Owning a home can be very expensive. You will often have to cover maintenance costs, pay taxes and bills. Most homeowners are constantly looking for ways to cut costs. One major thing that you can save on is the water bill. When you aren’t careful about water usage, most of it goes into wastage, and you will be paying for water that you don’t necessarily need. Here are various tips from HomeX Plumbing you can use to minimize water usage, save money and manage your bills better.
Replace Inefficient Equipment
Buying more efficient equipment can result to lower water bills. When shopping for new washing machines or dishwashers, look for those with a higher ENERGY STAR rating. Although efficient appliances will cost you more upfront, they will result in long-term savings. Such equipment uses less energy and water compared to regular washers. Also, note that a front-loading washing machine uses less water than a top-load model.
Fix Any Leaks Within the Plumbing System
Keep an eye on the pipes, faucets, sinks and fix any minor leaks as soon as possible. A single drop each second may translate to several gallons of water lost in a year. You will therefore end up paying for water that you didn’t use.
Constantly check for underground pipe leaks. Some signs include extremely wet soil near the house, less water pressure than usual, moisture or water accumulation in the basement. If you notice any of such indications, it’s a good idea that you call a professional plumber to help with repairs.
Wash Clothes and Dishes Efficiently
Avoid running your washing machine to clean a few clothes. It wastes a lot of water and even strains the appliance. Instead, wait until you accumulate a whole load of clothes and wash them together to reduce the number of times you run the machine. It’s also a good idea that you skip the permanent press cycle that uses too much water. Reduce the amount of detergent used to avoid extra rinses.
The same case applies to a dishwasher. Running a fully-loaded machine uses less water than hand washing the dishes. You can also skip the prewash step.
Install Energy-Efficient Showerheads
Replace your showerhead with a low-flow model to save on water bills. Ensure that it has a flow rate of not more than 2.5 gallons per minute. Inefficient models let out up to five gallons each minute. Also, although long showers may feel luxurious at the moment, they result in higher water usage. Hence, opt for shorter showers, and you will most likely see a difference in your water bills.
Don’t Leave The Water Running
Avoid leaving the tap on as you brush your teeth. It might seem like a harmless action, but when repeated, it can drive your water bills higher. Additionally, make it a habit to switch off the shower while lathering up. You can then turn it on when ready to rinse to avoid water wastage. If you need to wash fruits or vegetables, fill the sink with water instead of washing them in running water.
Update Or Modify Your Toilet
The toilet is where most of your household water goes to. You can use an average of 13 liters of water per flush. The idea is to try and flush less water. You can choose to install low-flow toilets into your house, which uses around 1.3 gallons per flush. Also, you can consider the dual flush toilet that has two flush options for different amounts of water. Always use the half flush, especially for liquid waste.
You can also adjust your current toilet to achieve the same effect. Take a plastic bottle, fill it with water, then put it into the tank. The bottle takes up space otherwise occupied by water. With every flush, you will save as much water as the one in the bottle. Alternatively, you can add a brick into the toilet cistern to reduce the amount of water flushed.
Be Creative With Your Gardening
You can lower your water bills by watering your plants early in the morning or later in the evening. There are fewer chances of evaporation, and the soil has a better water holding capacity. When watering, position the sprinkler correctly so that the water goes where it’s needed. Further, you can cut costs by planting native or drought-resistant grass, flower, trees, or shrubs in your garden.
Additionally, mulch your plants to reduce evaporation and maintain moisture even after the rains. If you are still using a regular garden hose to water your plants, consider replacing it with the soaker hose to control water usage better. Also, save your household water for reuse in the garden. It entails reserving your cooking water, collecting water with a bucket while showering, and redirecting water from the washing machine into the lawn.
Collect Rainwater
Use a large container to collect rainwater. You can attach a rain barrel to capture the water on your rooftop. The amount you save will depend on the amount of water harvested. If there is adequate rainfall in your area, collecting a large amount can help minimizes your bills to almost nil. You can then use the water to clean your clothes, house, dishes, or water your garden. If you maintain proper hygiene while collecting the water, you can also use it for drinking or cooking purposes.
Adjust Water Temperature Away From The Sink
When you draw your drinking water directly from the faucet, you might waste a lot of it as you wait for it to cool or heat. For instance, on sunny days, the water from your taps appears somewhat warm. If you want to drink cold water, you might feel tempted to let it run for a while till it gets as cooler as you wish. Over time, this will waste a lot of water that spikes up your bill.
It’s, therefore, a good idea that you store a container of drinking water in the fridge, so you have access to cool water when needed. In case you need hot and your tap produces cold water, heat the water on a stove rather than letting it run.
Repair Broken Water Meter
If you notice a huge water bill and you haven’t changed your usage, check the meter. Turn off the water, and if the meter is still running, then it might be broken. Notify your water providers or call a professional plumber to help you fix it.
Call On HomeX!
Although you can’t live without water, there are various things that you can do to minimize wastage or excessive usage, as outlined above. With the ever-rising cost of water treatment and increasing water demands due to the growing population, water has become scarce and expensive. Even if some tips only help save a gallon of water each day, it will add up, and with time, you will make substantial savings on your water bills.
Should you need help with your plumbing system, you can always reach out to HomeX Plumbing & Rooter. We offer various services, including leak detection and repair, green plumbing, drain, water heater, and treatment services. Our company serves Anaheim, CA, and the surrounding areas. Call us now to book an appointment and enjoy our incredible services.
