8 Tips for Conserving Water this Summer

June 26, 2017

As temperatures are rising, it’s likely your water bill is too. This is in part due to running and maintaining pools, increased showering, and watering your lawn and plants. Many people consider these additional water expenses par for the course during the summer, but they don’t have to be! There are steps you can take to help conserve water and keep your water bill in check. Try one of the methods below:

1. Harness rain! Rain can be your best friend in the summer. Use it to your advantage. Take rainfall into account when setting your sprinklers or watering outdoor plants. If you know a storm is coming take plants from covered areas out so they can receive some rainfall.

2. Consider a rain barrel. Going one step further to harness the rain, a rain water collection system can provide you with plenty of water to care for your lawn and even wash your pets.

3. Look to pasta water! If you don’t want to collect rain water (and even if you do) think about all the water wasted from making pasta. Once the water cools it can be used to water indoor plants instead of going down the drain.

4. Keep your grass longer! Longer grass is more drought resistant. If your grass springs back when you step on it, don’t water it!

5. Water smarter. Water your yard in the early morning or evening. Water evaporated more quickly in the afternoon when the sun is high. The more water that evaporates, the less your lawn can absorb.

6. Take a shorter shower. It may feel refreshing to stand under the cold water, but it is not refreshing on your wallet. Cutting just two minutes off your shower can save 1,750 gallons of water per year!

7. Utilize that dishwasher! It may seem like hand washing your dishes is more economical, but not when it comes to water usage. Energy Star-rated dishwashers use about 90% less water!

8. Cover your pool when not in use. Just like your lawn, water from your pool will evaporate during the day. You may want to considering covering it during the week when it isn’t in use to save on water needed to refill it.

9. Upgrade your fixtures. Old fixtures often leak and are much less efficient than newer models. Check your toilets, faucets, and shower heads to see what might need an upgrade. The same goes for your water tank!

10. Stop leaks! Leaks are the silent killer of the water bill. Just a few drops a minute could be costing you dozens of gallons of water per week. Find out how much water you’re wasting with this Water Leak Calculator.

Whether you need a leak fixed or want to learn more about high efficiency plumbing equipment, A.J. Perri can help you save money on your water bill this summer! Call us TODAY!