Monthly utility costs can put a substantial strain on your Glendale, AZ household budget each month. Many homeowners look for ways to decrease their bills, especially their water bills. There are several steps that you can take to decrease your water usage and save money, including routine maintenance, plumbing upgrades, and repairs.
Replace Outdated Appliances
If your appliances, like your washing machine and dishwasher, are many years old, they may be using an excessively large amount of water. Newer models tend to be much more efficient, using minimal water to get things clean. The cost of upgrading may seem high upfront, but the long-term benefits will save you water and reduce your water bill.
If you already have an efficient washing machine, consider the different ways that you can elevate your savings even more. Most washers now have a water-saving feature that will fill the tub up only enough to wash the amount of clothes that are inside. You can choose a deep fill if need be, but this doesn’t have to be a daily occurrence. You can also turn off the second rinse function, which usually isn’t needed unless you’re washing very dirty clothing.
Also, don’t run your washing machine or dishwasher unless you have a full load inside. This wastes water as well as electricity to power these appliances. Less frequent loads can also lengthen the lifespan of your appliances, reducing your need for replacement.
Turn Your Faucet Off
There’s no need to waste water if you’re not using it at the moment. Turning off your faucet while you brush your teeth or clear the kitchen table will reduce your water bill and also help the environment. Think about ways that you can reduce your water consumption altogether. Maybe you can water your plants with rainwater that you’ve collected outside rather than turning on the hose. You might be able to clean an area of your home using a spray bottle and towel rather than running your water for any excessive length of time.
Cut Back on Shower Time
Everyone loves a relaxing shower at the end of a long day, but showers can use a lot of water. Consider limiting your shower time to five minutes before turning off the faucet and getting out. You can also consider investing in a low-flow shower head that reduces the amount of water that you use while showering. There may already be a setting on your shower head that has a much slower flow.
Baths can be very relaxing, but they use a lot of water, especially if you have a large tub. Try to use a quick shower for the most part. You can indulge in a bath every few days.
Repair Existing Leaks
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that households waste approximately 10,000 gallons of water each year from ignoring existing leaks. You may have small leaks that you’re not even aware exist. A professional plumbing inspection can help spot these problems so they can be repaired in a timely manner. In the meantime, check for dripping pipes, water pooling, and running toilets.
Upgrade Your Faucets and Fixtures
There are many different styles and varieties of fixtures and faucets that can reduce your water consumption. Look for the WaterSense label, which indicates that a fixture has been determined to be very efficient. By upgrading just a few of your fixtures, you can save hundreds of dollars each year on your water bill.
Assess How You Wash Dishes
While it’s probably not your favorite chore, you should give some consideration to how you’re washing your dishes after meals. Some people prefer to load everything into the dishwasher. This can be an efficient process if you’re sure that you have an efficient, modern dishwasher. If it’s not, you could be wasting a lot of water. If you like to wash your dishes by hand in your kitchen sink, limit the amount of time that you keep your water running. You can fill up one side of the sink and reuse the same soapy water for washing. Then, use a small amount of fresh water to rinse your dishes.
Avoid rinsing food off your dishes and into your garbage disposal. Not only can this clog your pipes and disposal, but you can waste a lot of water with this method. Instead, scrape food into your garbage can. You can even scrape food scraps into a compost bin in your yard.
Assess Your Outdoor Consumption
There are several things outside that you use water for. This can include watering your grass, running an automatic sprinkler system, or filling up your pool. Consider the different ways you can cut back on your water consumption. As we mentioned, rain barrels can provide you with water for hydrating landscaping and plants. You may want to limit the amount of time that your sprinklers run. Only run them when you are experiencing a drought. Pools should be covered when they’re not in use to reduce evaporation. Water levels will remain consistent without having to constantly add water.
Consider Your Landscaping
When you choose the plants that you want on your property, try to pick ones that are resistant to dry conditions. This prevents having to constantly water your plants, thus reducing your monthly water bills. Focus on Mother Nature instead of pulling out your watering can. If there is rain in the forecast, then it probably isn’t necessary for you to water. You can plan your sprinkler schedule according to the weather as well. Investing in a smart system will provide you with simple control measures.
Toilet Function
Toilets use a great deal of water over the course of the day. They use even more if they are old or malfunctioning. Consider upgrading your toilet to a modern version that has low water flow. You should also have a plumber inspect your toilet to ensure it’s working correctly. If your toilet runs at all when not in use, you could be wasting gallons of water each day. A slight trickle of water through a damaged flapper valve can be quite costly when you add up this additional water usage over many months or years. Most times, toilet repairs are very simple and inexpensive. The money you’ll save on your water bill is worth the time and effort of having maintenance performed.
If you would like to learn more about the various ways that you can reduce your water bill each month, reach out to our team here at Bumble Bee Plumbing. We would be happy to come out to your Glendale home and perform a routine inspection to see if you have any leaks that should be repaired. We can also upgrade some of your fixtures to help you save money with our faucet installation. We also take care of new plumbing installations, emergency repairs, and routine maintenance. We service water heaters, tankless systems, clean drains, service sewer lines, and much more. Contact Bumble Bee Plumbing today to schedule an appointment.
