When you’re on a budget, every penny counts. There are numerous places where you can cut daily expenses. Attacking the water bill is one way that doesn’t hurt your lifestyle. Here are eight money saving tips that you can use to lower your water bill.
1. Update Your Toilet to a Low Flow Toilet
The toilet wastes more money than any other item in your house. Standard toilets use about seven gallons of water per flush, which means over 20 percent of a household’s water usage goes down the drain. Update your toilet to a low flow toilet or one of the new water-saving high-efficiency toilets and save six gallons per flush. You can also place a weighted plastic bottle in the toilet tank to reduce water usage with each flush.
2. Take Shorter Showers to Save Water
Twenty percent of the water used in the house is wasted in the shower. That's because most showers last eight minutes and use approximately 17 gallons of water. Take shorter showers, and you'll save on not just your water bill but you'll save money, too.
3. Avoid Running Water in the Bathroom
Don't run the water the entire time you're shaving. You're just pouring water down the drain. Instead, take a bowl and fill it with water. Rinse the razor in the bowl as you shave and you'll really save on water usage. Once you're done, dump that little bit of water down the drain. The same goes for brushing your teeth. Don't run the water; use a bowl or the faucet briefly to wet your toothbrush, shut the water off, and then turn it back on to rinse.
4. Keep Cold Water on Hand
When you turn on the water, it sometimes takes a while to cool it down. Waiting for it to cool wastes a lot of water. Instead, if you want that cold glass of water, reach for a pitcher of it that you keep in the refrigerator. You’ll save money and get an even colder drink.
5. Don’t Rinse Dishes
Washing dishes efficiently can save both time and resources. Don’t rinse your dishes. Instead, scrape them in the waste basket and place them in the dishwasher. Using energy efficient models of dishwashers can further reduce water usage and energy consumption, leading to potential cost savings. If you really want to rinse, fill a large bowl with water and rinse the dishes in it after you scrape.
6. Don’t Use the Garbage Disposal
When you use the garbage disposal, a lot of water goes down the drain. Scrape all your dishes in the waste basket. Better yet, if you're an avid gardener or know one, scrape into a composite. You'll not only be saving water but also helping the environment.
7. Check for Leaks
You may have a dripping faucet and not even realize it. Fixing leaks promptly is crucial to prevent water wastage and unnecessary costs. Check every pipe, faucet, and appliance in the house for drops, including a leaking toilet. This goes for the outside as well. Go into the yard and check for wet spots when you haven’t had rain for a while. Wet spots mean leaks.
8. Purchase an Aerator for Faucets
Water efficient fixtures, such as an aerator - which is a device that screws into the tip of your faucet, can help with lowering your water bill. It increases water pressure and decreases the amount of water from the faucet. It can reduce water consumption by up to 20 gallons per day. An aerator costs about $14.
Conclusion
Save water and you’ll save money. Take the time to inspect and think about how you use water. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends various water conservation practices to help you save even more. By taking these steps, you’ll reduce your water bill and have money for fun activities.
