Ways to Save on Your Water Bill
Monthly bills can get so overwhelming, from cable Internet and the mortgage to school tuition and electricity. One thing that most people don't want to have to worry about is water. However, water bills can easily get out of hand if you do not think about it and use water carelessly. Thankfully, several easy tips can help you on your quest to conserving both water and money.
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Leaks
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Fix any leaks around your house. Leaks that trickle water all day long, seven days a week can seriously add up and put a dent in your bill. Leaks can occur anywhere, from pipes and shower faucets to toilets. If you want to find any hidden leaks throughout the house, check your residence's water meter for any differences during a time when no water has been used for several hours.
Unnecessary Flushing
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Many people use the toilet as another trashcan, and flush everything from cigarettes to tiny pieces of paper. Although the action might seem small and harmless, it could end up wasting gallons of water. Always take the time to walk to your trashcan instead of wasting precious water.
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Conserve Your Laundry
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Doing a lot of laundry is another situation in which it is really easy for the water bill to skyrocket. Conserving laundry is particularly beneficial in the summer. For example, if you have a choice between wearing a long- or short-sleeved shirt, wear the short-sleeved shirt, as it involves washing less fabric and therefore reduces the amount of water your machine uses. You can also save by hand washing your clothes, as that uses significantly less water, as well.
Showering
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Be smart when you shower. Don't leave the water running in the shower unless you are directly under the shower head. When you are lathering with soap, turn the water off. Turn it back on again when you need to rinse shampoo out of your hair. Another idea to consider is using showers with low-flow shower heads, which can help dramatically decrease water flow.
Dishwasher
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Try to avoid washing dishes until you can completely fill up your dishwasher. Your water bill can be reduced greatly by only running the dishwasher once a week (and filling it up with a lot of dishes) rather than washing small loads every single day.
Gym
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If you have a membership with a local fitness club, consider showering at the gym directly after your workout instead of waiting until you come home. This can lower your water bill in a major way if you do so several times a week.
Car Washing
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When washing your car, consider using water from a bucket instead of a hose. It is very hard to keep track of water gushing out of a hose, and therefore could lead to a lot of water going to waste.
Heating Water
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Waiting for faucet water to become piping hot can cause a lot of cold water to go to waste. Instead of wasting the unnecessary cold water, heat your water either in your microwave oven or on the stove.
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References
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