Water is something that we often take for granted; however, an area’s water usage can have an impact both on homeowner’s utility bills and the environment. In fact, by making efforts to reduce water waste in your home, you will not only reduce your monthly water bills but also help prevent water pollution in area lakes, rivers, and watersheds.
Reducing Water Waste at Home
Water conservation doesn’t have to be hard. With the expert tips below, you can be on your way to reducing water waste, saving money on your utilities, and doing your part to help the environment:
- Fix your leaks.
Do you have a leaky faucet you’ve been meaning to take care of? Maybe your shower has been dripping, but you just haven’t had the time to investigate. Leaks in your plumbing can cause a significant amount of water waste over time. This not only impacts the environment, but can also start to take a toll on your wallet after a while.If you don’t have any visible leaks but have noticed a jump in your recent water bill, there are a few ways that you can check for leaks in your home. Put a couple of drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If you start to see the color appear in the bowl within a half hour, this can indicate a leak. Another way to determine if you have a leak is to read your house water meter before and after a one- to three-hour period when no water is used. If you see a change in the meter reading, this could mean that you have a leak.
If you suspect that you have a leak in your plumbing, contact us right away. If you don’t take care of the leak right away, the wasted water will quickly add up.
- Take shorter showers.
Though this may seem like a fairly obvious tip, taking shorter showers can really help your household cut down on water waste. According to the Alliance for Water Efficiency, the shower is the third biggest water waster in the average home, just after toilets and clothes washers. In fact, the average American shower lasts for about 8 minutes, using up about 17 gallons of water per shower.Taking shorter showers is a free and easy way to reduce water waste and save more money on your water bills. Try keeping your shower down to around 5 minutes. If you find that your shower takes a long time to heat up, you can use a bucket to collect the cold water and use it for cleaning or watering the plants. - Choose efficient fixtures.
Another way to reduce water waste is by installing water efficient fixtures such as low-flow shower heads. These fixtures help you save water over time by using less water. Typically, a low-flow system means that it uses less than 2.5 gallons per minute. While your standard plumbing fixtures can use up to ten gallons for every minute it’s in use.Though you’ll certainly want to call a plumber if you are installing a new, water efficient toilet, a water-saving shower head or low-flow faucet aerator can be easy to install yourself. They are also a very affordable solution for helping your family save more water on a daily basis.
Got a Plumbing Problem?
If you notice that your water bill has suddenly spiked, it could be a problem with a leak in your plumbing. Not only do leaky pipes waste water, but they can also cause your utility bill to skyrocket. If you think that you may be experiencing a leak, it’s time to call in the experts at McLay Services. Contact us today: (909) 392-2202.
