All of us would like to trim our household expenses and one the best ways we can do that is by reducing our monthly water bill. While there are many easy ways to accomplish this we are sometimes reluctant to take the necessary steps. Most people equate conserving water with making radical changes to their lifestyle. The good news is with a few minor tweaks, you can start seeing savings on your water bill without sacrificing comfort. Here are seven ways you can do right now to reduce your water bill.
Replace Leaky Fixtures
Leaky faucets can waste thousands of gallons of water each year. If you have more than one leaky faucet or a leaky toilet, it can really add up in the course of a year. When it comes time to replace fixtures consider low flow faucet aerators and toilets to help regulate your water usage.
Pull The Plug On Baths
On average it takes about 35 gallons of water to fill up a bathtub. When you compare that to a 5-minute shower that uses around a third of that and making the switch is a no-brainer. When you replace conventional shower heads with low-flow models the savings can be even more significant.
Low Flow Shower Heads
According to the U.S Department of Energy, switching to low-flow shower heads can reduce your water bill by up to 60%. Low-flow shower heads are easy to install and you won’t notice any change in the quality of your morning shower. Spending a little less time in the shower will help as well.
Turn Off The Water While Brushing Or Shaving
We all do it. You’re brushing your teeth or shaving in the bathroom sink and you keep the water running until it’s time to rinse out your mouth or wash the shaving cream off your face. Why do we do it? Most of the time we don’t stop to think how much money we are wasting by not shutting off the faucet when we don’t need the water. Simply remembering to turn off the water when you don’t need it can help lower your monthly bill.
Throw Out The Garbage Disposal
You are pouring money down the drain when you use your garbage disposal. Just throw your waste in the trash instead. Taking the trash out a few extra times a month is more than worth it when you consider the amount of water you can save.
Insulate Your Water Pipes
This has a dual benefit; not only will the insulation protect your pipes from freezing during the winter but it is also a great way to save water. Since the insulation helps water heat up faster you spend less time with the faucet open waiting for the water to get hot enough to wash dishes or shower.
Use The Dishwasher
From a water conservation standpoint, dishwashers are a more efficient way to get dishes clean than hand washing. But make sure you only run the dishwasher when it is full. Otherwise, you are negating any possible savings by not making the best use of the appliance’s money saving potential.