There are a couple of good reasons to learn a few tips on how to lower your water bill. The first reason is the most obvious: These tips can save you money! Rather than flushing coin down the plughole (metaphorically speaking, that is), you can use that money for other things, such as movie-and-pizza nights (with extra cheese) every Friday.
The second reason that it’s good to learn how to lower your water bill: A lower bill means you’ve used less water, and using less water is better for all of us. Water is a precious resource, and it’s always wise to treat it as such. Wasted water is more than just wasted money; it’s quite literally a drain on our shared environment.
Give Meticulous Plumbing a call today if you have any questions or concerns about your plumbing system. We are a full-service plumbing company in Portland, and we’re happy to chat. We look forward to working with you!
And now, on with the show.
How to Lowering Your Water Bill
Use less water.
This may sound snarky, but it’s actually a not-always-obvious and yet fundamental part of lowering your water bill. The two things go hand in hand; less water use means a lower bill, naturally.
How often do you leave the water running while you’re brushing your teeth? How many times have you been washing dishes and let the water continue running for the length and duration of the chore? How long are your showers?
Over time, small changes in behavior can add up to big water bill savings. Turn off the water while you’re brushing, and don’t let the water run for any longer than you need to rinse off your soapy dishes.
“On average, about two gallons of water flow from a faucet each minute,” according to the San Diego County Water Authority. “Something as simple as turning off the water while brushing your teeth can save up to three or four gallons of water per person per day. That’s more than 1,000 gallons of water per year or enough for almost 100 four-minute showers.”
The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that washing dishes by hand can use up to 27 gallons of water. Like to soak in the tub? The USGS estimates that a full tub (sizes vary, of course) amounts to about 36 gallons of water.
When you think about it, it’s amazing how many gallons per minute one uses while doing basic chores. Water usage also includes drinking water, but at least that’s for a good cause and isn’t just wasted down the drain.
Install Water-Saving Plumbing Fixtures.
There are loads of these on the market. When properly installed — now’s the time to call Meticulous Plumbing! — they can save hundreds and hundreds of gallons of water each year. This will have a huge impact on your water bill, while it also reduces the amount of water needed to get the job done.
For example, there are eco-friendly and water-saving showerheads, sometimes known as low-flow showerheads or rainheads, that reduce the consumption of water. Similarly, restricted-flow faucets can help reduce water use in your sinks. Look for products such as aerators or flow restrictors and add them to your home’s faucets.
Bonus: Low-flow faucets and showerheads also reduce the need for hot water, helping you save on energy costs, as well! Of course, you can also take shorter showers or use cool water or warm water instead of blazing hot water in your showers. (This might take some getting used to.)
Finally, low-flow toilets get the job done with less water. If your toilet is more than 25 years old, chances are it’s wasting water.
“Most new toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush, but many older toilets used about 4 gallons,” says the USGS.
Install a new low-flow toilet to reverse this water-wasting trend and become more water-efficient.
There are even dual-flush toilets, which you may have seen in public bathrooms, such as those in airports. They utilize a lower-flush mechanism for liquid waste and a higher-flush mechanism for solid waste.
Remember, some utility companies incentivize the installation of these water-saving products. Be sure to check with your local water or utility provider to ask about rebates and other incentives.
Use Eco-Friendly Appliances.
Modern appliances are eco- and enviro-friendly. Dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines have water-saving features built into their designs. If you’re in the position to purchase one, the upfront costs of these new appliances will be offset by savings on your water bill over the long run.
According to the USGS, newer clothes washers use 25 gallons per load, while “older models might use about 40 gallons per load.” If you have a big family and have to do lots of laundry, the water savings become obvious quickly.
Look for the Energy Star logo when buying new appliances. You’ll save on both your water bill and your utility bill.
Meticulous Plumbing has one final tip: Have one of our expert plumbers in Portland examine your pipes for leaks and drips. Over time, even the tiniest leak can cause untold damage to your home — not to mention causing a gradual increase in the amount of your water bill.
Get in touch today!
In the meantime, what other tips do you have for lowering your water bill?
