Most homeowners think about the electricity and fuel bills when it comes to high utility bills. However, your water bill contributes to a decent portion of your monthly budget. There are many easy ways to save water at home and lower your spending. Here are a few helpful tips.
Check Your Irrigation System
Over 1/3 of the water homeowners use in a year is solely for watering the lawn and plants in the yard. While the trees and grass need water to stay healthy, many homeowners water at the wrong time of day, overwater their yards, or have sprinklers placed inefficiently, and water is wasted.
Make sure the sprinklers soak the lawn and garden beds only, not the sidewalk or driveway. Water deeply in the early morning so plants absorb the moisture before the sun’s heat causes it to evaporate, and check your irrigation system for proper placement.
Save Water at Home: Turn Off the Tap
Do you leave the tap on while brushing your teeth or shaving? How long does the shower run before the water is warm? Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth or washing your hands to save water at home. Use a bucket to capture the water from the shower as you wait for it to reach a comfortable temperature and repurpose it for houseplants. Shorter shower times also decrease the amount of water and help lower your bill.
Wait to Do Laundry
Some households run multiple small loads of laundry throughout the week to stay on top of the chore. To save water, wait to start laundry until you have a full load. Always choose the correct load size when using the washing machine to ensure it does not use more water than is needed. Cold water loads use less energy if you also want to reduce your electric bill.
Look for Toilet Leaks to Save Water at Home
Leaks are a hidden source of water waste, and toilets are a common culprit. To save water, do a simple test to see if your toilet is leaking. Put a couple of drops of food coloring into the tank. Wait for at least half an hour and check the bowl for any hint of color. If the color is in the bowl, hire a plumber to make repairs.
Use the Dishwasher
The dishwasher might seem like it uses a lot of water; however, it uses much less to run a modern dishwasher than the sink to clean a whole load of dishes. To save water, fill the dishwasher before running it. With a good dishwasher and quality detergent, you should not need to rinse plates and dishes before putting them in the machine.
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