If you’re a Phoenix-area homeowner and are looking to reduce your water bill, we have good news! Decreasing water usage can be a matter of making some simple changes to your home and changing some long-held habits. The plumbing professionals at ACE Home Services have put together this guide to help you save water and save money at the same time.
Change Your Water Usage Habits
We often don’t think about the way we use water around the home. It’s so readily available and easy to access, we forget that it’s also easy to waste water in our day to day lives. Making a few minor changes can go a long way toward reducing your water bill while conserving this precious resource.
Run full loads of laundry and dishes
Washing a few t-shirts and pairs of sock in your washing machine not only wastes waster, but it also puts unnecessary wear and tear on your machine. Wash only full loads of laundry to reduce the number of times you use your machine and save water at the same time. The same applies to your dishwasher—run it only when it’s full to make the most efficient use of water.
Don’t hand wash dishes
It might seem counterintuitive, but washing dishes by hand actually uses more water. Running a full load of dishes in the dishwasher uses one sixth of the amount of water that hand washing does!
Sometimes you do need to rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher if food is really stuck on. It’s better to put a small amount of water in your sink to rinse off excess food particles than to have the tap constantly running.
Limit shower length
A really easy way to save a lot of water—and to save on your water bill—is to take shorter showers. You can save nearly 4,000 gallons of water per year simply by reducing your shower time by just four minutes. This tip can also help lower your gas or electricity bills because you are reducing the amount of hot water your household uses.
Turn off the tap when brushing or shaving
Up to four gallons can run down the drain if you let the bathroom faucet run while you are brushing your teeth or shaving! Turn the tap off until you’re done brushing, or only turn it on to rinse your razor when shaving.
Water your lawn early or late
Phoenix homeowners know how fast water evaporates during the hottest parts of the day If you have a lawn or garden that needs watering, it’s best to do it in the morning or the evening. This lets your grass and plants soak up the water and saves you money on your water bill.
Store cold water in the fridge
Instead of running the tap and waiting for the water to get cold every time you want a refreshing drink, fill up a pitcher and in your refrigerator. Try a water filtration pitcher for extra clean water.
Home Upgrades to That Save Water and Money
Investing in home upgrades can often work out to long term savings. Repairs or upgrades to your home’s water systems and appliances can save you money on your water bill, essentially paying for themselves.
Fix Leaks
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), leaky pipes, taps, and toilets waste up to 10,000 gallons of water per year. Check for leaks around your home often.
To test for a leaky toilet, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait about ten minutes. If any color appears in the toilet bowl, you have a leak. Fixing the leak can be as simple as replacing a washer or worn toilet valve seal, but it may be something bigger that needs attention from a professional from ACE Home Services.
Finding the source of other plumbing leaks can be more difficult. One way is to check your water meter. If you notice higher than average usage or if your meter detects water use when you know there is none, there is likely a leak somewhere. Call ACE Home Services at 239-420-7996 to have one of our certified Phoenix plumbers check on your system.
Install faucet aerators
A faucet aerator turns a stream of water into a spray, so you use less water without sacrificing water pressure. Aerators are very cost effective, as they’re inexpensive and easy to purchase install.
Replace old appliances
Older washing machines and dishwashers not only use more water, but they also use more energy. Replacing these with Energy Star-certified appliances that meet EPA standards for energy efficiency is a great way to save money on both your water and electric bills. In fact, according to the EPA, switching to an Energy Star-certified dishwasher can cut water use by as much as 65% and energy use by at least 10%. In the case of washing machines, the new high-efficiency (HE) models use 25% less energy and 33% less water than older models.
Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, rebates may be available for these new energy-saving appliances. Learn more about the Inflation Reduction Act here. For information about appliance installations and available local rebates that might be available, call ACE Home Services at 239-420-7996 today.
Install low-flow toilets
If you do not have a water-efficient or “low-flow” toilet, you could be wasting up to 1.3 gallons of water per flush. If your toilet could use an upgrade, a low-flow toilet is a great way to save money on your water bill over time. Contact the plumbing pros at ACE Home Services to see what options are available to you.
Install water-saving shower heads
Older models of shower heads can spit out up to five or more gallons of water per minute. Alternatively, newer models have a flow rate of no more than 2.5 gallons per minute. Replacing your shower head can save you over a hundred gallons of water per shower. That is reflected in your water bill, so the installation pays for itself in only a few months.
If you have never replaced your shower head, of if they are likely inefficient, a low-flow or high-efficiency shower head can be an easy and cost-effective way to save money on your water utility bill.
Call ACE Home Services for Professional Help
If you’re looking for professional advice on how to save money on your water bill, give the plumbing experts at ACE Home Services a call. We can schedule an appointment to inspect your current plumbing set up and repair or replace anything that isn’t operating at top efficiency. Give us a call at 602-517-0122 today!
