Easy Tips to Save Your Water Bill and The Planet

People have made a lot of mistakes when it comes to caring for our planet, but we’re starting to turn things around. Whether you purchase tissues made from recycled paper, drink from reusable water bottles, or use environmentally friendly cleaners, you’re taking small steps that have a tremendous impact over time.

Sometimes, environmentally friendly products are expensive, which might put them out of your reach if your budget is tight. However, many water conservation measures are free and can save you money right away. Read on for some frugal, home-plumbing driven water saving tips that will benefit your bank account and the planet.

Install Low Flushing Toilets

You don’t have to replace perfectly good toilets, but if you’re in the market for a new toilet anyway, consider purchasing a water-efficient fixture.

The original low flush toilets weren’t very successful because the only change was that they used less water, so homeowners ended up flushing multiple times to wash away waste.

They actually ended up using more water than before. New models of the low flush toilets have improved designs so that they function effectively with less water.

The pipes in the new models are smaller, which increases the water pressure. Also, the flush valves are larger to take advantage of gravity when eliminating waste. Together, these features effectively flush waste out of your home and into your local wastewater treatment plant.

Old toilets use up to 7 gallons of water in each flush, but the low flush versions use just 1.6 gallons. In only one month, your water bill will be dramatically lower. You’ll recoup the cost of the low flush toilet in no time, especially if you have a large family.

Fix and Upgrade Shower Faucets

Between toilets and showers, our bathroom plumbing is the greatest water consumer in our home. Once you’ve upgraded your toilet, it’s time to address that leaky shower head.

Although a few drops each minute doesn’t seem like a lot, it adds up to a shocking amount of water in a few days. If you ignore a leak for a few months, you’ll end up costing yourself quite a bit of money!

When you purchase a new shower head, choose a water-efficient fixture. A slight reduction in water output likely won’t affect your shower at all, but you’ll see it on your water bill right away. The larger your family is, the more you’ll notice the savings.

If you don’t need to upgrade your showerhead, you can still save a lot of money by taking shorter showers. If your family of five reduced their showers by just one minute each, you could save hundreds of gallons of water each month. That’s something that your wallet and Mother Nature will notice!

Replace Leaky Pipes

We’ve established that ignoring leaks can cost you, but what if you have leaks deep inside your pipes that you don’t even notice? If you want to see if you have hidden leaks, check your water meter before and after work.

If there’s a difference in the numbers, there’s a chance you have a leak somewhere. It’s best to hire a professional to help you find the leak and replace any faulty pipes. Toilet flappers are another secret hiding place for leaks.

To test your toilet’s efficiency, put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. Check the bowl after about fifteen minutes. If the water in the bowl is colored, you have a leak, which might be a signal that it’s time to upgrade to a low flush toilet.

Small Changes Can Have a Big Impact

Choosing to do just one thing from our list will have a noticeable effect on your water bill each month. You don’t even have to spend any money to save money, although if you can afford to overhaul your bathroom plumbing, you’ll save even more money in the long run.

Our planet benefits from even the smallest efforts, so it’s worth your time to try to reduce your water use. If you suspect that you may have a hidden water leak, or you’d just like to speak with us about how you can conserve water, schedule an appointment today.