallons per load, Sara can significantly reduce her water usage and make a big impact on her household's eco-friendliness.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), washing machines are one of the biggest water consumers in a household, accounting for about 21% of indoor water usage. By switching to a high-efficiency model, Sara can reduce her water consumption for laundry by 25 gallons per load. Over time, this can add up to significant water savings and lower her water bill.
Additionally, high-efficiency washing machines are also more energy-efficient, meaning Sara can also save on her energy costs. This makes replacing the washing machine a smart choice for saving both water and energy, making it the top priority for Sara's eco-friendly home upgrades.
Sara is working on making her house more eco-friendly. She has a number of upgrades she wants to make such as replacing her toilet that uses 5 gallons per flush with a new toilet that uses 1.2 gallons per flush. She also wants to replace a leaky faucet in her kitchen. Finally, she would like to replace her old washing machine that uses 35 gallons of water per load with a new high-efficiency model that only uses 10 gallons per load.
Which item should Sara replace first and why? Support your answer with evidence and reasoning, write like a student.
1 answer