While the average water bill for households in the United States can vary wildly, the typical water bill for a family of four starts around $70 per month and can go as high as $200 or more per month for some households. That can add up to a lot of money annually that could be used for other things. And in some cases, making easy money-saving adjustments to your lifestyle and home will help reduce the amount of water being used and lead to monthly savings overall. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average family can use as much as 300 gallons of water per day. That’s a lot of water! Drain Doctor, a plumber in West Covina, CA, and beyond has several helpful tips on how to cut back your water usage and reduce water bills in the process. 

Don’t Let Faucets Run

If you let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving, you can waste as much as 4 gallons of water per person. However, modifying those brushing and shaving habits can reduce the amount of water you use and lead to notable savings.

Install a Dual-Flush Toilet 

A dual-flush toilet allows you to select the amount of water used when the toilet is flushed. One option on the toilet tank uses less water and is designed to flush liquid waste. The other, which uses more water, is designed for solid waste. This innovative type of toilet can save as much as 13,000 gallons of water per family in a year and help reduce water bills.

Load Up the Dishwasher and Washing Machine

When the time comes to do laundry or wash dishes, make sure your washing machine or dishwasher is full before running them. An older washing machine that doesn’t allow you to choose the load size can use an average of about 41 gallons of water per load. If your washing machine does let you choose the load size, use those features to save water

Additionally, newer washing machines are designed with high efficiency in mind. They will determine the amount of water to use by the weight of the laundry and use an average of 28 gallons of water per load, saving a significant amount of water per year and helping you reduce water bills

Modern dishwashers use a little over 4 gallons of water per cycle. They will use this much water whether the dishwasher is full or loaded with only a few dishes. So be sure to run full loads to save water

Find and Fix Leaks or Drips

The amount of water wasted by leaks in plumbing can vary depending on the size of the leak. But, on average, a leak can waste over 150 gallons of water weekly. This includes not just plumbing leaks in your basement but also leaking faucets. Not only does this impact your water bill, but hidden leaks can also damage your property and cause mold growth requiring repairs and remediation that further add to your expenses. 

This applies to toilets that won’t stop running, too. If you have a flapper issue or another type of problem causing your toilet to run all day, that can waste as much as 6 gallons of water per minute. Be sure to have running toilets fixed right away. 

One way to know if you may have a water leak is to record your water meter reading at night after you’ve stopped using water for the day. Then, in the morning, before using any water, recheck the water meter reading. If it has changed, you may have a leak somewhere in your house. It’s a good idea to have your plumbing inspected by a licensed professional, like Drain Doctor, to ensure any leaks throughout your system are found and addressed quickly.

Replace Old and Inefficient Fixtures

Many newer faucets and shower heads are designed specifically to save water. As a result, they can reduce your water usage by as much as 45% compared to older faucets. In many cases, the savings over time on your water bill will justify the expense of updating your fixtures. 

Take a Shower Instead of a Bath

Generally, shorter showers with an efficient, low-flow shower head use about 2.5 gallons of water per minute versus baths using between 20 and 50 gallons, depending on how much you fill the tub. So a quick shower will use far less water than a bath. However, some factors could make a bath more efficient, including the time it takes you to shower and the type of shower head used. For example, if you spend 15 minutes in a shower, even with an efficient shower head, you will likely use as much water as a bath. 

Let Us Help You Save Water

If you want to reduce your water bill, contact us today to discuss the best ways to achieve that goal specific to your home and needs. Drain Doctor Plumbing & Rooter Service has been providing San Dimas plumbing services since 1996. Our expert technicians can identify and repair any leaks or drips in your plumbing system and install fixtures that are water efficient, such as shower heads, faucets, and toilets, which can reduce your water usage and significantly impact your utility bills. 

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