Feeling the Pressure? Hassle-Free Ways to Reduce Your Water Bill Right Now

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]re you sending money down the drain every month? Chances are you might be without even realizing it. Water makes up the second largest utility expense for most households in the Ontario, and there are many factors that make your bill higher than it needs to be.

Save on Your Water Bill by Checking Pipes and Appliances

Leaky pipes cost homeowners hundreds of dollars every year, and often more. The best way to save water here is to inspect your plumbing regularly and check faucets for drips to make sure you’re not wasting water without realizing it:

• Fix leaks as soon as you notice them
• Install low-flow shower heads and faucet fixtures or add aerators to these (aerators can improve water efficiency by an average of 30%!)
• Check toilets, fixtures, and appliances regularly for leaks

Appliances are another big culprit when it comes to unnecessary water usage. Older appliances especially have a higher tendency to leak and use more water than needed. The three biggest water wasters are typically toilets, faucets, and dishwasher, but don’t forget to check under-the-radar water appliances like air conditioners, water heaters, sprinkler systems, and refrigerators. It’s worth it to look into upgrading to Energy-Star certified appliances, or at least make sure you’re on top of the required maintenance for all your water-using appliances.

Looking to stop extra spending in your bathroom starts with the toilet —  install a low-flow toilet if you can. These reduce the amount of water used with each flush, saving you money each flush that really adds up. If a new toilet isn’t in the budget, add weights to the toilet tank to achieve similar results.  You can also adopt a more laissez-faire attitude about flushing, if you haven’t already, to help cut down on non-essential water usage.

Another way to reduce your water usage in the bathroom is to place a basin or bucket in the shower.  Then, after your next morning routine, you’ll have water ready for house plants or gardens that would otherwise go to waste.

Saving Water in the Kitchen and Laundry Room

Save on your water bill in the kitchen by using the dishwasher, if you have it. Running a dishwasher with a full load of dishes is more effective and efficient than doing dishes by hand.  If you don’t have a dishwasher, find and keep a good basin or bucket in your sink to catch and reduce the amount of wasted water when hand-washing.

Stay hydrated and save more water by keeping water bottles or a pitcher in the fridge — that way you’re not running the tap, and wasting water, waiting for it to get ice cold before you fill your glass.

You can also consider composting your food waste rather than sending it down the garbage disposal. Not only will this spare your disposal a lot of wear and tear, it also helps prevent the extra water usage disposals need to process peelings and other food products.

In the laundry room, wash clothes on a cold or tap water setting — using hot water for your laundry is usually unnecessary and consumes a lot more energy than tap-temperature water.

Using a few of these simple tips can help you save water — and money — all around your home. And if you’re looking for even more ways to improve your household water efficiency, contact your local Culligan of Ontario for ideas, today!