3 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Water Bill This Winter

Winter is when many homeowners see their heating bills spike. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to save money on your water bills – and stop wasting water in the process. The key is figuring out how to reduce your water bill in the most effective manner:

Be More Mindful

In many cases, saving water and money comes down to being more cognizant of your habits. The average American uses approximately 88 gallons of water each day in their home. However, you might be able to get that usage down if you pay closer attention to your own behaviors.

For example: taking a long, luxurious shower might feel great, especially when it’s freezing outside. But it can waste a lot of water.

If your house is full of holiday guests, you’ll need to be especially mindful about the length of your showers. Keep in mind that more energy will be required to heat the water in your home. That means you should use cold water whenever you can to wash your hands, brush your teeth, or wash clothes.

You should also turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth. Also, refrain from washing dishes by hand before you run the dishwasher.

And speaking of dishwashers, only run them when they’re completely full. The same goes for your washing machine. Otherwise, you’ll end up wasting a lot of water and paying for it later. Since the average US household already spends $500 (or more) on their water and sewer bills every year, do you really want to add to that through bad habits?

Check Your Plumbing

Of course, for those looking for ways on how to reduce their water bill, it’s important to realize that water waste can’t be reduced solely by shortening showers or turning off the faucet. If your plumbing is in a state of disrepair, you could be wasting a lot without even realizing it.

A single leaky faucet can waste 100 gallons of water each day. And according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, around 10% of US homes have leaks that waste upwards of 90 gallons of water on a daily basis — the equivalent of five extra showers.

Slow leaks typically build over time, which can cause your bills to rise each month.

Faucets aren’t the only culprit. Your toilet can leak too, which can be a major problem. You can easily test whether your toilet is leaking by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If dye shows up in the toilet bowl after 10 minutes, it’s time to call your plumber. Flushing your toilet already represents around 25% of your water bill, and with all the guests you’ll be entertaining over the holidays, you’ll want to take care of any problems sooner rather than later.

Give Some Eco-Friendly Gifts

More than four out of five renovating homeowners replace major bathroom features like flooring, countertops, showers, and sinks. But if your toilet, sink, or shower head is wasting water or is nearing the end of its lifespan, this is also the perfect opportunity to reduce your water bill by replacing them with something more environmentally friendly.

A low flush toilet can help you waste significantly less water. And a high-efficiency shower head that mixes air with water will reduce water use and improve the overall flow. According to Energy Star, installing a high-efficiency faucet or shower aerator can help you save nearly 3500 gallons of water per year. This makes such upgrades well worth the cost.

Remember, we usually don’t worry about our water bill until the damage has been done and we’re faced with a large balance due. By assessing the state of your plumbing and how your own behaviors may be contributing to water waste, you’ll be able to save money and do your part to save the planet.

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