How To Spend Less On Water Usage This Summer
Summer is a time for barbecues and ball games, iced tea, homemade lemonade, fun in the sun, and firefly-gazing in the evening. But what is summer decidedly not a time for? Stressing about the utility bills, of course! Unfortunately, many homeowners find themselves doing just that and are desperate for ways to cut costs.
The good news is that homeowners can significantly bring down their monthly utility bills simply by reducing water usage - and it’s easier than most people think. Keep reading to learn three surefire ways to save money on water and reduce waste all summer!
Install Water-Saving Fixtures
One of the most powerful ways to reduce water usage is to replace old water-guzzling plumbing fixtures with new water-saving models. For instance, many older toilets use as much as 6 gallons of water per flush, while most new water-saving toilets only use 1.28 gallons per flush on average.
But toilets aren’t the only fixtures that may need an upgrade. Older faucets and showerheads also tend to have high flow rates - some using as much as 5 gallons per minute! The modern showerhead standard is 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm), but a typical low-flow showerhead uses only 2.0 gpm.
Doing away with standard or outdated fixtures in favor of these water-saving devices can save homeowners thousands of gallons of water every year, which can amount to hundreds of dollars annually!
Water the Lawn at Strategic Times
After investing in a few water-saving plumbing upgrades, homeowners can look to their irrigation systems for further savings. In the summer heat, lawns, gardens, and other plant life in the yard tend to require more water. Ironically, much of that water evaporates in the heat rather than being absorbed by the vegetation that needs it. As a result, homeowners often use more and more water to keep their yards healthy, leading to inflated water bills.
Fortunately, the solution is simple. Instead of using more water, homeowners can water their yards early in the morning, preferably before the sun. This will allow the soil and plants to absorb more water before it has a chance to evaporate.
To further reduce needless water wasted, homeowners should be sure to turn off their watering systems during rainy periods. As Chicago residents know, summer showers can pop up at a moment’s notice - and leave just as quickly - so it’s best to take advantage of them when they’re around.
Get Creative With Limiting Water Usage
Watering the lawn only at the correct times can go a long way in lowering the water bill, but this is just one of the many water-saving habits homeowners can use to cut costs. Most people know to turn off the faucet when brushing teeth or shaving, but small children may need a reminder. Similarly, it’s also better to rinse vegetables in a bowl or basin full of clean water rather than under running water.
If possible, it’s best to wash dishes in the dishwasher instead of hand-washing them, but for maximum efficiency, the dishwasher should only be run when it’s complete. Likewise, doing larger loads of laundry less frequently uses less water than doing lots of smaller loads (even with a high-efficiency laundry machine). It’s also a good idea to find and repair any plumbing leaks as soon as possible, as these can be one of the most significant sources of water waste in any home.
These are just a few examples of ways to cut back on water usage - there are plenty more ways to do it. Homeowners can make a game of water conservation and find creative ways to reduce waste. Then, with these habits in place, all that’s left is to sit back and watch the water bill shrink!
About Captain Rooter Emergency Plumbers Chicago
Captain Rooter Emergency Plumbers have been delivering award-winning service to the Chicago community since 1998. They specialize in providing fast, reliable emergency plumbing services 24/7, so homeowners can get back to their routine ASAP. Their trustworthy licensed technicians always communicate clearly and work with every customer to find the best, most cost-effective solutions to fit their specific needs. Call Captain Rooter today for water-saving plumbing upgrades in Chicago, IL!
