A few easy upgrades and quick changes can help you save big. During the summer you know to expect much higher water bills, thanks to increased outdoor water usage, which accounts for 50 to 70 percent of a household’s consumption. The fact is old indoor fixtures and forgetful ways can also make your water bill double-or worse. To save both inside and out, try these ideas.
Shower in Savings
Since 1992 legislation, all new showerheads must have a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute or lower. If a house still has the older 5.5-GPM-or-higher variety, simply upgrading can save a family of four up to $45 per month in water and heating costs. Some worry that low flow means a measly stream, but I have a solution! Here is my favorite showerhead based on flow rate and shampoo rinse time, the 2.0-GPM Waterpik EcoFlow ($25).
Don’t Flush Your Cash
Toilets are the top source of indoor water use for a home. In the 1992 law, they were mandated to a max of 1.6 gallons per flush. Older ones can use from 3.5 to 7.0 GPF-real water wasters! Early low-flow toilet often eweren’t efficient; some required two or more flushes, defeating the purpose. The best toilet for the job? Gerber Ultra Dual-Flush ($367), based on clog tests involving toilet paper, tissues, sponges, and golf balls, and verified water usage. A new energy-efficient toilet can save a household $90 a year in water costs.
Be Sprinkler Savvy
For every half hour that your hose runs, an astounding 240 to 300 gallons of water, enough for almost two weeks’ worth of showers, flows into the ground. For responsible lawn and garden watering, use a water timer on outdoor spigots: basic egg timer styles ($15) simply turn off the hose after a set time so water’s not wasted if you forget to turn it off. More expensive digital ones ($35 and up) can be programmed to start and stop on a schedule. My recommendation is the Melnor AquaSentry With AquaTimer ($60), a three-part system that checks soil moisture before signaling the timer to trigger the water flow.
Other Ways to Save
- Fix dripping faucets: A drop per second wastes 192 gallons per month!
- Check for toilet leaks: Open the tank and drop in enough food coloring so the water tints. If color slowly appears in the bowl, there’s a leak.
- Add aerators: Most kitchen and bath faucets can be fitted with an aerator, which screws into the faucet opening and mixes air into the water stream for less water output while still maintaining adequate and steady pressure.
- Water your yard wisely: Be sure sprinklers are placed so you’re not also watering pavement. It’s best to water early in the morning to minimize evaporation and allow plants to absorb moisture before the day heats up.
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Roshawn @ Watson Inc
09.23.08 at 9:59 am
This is a great list of tips slash a water bill. Although I knew that one source of wasted water for me was leaky faucets, I am going to evaluate my other water usage. Even if I do not save much money, at least I won’t be wastful.
Roshawn @ Watson Incs last blog post..Man Loses $6 Million Overnight
rtc
09.23.08 at 9:34 pm
I’ve been meaning to change my shower heads to reduce water usage. Thanks for the recommendation–it’s the push I need. Now it’s on my list to do in October.
Anna
09.23.08 at 9:53 pm
Good for you rtc!
Roshawn~I agree, even if you don’t save $$, at least you’re helping to conserve water and live more green!
Greg
09.26.08 at 2:04 pm
with regards to adding aerators to your faucets try to keep in mind there are various types of water saving aerators. Typical aerators have a flow of 2.2 or higher gallons per minute. There are however low flow aerators all the way down to .5 gallons per minute that can help you save significantly and conserve water.
Anna
09.26.08 at 6:02 pm
Thanks Greg, that’s great information!