How To Reduce Residential Water Usage And Costs

May 18, 2023

If you’ve noticed your water usage and costs steadily increasing, month after month, then here are a few ways you can cut down.

1. Install low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads

While we don’t keep track of how many times we flush the toilet, turn on the faucet, or take a shower in a day or week, we can lower water usage by installing low-flow plumbing fixtures. A low-flow toilet uses less than 1.6 gallons of water per flush, while a low-flow showerhead should use less than 2.5 gallons per minute.

2. Reduce daily irrigation

It should go without saying that your sprinkler system shouldn’t be watering the sidewalk or driveway. To maximize the efficiency of daily irrigation, water early in the morning to prevent midday evaporation. Also consider using soaker hoses or other methods that water the lawn directly, instead of spraying the air and limiting the amount of water that is actually absorbed by the lawn due to evaporation.

3. Drive to the car wash

You may think washing the car yourself will save you money, but the fact is, a home car wash uses up to 100 gallons of water, while a self-serve car wash uses about 11 gallons. The high pressure hoses at a car wash facility are designed to effectively clean a vehicle without wasting water.

4. Install a shower timer

If you find yourself daydreaming in the shower, consider setting a timer to limit how much water is used by automatically shutting off the water. A shower timer is an actual device that monitors how much water is used.

5. Use the dishwasher

Did you know that an ENERGY STAR dishwasher can save 5,000 gallons of water and 230 hours of time every year? This luxury of modern life  is justifiable with measurable savings.

6. Change daily habits

There are things everyone can do to limit water consumption. A few simple habits that can help reduce water usage include:

• Turning off the tap while brushing teeth
• Showering instead of bathing
• Using leftover pasta water to feed plants
• Washing produce in a bowl filled with water

7. Schedule a professional inspection

A professional plumbing inspection can help identify inefficiencies in the system and prevent water waste. Contact the plumbing team at Yes! to schedule a professional plumbing inspection by calling 844-216-9300 today!