Easy Ways to Save on Water Bills This Summer

How to Spend Less on Water During the Summer Months

During the summertime, utility bills tend to be higher for California homeowners. Between all the water use and running the AC all day, it’s just the price of getting through the dry, hot summers. But many homeowners spend much more than they need to – particularly on their water bills. 

Things like leaks, outdated fixtures, and poor usage habits can add up to high water costs, so it’s worth it for homeowners to do everything they can to conserve water. This article will share some of the easiest ways to reduce water usage at home!

Install Water-Saving Devices & Fixtures

shower

Installing water-saving devices is a great way to save money on the monthly water bill. Faucet aerators are small devices installed on the end of faucets that control water flow by infusing air into the water to conserve water while preserving the water pressure. In many cases, it may be necessary to remove older fixtures entirely and put new water-saving fixtures in their place to save water. Low-flow showerheads are great options that use less water than standard showerheads while still providing strong water pressure.

Similarly, water-saving toilets can save significantly on water and water bills since they use less than 1.28 gallons per flush, compared to the 1.6 gallons used by standard toilets when the EPA mandated in 1994 that new toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush. However, if a toilet is older than the EPA’s mandate, it could be wasting a lot of water and money and should be upgraded. Since toilets are the primary source of water usage in the typical home, this upgrade will pay for itself!

Water the Lawn More Strategically

lawn

Another way homeowners can save water during the summer is to adopt a more efficient watering schedule for their lawns and gardens. This partly means watering less frequently (twice or three times a week for lawns is usually sufficient). But the time of day also matters. 

Generally, it’s best to water the lawn early in the morning before the sun comes up. This will help ensure the yard can absorb as much water as possible before it evaporates in the day's heat. It’s also better than watering the lawn in the evening, as this can leave the grass dry in the hottest parts of the day. And even though most of California doesn’t get much rain, when storms do roll in, it’s best to turn off the irrigation system and let nature do the watering!

Other Ways to Cut Down on Water Waste

Homeowners can do plenty of other little things to reduce their water usage. Making sure to turn off the tap when brushing teeth, shaving, or scrubbing dishes is one that most homeowners know to do already. But taking shorter showers is a water-saving tactic that often goes overlooked, even though it can save hundreds of gallons weekly.

Homeowners can also run the dishwasher only when it’s full, do larger loads of laundry (to cut down on frequency), and wash cars using a bucket of water rather than under running water with a hose. While waiting for the water to warm up, homeowners can save it in buckets or watering cans to water plants or use it for other applications instead of letting the colder water run down the drain. 

These are just a few examples, and although they may seem like small changes on their own when practiced regularly and combined with other water-saving tips, they can dramatically reduce the water bill each month and help conserve water throughout the summer!

About 2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling

2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling is a veteran-owned company serving the Rancho Cordova and Sacramento area since 1981. They provide same-day service, financing, and thoroughly screened plumbers. Call them today for kitchen and bathroom plumbing services in Rancho Cordova, CA.

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