Cut that Water Bill with These Tips
If your water bill is on the rise, you are probably looking for effective ways to reduce the costs of your water bill and save money. The good news is that there are quite a few things that you can do to conserve water and reduce your water bill.
Below is a list of practical and extreme steps that you can take to cut back on the amount of water you and your family use. These tips may or may not require some lifestyle changes – it really depends on how far you want to take it.
Practical Ideas – quick easy to do
– Don’t run your dishwasher or washing machine unless you have a full load. If you don’t have heaps of dishes, wash them in the sink.
– If you have to wash a smaller load of clothes, be sure to readjust the water level on the washing machine before you turn it on.
– Use mulch in your garden area because the mulch will absorb the water and prevent evaporation.
– Commit to taking shorter showers
– If you own a swimming pool, be sure to use a pool cover to prevent extra evaporation of the water. Research shows that pool owners can lose as much as 200 litres of water per year by not using a pool cover.
– Instead of washing your car at home, head out to the car wash and wash your car there. Studies show that you will save water by going to the car wash versus washing your car at home.
– Remove old taps and faucets with newer water reducing hardware. The newer hardware reduces the water flow while keeping the water pressure strong.
Extreme Ideas – a little bit harder to do
– Use buckets or barrels outside to save rainwater, so you can use it to water your flowers. You can also use the water from your sub pump or your dishwater.
– Go through your entire home and check all of the faucets for possible leaks. You can also check for leaks by looking at your water meter before you go to bed and then check it again in the morning – look for any bi fluctuations in the meter, it should be minimal when sleeping through the night.
– When you are ready to upgrade your washing machine, choose a front loader machine. These machines not only help you save water, but they hold more clothes and will reduce the number of loads of laundry you have to wash each week.
– If you have a family of four or larger, dual flush toilets are a great alternative to single flush toilets and can greatly reduce the amount of water you use to operate your toilet. You can save an estimated $65 by installing one of these toilets.
– If you water your lawn, be sure to put a timer on your sprinkler, so you will not overuse your water.
When these tips are combined together, you can save a lot of money on your water bill. The trick is to be proactive and to reduce the amount of water you use. Consistently checking for leaks throughout your home will also help you save on wasted water that you do not even use. Start taking steps today to conserve water, so you can see a notable reduction on your next water bill.
Image courtesy of cooldesign / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
