Best Ways to Spend Less On Water for More Summer Fun
Homeowners feel the pinch as prices skyrocket, including their water bills. With increasing fuel costs, many choose to forego the beach and stay home. Being homebound means more gardening, yard work, and washing cars at home, which could mean a higher water bill. For homeowners hoping to save wherever they can, these tips can help cut the cost of water this summer.
Lower Use with Water-Saving Devices
One sure way to spend less on the water is to use less water. Several devices can help reduce water usage. Washing machines over 5 years old are likely to use more water than updated high-efficiency models. In the shower, homeowners can install a low-flow showerhead, automatic shut-off nozzle, and a shower timer that automatically shuts off the water when the set time expires.
Also, the toilet can use vast amounts of clean, precious water to flush away waste in the bathroom. Displacing the amount of water in the tank with a brick, water-filled bottle, or tank bag reduces each flush's amount.
Useful on the toilet and in the garden, a gray water diverter recycles used water and uses it for toilet flushing and watering garden plants. If the park is on a sprinkler system set on a timer, a rainfall shut-off device not only saves water, it shuts the system off when rain has fallen, so plants don't end up overwatered and soggy.
Updated faucets and dual-flush toilets are additional devices homeowners can install to reduce water use and lessen the water bill sticker shock.
Strategic Lawn Watering Tactics
Many townships and villages now restrict when outside water can be used. There are varying opinions on morning watering vs. evening. Most gardening advocates favor morning as any water falling on leaves has time to be absorbed by the plant, eliminating potential mildew problems. As far as water conservation goes, with cooler morning temperatures, this time also works to keep more water in the plants and ground and less evaporating into the air.
In humid regions and some coastal areas, homeowners can further reduce water bill strain by taking advantage of rainy weather patterns and allowing Mother Nature to water the lawn. The aforementioned rainfall shut-off device can keep automated sprinkler systems from kicking in. If allowed in the area, rainwater collection systems can be an alternate water source for tending gardens and lawns.
A Splash of Advice on Limiting Water Usage
Regular everyday tasks can use a significant amount of water. Simple awareness can cut back water usage and costs without installing a single device. For example, filling a bowl with soapy water to wash pots and pans or produce and only turning on the faucet to rinse can keep gallons from going down the drain. Additional measures include only running the dishwasher when the load is full and making sure to only run full laundry loads, along with selecting the correct load size. Homeowners can also shut off the water while shaving and brushing teeth, only using it to rinse as needed.
Taking shorter showers, installing water-conserving devices, and letting Mother Nature water the lawn are just a few ways homeowners can reduce water usage and lessen the water bill's impact on their wallets.
About Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service
In Evansville, IN, Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service provides honest, upfront pricing and full-service solutions to even the most challenging plumbing needs. Trusted since 1920, their customer's safety and comfort are their top priority. Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service professionals offer fast service and complete customer satisfaction and will never leave a mess behind. Call them today for all plumbing service and repair needs in Evansville, IN.
