Water is a commodity everyone uses daily. How much water you use depends on many factors, such as how much washing, drinking, cleaning, or flushing you do. In the summer, water use increases as the temperature rises. Unfortunately, more water use means a higher water bill. Thankfully, you can take proactive steps around your house to save on water use. That translates to a summer of saving money.
Water Lawns and Gardens at Dusk or Dawn
Water does not last long in the hot Tucson sun. It evaporates fast when the sun is high. That is why you want to water your lawns and gardens at dusk or dawn to avoid the sun at full force. That allows the soil to absorb the water completely. It also reduces the need for constant rewatering.
If you have sprinklers, you want to ensure they water your lawns and gardens, not your sidewalks and driveways. You should also rethink what type of lawn and plants you grow. It will help replace a full lawn with drought-tolerant options requiring less water.
You can introduce some hardscape elements, such as gravel sections with succulent plants. That will reduce the square footage that you have to keep watered. Additionally, think about adding a layer of mulch to your trees or plants in the garden. That mulch layer helps hold the moisture, contributing to less frequent watering.
Cut Back on Shower Time
Have you ever run a stopwatch during your shower time? The average person runs a shower for around eight minutes. At around 2 gallons of water per minute, that usage comes up to 16 gallons per shower per person in your house. If you manage to shave off two minutes of your shower time, you can save over 1,700 gallons of water a year for each household member. That will have a major impact on your water bill.
Place a bucket of water in the tub while the shower warms up. That water can be used for watering your plants, which is more saving. You can also install a water-efficient shower head that won’t compromise on pressure but save on water use.
Keep the Pool Covered
Just as the sun evaporates the water on your lawn, it also takes direct aim at the water levels in your swimming pool. When evaporation causes your swimming pool levels to drop, you reach for the hose for a refill. That is why you want to cover your pool when not in use. It will help maintain your ideal water levels and prevent a costly refilling task.
Utilize the Car Wash
There is nothing wrong with wanting to keep your car bright and shiny. However, washing your car at home often means using 100 gallons of water to get the job done. If you utilize a car wash instead, you can save all that water. As for the car wash, it uses around 40 gallons less water per car. That helps reduce your carbon footprint. However, if you prefer the personal touch, then be sure to use a bucket of water for rinsing and soaping up the car instead of running the hose throughout the entire process.
Set Up a Rain Barrel
Rain is a relief from the summer heat. It is also a great source of water. When it rains, take the cover off the pool. You might also set up a rain barrel at the base of your rain gutters. All that collected rainwater is the perfect resource to use in your garden. Just be sure to keep the barrel covered to avoid mosquitoes. Also, remember to turn off your sprinklers when it rains. You don’t need to “double” water your lawn.
Turn of the Faucet
Do you run your faucet while you brush your teeth? That’s two minutes of wasted water. Instead, turn off the faucet when brushing, shaving, or engaging in any other activity where you aren’t actively using that water.
For instance, if you wash dishes by hand, you don’t need to run water. Fill up the sink and use that instead. Also, watch out when you rinse off vegetables or fruit. It’s better to submerge them in a bowl of water instead of running the faucet over them.
Only Run Full Loads
Your dishwasher and washing machine are two major appliances that use a lot of water. While that cannot be avoided, you can maximize the water use by running full loads each time you use those appliances.
Broom Instead of Hose
When it is time to clean your driveway, porch, or patio, consider using a broom instead of a hose. A hose uses a lot of water, and a broom can achieve the same results.
Don’t Use Your Toilet as a Trash Can
With your toilet, every flush matters. That is why you don’t want to use the toilet as a kind of wastebasket. This is especially true with older toilets. Those models use 5 to 7 gallons of water per flush. A new low-flow toilet only uses around 1.5 gallons of water per flush. That is a significant difference.
What if you have an older toilet but don’t want to replace it? Fill a 1-liter bottle with sand or pebbles to weigh it down. Fill the rest with water. Place the bottle in your toilet tank, but be sure to keep it from the flapper. This displacement will reduce the amount of water your tank needs to refill and flush.
Check for Leaks Everywhere
Suppose you consistently use the same amount of water each month but suddenly discover that your water bill has increased. The answer could be a leak somewhere in the plumbing. The obvious culprit is the faucets. Imagine holding a gallon jug of water in each hand. That is how much is being wasted by those drips on a daily basis.
There could also be a leak in the toilet. Put a couple of drops in your toilet tank and wait. If that “color” shows up in your toilet bowl, then you have a leak. There could also be a leak somewhere in your plumbing line. The obvious sign of that is your higher water bill. It could also be water stains in the ceiling or moisture in your crawl space. This situation is where calling in professional plumbing techs will be a big help.
Cal’s Plumbing has been in the plumbing leak detection business for over 70 years. We bring that experience into every service call. That experience helps us quickly discover the source of the leak and put a repair into action. If the water isn’t draining, we can inspect the lines with advanced camera technology and provide solutions for busting the clogs to get the water flowing again.
Along with a complete line of plumbing services, Cal’s Plumbing also provides maintenance support for your water heater and water filtration systems. Whether it’s a constant drip or a more significant plumbing issue, we’ve got you covered. Call Cal’s Plumbing at the first sign of trouble for a rapid repair response.
