Bathroom
Switch to a Low-Flow Shower Head
Low-flow shower heads use 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm); older models use as much as 5.5 gpm. Make the switch and you will reduce your water bill by 25-60% (US Department of Energy).
Take Shorter Showers
Aim for a five-minute shower. With a low-flow shower head you’ll use 12.5 gallons of water or less. Compare that to 37.5 gallons for a 15-minute shower, and the savings are easy to see.
Shower Instead of Taking Baths
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it takes 35 gallons of water to fill the average bathtub. Switch to a five-minute shower with a low-flow shower head, and you’ll save 22.5 gallons each time you scrub up!
Repair Faucet Leaks
A leaky faucet can waste 1000-2000 gallons of water a year Install a faucet aerator.
It screws onto the bottom of your faucet to reduce water flow, without reducing water pressure. Note: If you have a newer faucet, it may already have one built-in.
Turn the Water Off While You Brush/Shave
Less flow time equals less water used.
Check Toilets for Leaks
According the National Sanitation Foundation, a leaky toilet can waste as much as 500 gallons of water each day! Place a dye tablet (free at home improvement stores) in the toilet tank, and watch to see if the dye seeps into the bowl. If it does, you have a leak that needs to be addressed.
Replace Your Toilet Flapper Once a Year
Toilet flappers break down quickly, and should be replaced once a year. A couple of dollars spent on a replacement flapper will save you much more on your water bill.
Switch to a Low-Flow Toilet
When it’s time to replace your toilet, replace it with a low-flow model that uses 1.6 gallons per flush, compared to a traditional toilet, which use 3.6 gallons.
Kitchen
Use Your Dishwasher
Contrary to popular belief, it takes more water to hand-wash dishes than it takes to wash then in dishwater.
Don’t Pre-Rinse Dishes
Scrape food from plates, and let your dishwasher do the rest.
Final Thoughts
Potential Leaks
As a resident, it is very important to investigate your property once you notice an increase your utility bill. Please note that any leaks or changes made at the resident can contribute to increase in your water usage and will reflect any future bill. A dripping faucet and/or leaking toilet are not always obvious but sometimes it is hard to tell that faucet or toilet leaking, especially if it doesn’t make a sound. It is good to replace washers in faucets or flaps in toilets every few years, especially for older places. Please contact a certified plumber to repair it to avoid any potential damage.
