Looking to lower some of your utility bills? Try your water bill! There are plenty of simple ways to cut your water usage and save money. Here are 6 options for you to try.
Watch for Leaks
Water leaks should never be underestimated as they can be the reason your water bill is so high. A drip from a faucet can look harmless, but when it’s continuous, it can lead to big losses. A single drop per second from a leaky faucet can lead to 2,082 gallons of water wasted each year, according to the US Geological Survey. And over time, that leak could get bigger, meaning even more water wasted.
To save on your water bill, look out for leaks. It could come from damage, a faucet not installed properly, or parts getting old (like a toilet flapper). Once you understand and find the problem, you should take the right measures to fix the problem, like getting a repair kit from the hardware store or calling in a plumber. Fixing leaks doesn’t just reduce your water bill, but it also protects your home from damage that can cost a lot of money to fix.
Load the Dishwasher
It can sound backward, but using a dishwasher is actually a better choice than handwashing for money-saving purposes.
Especially nowadays, a dishwasher is designed to be more efficient in the way we handwash dishes. When you use your dishwasher every night instead of handwashing, for just 10 minutes, you save 100 gallons of water a week. That’s over 5,000 gallons a year. The appliance also allows you to skip rinsing, scrubbing, and drying your dishes, not only saving time but money.
If you want to add even more savings, wait until your dishwasher is full before running it to save on your energy bill as well.
Switch Out Fixtures
Switching out fixtures, like faucets and showerheads, is a great and simple way to save money on your water bill. By upgrading faucets and showerheads, you could save a lot of wasted money and water.
For example, if you’re using an older showerhead, you could be using at least five more gallons per minute. If you switch to a low-flow or high-efficiency showerhead, you could save up to 136 gallons of water per shower. A water-efficient shower head will pay for itself after only a couple of months.
If you’re looking for an even simpler solution than changing out faucet fixtures, consider adding an aerator. Aerators reduce the amount of water used and make the flow more forceful. You can pick them up at the hardware store and attach them to your faucet heads. Then you’re good to go!
Take Shorter Showers
The long, hot shower you take after work may feel good in the moment, but it might be what drives up your water bill. According to the Environment Protection Agency, showers account for 17% of home water use.
Every minute you stay under the stream adds up on your bill. If you can reduce the time you spend in the shower by only 4 minutes, you can reduce your water usage by up to 4,000 gallons of water annually!
Go Native with Landscaping
Cut costs outside by changing up what is planted in your yard. Green grass and beautiful shrubs look amazing, but they might not be the most water-wise choice, especially in Arizona. Instead, opt for native plants in your yard. Options like saguaro, desert willow, bull grass, and Mexican gold poppy are wonderful native plants to plant instead. These varieties have survived in this region for ages and are suited to survive in our local conditions, meaning they require less care and fewer resources to maintain.
Replace Appliances
If you really want to take it up a notch and save even more on your water bill, consider replacing old appliances. Over the years, appliances have only gotten better, faster, and more energy efficient, and is something to consider buying if your water bill is just too high.
When shopping for new appliances, pay attention to the labels that indicate an efficient machine. Machines with a WaterSense or Energy Star seal are ones you can put your trust in, as these seals indicate the machine runs on 35% – 50% less water and 50% less energy per load. Also, if you’re in the market for a washing machine, consider purchasing a front-load washer, as it uses substantially less water than a top-loading model.
We’re always at your service.
City Plumbing Services is at Your Service
Whether it’s repairing leaks, installing a new washing machine, or swapping out a showerhead fixture, City Plumbing Services is always at your service. We’re always here to provide reliable and professional plumbing services you can trust. We’re located in Cave Creek but are ready to help those in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Chandler, Surprise, and most of the East Valley of Arizona.
