It is no secret that water bills continue to rise year after year. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average American now spends roughly $1000 per year on water and sewer charges. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce those costs without making big changes to your lifestyle. This article will take a closer look at some of those methods to help you find new ways to save money on your water bill.
Contents
Install Low-Flow Toilets
One of the most common ways to save money on water bills is to install low-flow toilets. These are typically 1.28 gallons per flush or lower, and they use significantly less water than conventional models. Due to their efficient nature, these toilets can save homeowners hundreds of dollars every year in comparison.
Use A Water-Saving Shower Head
Another way homeowners can save money on their water bills is by using a showerhead that features a water-saving design. Showerheads that use less than 2.5 gallons of water per minute can be labeled as such, and they typically offer a comparable showering experience to that of traditional models. Moreover, these shower heads can help you save money on your water bill without requiring large sacrifices in the quality of your daily showers.
Insulate Your Pipes
It is possible to dramatically reduce your water heating costs by insulating your pipes. Pipes that are not adequately insulated can lose a significant percentage of their heat every hour, which means that the more time goes by, the less hot water you have available for use. On the other hand, insulated pipes allow this heat to remain inside for longer. In some cases, this can result in an energy savings of up to 20 percent on your water heating bill.
Use Your Dishwasher
Using your dishwasher can have a significant impact on your water bill. It is important to know that dishwashers use significantly less water than washing dishes by hand. For example, a dishwasher can use as little as 2 gallons of water per cycle, whereas the average person uses around 30 to 50 gallons of water to wash dishes by hand. Dishwashers are also more efficient when it comes to energy usage.
Install New Water-Saving Appliances
Making the switch to water-saving appliances is another easy way to reduce your water usage and cut costs. For example, high-efficiency dishwashers use half the water that conventional models do on average. Moreover, clothes washers that are Energy Star certified can save up to $100 per year in utility costs. When it comes to your more expensive appliances like water heaters and refrigerators, make sure to look for models with an Energy Star rating. These appliances are typically 10 percent more efficient than their standard counterparts.
Get Aerators For Your Faucets
An easy way to save money on your water bill is by getting new aerators for your faucets. Aerators typically have tiny holes that help strengthen the force of the water coming out of them. While also helping to use less water. An aerator allows you to use less water for washing hands or brushing teeth without having any adverse effects on your daily routine. An added benefit of using aerators is that they help make the water come out of your faucets faster. Overall, you will be spending less time waiting for hot water to reach your hands.
Check For Leaks Regularly
Checking for leaks in your home is another excellent way to save money on your water bill. People can easily overlook leaks, and they can cause you to spend several hundred extra dollars per year without you even knowing about them. Fortunately, leak detection tools such as water sensors and digital leak detectors can help homeowners find these leaks without much effort. They also provide you with a ton of information about the leaks they detect, such as their location, size, and potential cause. This makes it easier for you to correct them once you’ve found them.
Use Less Hot Water
Using less hot water is another way to save money on your water bill. For example, you can cut back on how much hot water you use for bathing and laundry purposes. This means taking shorter showers and doing fewer loads of laundry each week. Moreover, it also means avoiding pre-rinsing plates, pots, and pans before loading them into the dishwasher. You can save around 2 gallons of water each day by doing this. You can also try doing your laundry using cold water instead of hot water every once in a while. Using cold water is another good way to save money on your utility bills.
Collect Rain Water
Rainwater harvesting is a great way to collect and store free water that you can use for irrigation or other purposes later on. Moreover, rain barrels are becoming increasingly common because they are incredibly affordable and easy to install. These small containers can easily fit in the corner of your home’s garden without taking up too much space. Rainwater harvesting is an excellent way to save money on your monthly utility bills.
Conclusion
Not only do these methods help you save money on your utility bills, but they also conserve water and protect the environment. Implementing even one or two of these methods can help you significantly reduce your monthly water usage and lower your utility bills. By taking advantage of all of them, you can save hundreds of dollars every year without having to give up any modern conveniences. All it takes is a little effort, and you’ll be on your way to putting a little extra money in your pocket.