As any homeowner in the City of St Cloud, MN knows all too well, bills add up fast. You’ve already got a climbing electric bill, rising prices for cable and internet, expensive heating and A/C bills, insurance coverage, and now your water bill seems to be through the roof. So, what can you do? One of the easiest ways to save money around your home is by learning how to conserve water. Making slight adjustments to your household’s water usage can translate to a significant reduction on yocleur average monthly water bill. It may seem like a hassle to use less, but with these three simple tips you can cut down your water bill painlessly.
1. Replace Old Appliances And Faucets
Is the receipt from your washing machine dated during the era of teen boy bands, the beanie baby craze, and the Clinton Administration? Just like your family’s gas-guzzling, 20-year-old pickup truck, it may be time to say goodbye even if it still seems to work. Front-loading washing machines use much less water than the top-loading type that was formerly the only option available. Old appliances were not built with water conservation in mind, which means that they use substantially more water than the models made today.
2. Install Appliances With WaterSense And Energy Star Seals
Modern water-saving technology can ensure that your dishwasher and washing machine are not overusing water. The WaterSense and Energy Star seals on many new appliances specify that the appliance uses 35-50% less water per cycle, and 50% less energy, which saves money not only on your water bill but on your electric bill too. It’s always tough to shell out the cash for a brand-new dishwasher, but in the long run your wallet and the environment will thank you.
3. Install WaterSense Certified Faucets
The same conservation principle goes for old faucets and showerheads. New models are on the market that reduce flow without lowering water pressure. Installing an aerator has the same effect and can help you conserve water and lower energy bills effortlessly.
4. Turn The Water Down
This may seem obvious, but most of us leave the water running when we aren’t really using it at some point or another. Ever let the water run while you brush your teeth or wash the dishes? Try turning off the tap until you’re ready to rinse. Is a long, hot shower at the end of a long day your favorite guilty pleasure?
As nice as it is to relax in the hot steam, an average showerhead uses a whopping 2.1 gallons of water per minute. If you do the math, that adds up to 42 GALLONS of water in just one 20-minute-long shower. Water saving showerheads can cut the wastage nearly in half, but it’s still a good idea to try to keep showers length to a minimum. If you shower daily, try to keep your shower time under 15 minutes. Also take into consideration the shower activities that don’t really require running the tap.
Shaving? Turn it down to a trickle. Washing your hair? Consider turning off the water in between rinses. Brushing your teeth? Save that for the sink.
5. Run Full Dishwasher And Laundry Loads
The last but possibly the easiest way to save on water is to wait until your dishwasher is full before running it. Running a full dishwasher saves water considerably compared to washing dishes by hand, but you lose out on those water-conserving benefits if you run the dishwasher only half-full. Be sure to load the dishwasher properly. When the dishwasher is loaded to full-capacity before each cycle, the time between washes goes up and the frequency of use goes down. What does that mean for you? Less washes equals less water wasted and more money in your pocket. Similarly, it’s much better for your water bill to avoid doing laundry until you have enough for a full load.
The Bottom Line
It would be great if we could all rip up our mortgage statements, pass on our car payments and toss our cable bills in the blender. Sadly, unless we collectively flee the country and abandon our responsibilities that probably isn’t the best idea. While most of our bills we’re stuck with, a few small adjustments to our daily water usage can drastically cut down costs. Reducing shower length and turning off the tap are great ways to save but investing in water-saving appliances and fixing any leaks is a key step as well. Whether you decide to install a new dishwasher or just fix that dripping faucet, the St Cloud Plumbers at Neighborhood Plumbing can give you reliable advice and expert service to make the process simple and stress-free