Ways to Conserve Water and Save Money Around Your Home
Looking for ways to reduce your monthly utility bills? Conserving water could save you hundreds of dollars every year and reduce your environmental impact. You may be surprised by how much water you save by making a minor repair or adopting a new daily routine.
The top 6 ways to conserve water.
#1. Fix leaks and drips.
Check your pipes, faucets, and toilets for leaks. Even a small leak can have a significant impact on your water bill. A small drip can waste 50 gallons of water or more per day. A leaking toilet can waste 100 gallons of water or more a day. Many leaks are cheap and easy to repair.
#2. Stop a running toilet.
Have a toilet that runs long after you’ve flushed? It’s also running up your water bill. You can conserve hundreds of gallons by fixing this problem. Often, the best solution is to replace the flapper. You can do it yourself:
1. Shut off the water to the toilet and then drain the tank.
2. Once it’s drained, unhook the old flapper from the chain and base of the tank.
3. Attach the new flapper and turn the water back on.
If replacing the flapper doesn’t solve the problem, look into a new, energy-efficient model! Buying a new toilet is more affordable than you might think.
#3. Cut down on long showers.
Taking a long, hot shower is a relaxing way to end the day, but it can drive up your water bill. Every minute you are in the shower, 5 to 10 gallons of water run down the drain. Try taking a bath instead!
A hot bath can be just as relaxing while conserving water. A full tub uses less water than a short shower. When you do shower, limit yourself to 10 to 15 minutes. If you prefer showers to baths, consider installing a water-saving showerhead. A new showerhead can reduce the water flow to around 3 gallons a minute.
#4. Shut the water off between tasks.
You may be surprised by how much water you conserve by shutting off the faucet between tasks. For example:
1. After wetting your toothbrush, shut off the water as you brush your teeth.
2. When you’re washing dishes by hand, fill both sinks with water instead of letting the water run as you wash and rinse your dishes.
3. When you rinse fruits and vegetables, fill a bowl with water and rinse them in the bowl instead of
under running water.
Small changes like these will save you dozens of gallons of water every month.
#5. Run sprinklers in the AM.
Run your sprinklers in the morning or at dusk. These are the best watering times for your plants and to conserve water. Plants need more water when you run sprinklers as the sun shines brightly because much of the water evaporates before it sinks into the ground. Watering your yard during the day also increases the risk of a fungal infection.
When you switch to an optimal watering time, make sure to position that sprinkler so that most of the water will fall on your lawn instead of a sidewalk.
#6. Invest in water-saving appliances.
Many people waste gallons of water running their dishwasher or washing machine when it’s only partially full. You can conserve that water by investing in a new, energy-efficient dishwasher or washing machine with small load settings.
The most important water-saving appliance to invest in may be a water softener if you have hard water. Scale from hard water is a leading cause of leaky pipes and appliances. When you have hard water, scaling builds up in threaded pipe joints and appliance valves. It loosens these connections, creating pathways for water to leak out. Installing a water softener will protect your pipes and appliances from this tough wear and tear.
Making small changes to your home and routine can have a big impact on your water usage! You can save gallons of water every day by plugging a leak, switching from showers to baths, turning off the faucet between tasks, or investing in a water-saving appliance. When you receive your next water bill, you will see the savings!
If you have hard water, give us a call! We can help you find an energy-saving water softener that will protect your pipes and appliances from scale buildup.