Tips to Reduce Your Water Bill

Utility bills can become overwhelming, and many of us look for ways to reduce our monthly obligations. The favorite target is our internet or cable bills, but your water bill is one that you can significantly reduce if you follow a few tips on how to reduce your use of water.

Try these common-sense methods of reducing your use of water every month and reduce your water bill.

1. Only run full loads of laundry

Don’t use your washing machine to clean that favorite T-shirt or to get a clean pair of jeans. Not only does it waste water and increase your water bill to run small loads, but it also puts extra wear and tear on your machine. Doing only full loads and reducing the number of times you run your machine will significantly reduce your water use.

2. Don’t rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher

Washing dishes by hand wastes more water than using your dishwasher. A typical hand-washing of dishes uses over twenty gallons of water, while an energy-efficient dishwasher will use under five. Many people find the need to rinse their dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, which is a waste of water. Scrape the excess food off the dishes into the garbage and put the dish directly into the dishwasher without a rinse.

3. Install a water-efficient toilet

Efficient, modern toilets use less than two gallons per flush. These newer model toilets no longer have the issues of the first ones released on the market. A low-flow model toilet will help you slash your water bill.

4. Check for water leaks regularly

A small opening in your plumbing can waste up to one-hundred gallons of water a day. Perform a routine check on your plumbing both inside and out to check for dripping faucets, hoses, showerheads, and sprinklers. Many times a dripping faucet can be fixed by replacing its washer.

5. Don’t let the water run in the bathroom

Many people have the habit of letting the water run while they brush their teeth or shave. By filling the sink with water before brushing or shaving, you can reduce the amount of water you use daily and reduce your water bill.

6. Replace your showerheads

If you have never replaced your showerheads, now is a good time. The markets now carry low-flow, high-efficiency showerheads that significantly reduce the amount of water you use to shower. Federal Energy Policy Act of 1992, made it mandatory for showerheads to have no more than a 2.5-gallon flow of water per minute.

7. Limit or reduce showers

Showers are responsible for more than fifteen percent of a home’s water usage. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends reducing this amount by limiting your shower to five minutes or cutting back on the frequency of showering.

8. Install faucet aerators

Having a faucet aerator will reduce the flow of water through your faucets. The aerators will cut your water usage and the energy required to heat hot water. By putting aerators on each of your faucets, you can dramatically reduce the amount of water used in your sinks.

9. Don’t wash your car at home

Washing your car at home uses a significant amount of water. Take your car to the professionals or the local car wash. You can save up to one-hundred gallons of water by letting the professionals clean your vehicle.

10. Invest in new high-efficiency appliances

Many power companies offer incentives or rebates for replacing your older model appliances. Even without the rebates or incentives, you would still be money ahead by replacing your older models by the amount you’ll save on your utility bills. When shopping for new appliances, you should look for the EPA’s label or the Energy Star certification.

Where To Go For All Your Plumbing Questions and Needs

B&L Plumbing Service, located in Lee’s Summit, MO is your residential plumbing company to go to for all your plumbing needs. We service the entire Kansas City Metro areas in Missouri and Kansas. It is our mission to solve your plumbing challenges and we are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. If you would like more information on saving money on your water bill or any plumbing advice, give our experts a call.