Cutting Water Expenses

One of the most used utilities in our house is water. All the showers, laundry, cleaning, and drinking really add up and it shows when the bill comes every month.

So, you ask, how can I easily cut back the expenses on my water bill?  Here are a few easy tips to help you out…

Try to do full loads of laundry.  A typical full load usually uses about 21 gallons of water.  A small load uses 14 gallons.  Several small loads use considerable more water than one or two large loads.  Over the course of a year, this can add up to a savings of about $25-$125/year.

Similarly, run your dishwasher only when you have a full load.  Allow the dishes to air dry instead of using the heat cycle.  Try to place dishes appropriately in the washer so that they get cleaned appropriately.  This will prevent having to re-wash some dishes because they are still dirty. An average dishwasher costs about $60 to $100 per year to run.  By waiting to clean until it is full, you can save from $35-$55/year.

Always try to fix running toilets or leaky faucets promptly.  A continuously running toilet can use more than 8,000 gallons of water a year.  This can generate from $25-$125/year.
Install flow restricting shower heads.  A family of four can save 8,000 to 12,000 gallons of water a year from this simple change.  You will not only save on the cost of water, but also the cost of heating it.

Add fabric softener to your laundry at the appropriate point in the cycle instead of adding a the end and rinsing clothes again, which can use up to 10 extra gallons of water.  Figure out how much time it takes for the washer to reach the rinse cycle, and set a timer so you can add softener at the right time.

Rather than always using hot water in your laundry, use warm or cold water for washing clothes, and always rinse in cold water, which can save you around $50/year.
Making these little changes adds up to a big difference overall.  You’ll be pleased to see your bills decreasing instead of going up each month!

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