The first day of spring is a kicking off point for many people to begin outdoor activities such as landscaping, mowing, prepping the garden for planting. Many of the outdoor spring cleaning chores include using more water than in the winter, making this the perfect time to investigate ways to reduce water consumption and thus your water bill. There are many day to day steps that you can take to reduce your home’s water consumption.
Some of these include:
- Load the dishwasher. While it might seem difficult to believe – running a full load of dishes in the dishwasher uses less water than hand washing that same load of dishes.
- Soak shower heads in vinegar to remove build-up and improve water pressure. This makes bathing quicker and more efficient, reducing the amount of time needed to spend in the shower.
- Install water-saving fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom. Don’t run the water when you are brushing your teeth.
- With the hot weather fast approaching, drinking enough water every day is important. Keep a pitcher or jug of water in the refrigerator so that you always have cold water without standing at the sink running the water and waiting for it to get cold.
- Consider a compost pile rather than using the garbage disposal.
- Check fixtures for leaks or drips. Use your water meter to determine if there is a leak somewhere in your plumbing system that is not visible.
- Check around the base of your toilet for pooling water – this could indicate that your toilet is leaking.
Paying attention to your home’s water consumption is good for both reducing your monthly water bill as well as conserving water. While it is best to monitor this all year around, it is especially important to do during the Spring season and before the Summer.
Spring is a time that you might configure the irrigation system for your garden or landscaping, do some home improvements or remodeling, and wash all of the curtains and rugs in your home. All of these require using more water than you did during the winter and if you’re not tuned in – you might really notice this extra use on your monthly water bill.
Don’t hesitate to call us today if you have questions about how you can reduce your monthly water bill or, if you would like information about water-saving fixtures.