Have you ever thought about how much water you use in a day? Well, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average family uses 320 gallons of water per day. Water is one of the most basic needs in our lives but just like other human necessities, we need to pay a monthly bill to keep our taps running.
However, the sad news is that many households are struggling to pay water bills every month but there is always a solution. Although it’s not possible to get rid of the bills entirely, there are ways to cut your water usage and reduce your water bill.
Here are the 7 easy steps to reduce your water bill cost.
1. Repair Leaks
Do you know that 10% of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day? Shocking, right? These small leaks like running toilets or kitchen taps could not only be dumping gallons of water down the drain but also your money.
For example, if you want to know whether or not your toilet has a leak, add 5 drops of food coloring to the tank. After 10 minutes, if the bowl has changed color then know there is a link. Therefore, one of the best ways to save water as well as reduce your bill is to take care of the leaks as soon as possible.
2. Utilize the Dishwasher
According to the EPA, running your dishwasher uses less water than hand-washing your dishes. I know you are wondering how that is possible. It’s simple; a modern, efficient dishwasher uses around four gallons of water to clean a full load. However, if you hand wash you are likely to use 27 gallons of water to wash the same amount of dishes.
That’s a big difference? Plus, if you consider how much energy saved by not heating all those gallons of water, you will definitely save some dollars. However, if at the moment you don’t own a dishwasher, try stopping the drain and fill the sink with soapy water and clean all the dishes. After you are done, rinse them with running water.
3. Minimize on Your Shower Time
Everyone deserves a long hot shower to wash away all the cares of the world. Sadly, the longer you linger under the water, the more your water bill skyrockets especially if you are a large family. To reduce the cost of your water bill, try making it a family policy to take shorter showers.
Moreover, to prevent water wastage, you can go the extra mile and replace your old shower heads with low-flow or high-efficiency showerheads. Also, you can purchase the “Navy Shower” which enables you to shut off the water while soaping and turning it back to rinse off.
4. Water Your Lawn at Specific Time
Apart from avoiding watering your lawn every day you can also reduce the amount to water loss by watering at specific times. Mostly this is early in the morning or late in the evening unlike during the day where water is lost through evaporation.
In addition, you should ensure it’s not windy when watering since a lot of water will be lost in sidewalks and driveways. Efficient sprinklers also come in handy since they prevent the irrigation system from turning on when it’s raining. Finally, you should also choose native plants to plant in your yard. Keep in mind, there are many plants to choose from which require little watering to sustain them.
5. Ensure You Cover the Pool
It’s true a pool requires a huge amount of water but that should not be the reason to pay extra money on your water bills. The best way to handle this is by covering the pool when not in use, this way you will get to reduce evaporation. By accomplishing this, the pool will be refilled less frequently thus saving water and reducing the water bill.
6. Avoid Running Water When Shaving or Brushing Your Teeth
Although its common sense, many people forget to close the tap when shaving or brushing your teeth. With this mistake, you end up wasting water which increases your water bill. For a simple solution, if you are shaving and want to rinse off the razor, place a cup with warm water near the sink and dip it there.
7. Collect Rain Water
If you are in a position to collect rainwater then don’t hesitate to do that. Attach a rain barrel to your home’s downspout to capture roof runoff. Nonetheless, if you cannot afford a barrel you can use a water cistern or any large container and will store the water for future use such as watering the lawn or garden.
Conclusion
When it comes to saving money, every bit of effort counts and from the above list, it won’t cost you a lot to make the necessary changes. Try these easy steps and get to see a positive effect on your bill. Remember, you won’t just be reducing your water bill but also playing your part in conserving the precious water.