We all could benefit from saving money on our monthly utility bills, especially in these challenging times! We care about you and your finances. We all know that taking shorter showers and baths and turning off the water while we brush our teeth saves water, but here are 5 other plumbing tips and tricks that can help you save.
- Faucets and showerheads can save money
Watch your faucets and showerheads for drips and leaks. A typical drip can accumulate up to 15 gallons a day which can lead to over 5,000 wasted gallons of water per year! A leak could be a simple fix with new rubber gaskets. Aerators are another quick addition that can reduce water splashing and lower the water output from your faucet. You may also want to consider upgrading them to more eco-friendly models that reduce water flow. Look for the EPA Water Sense label. A low flow shower head can reduce water use by as much as 40%. An older faucet uses anywhere from 3 to 7 gallons of water per minute, but a newer more efficient faucet can use as little as 2.2 gallons per minute.
- Save money using your appliances
We all love the convenience of our washing machines and dishwashers, but are you using them most efficiently? Most have cycle choices for efficiency. In addition, you want to make sure you always run a full load of dishes or clothes. You can also run your clothes almost always on cold, even your whites, unless someone in your home is ill. On a side note, the dishwasher will actually use less water than washing dishes by hand, and with hotter water it can be more sanitary, so there are two good reasons for putting up the dish drainer for good and getting a dishwasher!
- Water heater
Your water heater can impact both your water and electric or gas bills. If you reduce the temperature from the standard 140 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees, not only is your hot water safer, but it can save you $30 to $60 dollars a year! If your hot water heater is older than 10 years, you should consider replacing it. A tankless or on-demand gas water heater will be most efficient because there is no need to keep stored water warm. This can save you up to 15% each year in your energy bill. Tankless water heaters will also last about twice as long as a traditional water heater. Insulating your hot water pipes will help keep warm water warm, and will require less heat energy. Finally, you will also want to drain and flush it every 6 months to keep it working at its best.
- Save money with these toilet tips
The toilet accounts for about 27% of your average home water use. Inspect your toilet to ensure it is functioning properly. Be sure that the flushing handle does not stick. Look for things like a sticky flapper valve in the tank that can cause more water to flow than is needed. Check your valves for leaks. Another quick trick is to open the tank and place a few drops of food color in the tank. Come back in 15-20 minutes. If there is any coloring in your bowl, there is a leak! If your toilet is over 10 years old, you might consider replacing it with a more eco-friendly energy saving model, such as a low flow. A traditional toilet uses 3.6 gallons of water per flush, while a low flow toilet will only use 1.6 gallons per flush.
- Save money by timing usage
Often the utility companies will charge a higher rate for what they consider peak hours in the afternoon and evenings. Run your dishwasher and your laundry overnight to avoid the premium!
Use these tips to help keep your utility costs under control in 2021! For help with all these tips and more money saving strategies, call Fite Plumbing at (317) 271-5400.
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