High Water Bill? We Have Some Great Tips To Save Money!

Thanks to climate change, fresh water is no longer an unlimited natural resource. We are left with less than 1% usable freshwater on Earth. Hence, we must leave no stone unturned, and no drop wasted with our water usage! Even simple efforts like turning the tap off while brushing or using a bucket instead of a shower or not filling the swimming pool, or water the garden more than usual can save so much water and money in your billing period in the long run. And fixing a water leak or addressing burst underground pipes also helps a lot!

So, as a property owner, your choice of plumbing services also plays a massive role in reducing water waste aside from lessening your water consumption or average daily usage. Believe it or not- broken pipes and leakage, if not treated immediately, can waste up to 20,000 litres yearly! So, it is essential to keep an eye on your taps and call for water and sewerage services as soon as possible if you suspect a leaking tap or burst pipes. It’s even better if you have a water meter installed in your homes and businesses.

Let us prevent water loss and an unusually high water bill, higher than your previous bills as much as possible. Lessening our water consumption isn’t the only way. Let’s look at the common reasons behind our high water bills and the sustainable plumbing methods to save water, and your expenses, and prevent bad water-wasting habits.

1. Switch To Water-Efficient Showerheads

It is no secret that showering results in significant water wastage. That’s why we recommend using a bucket instead for your bath water use to avoid a significant increase also in your water bills. But, you can still reduce your water consumption rate by opting for a water-efficient showerhead or water saving showerheads. This particular showerhead often features various spray functions. And it maintains the pressure to provide squeaky clean results while using less water.

2. Choose Water-Efficient Shower Systems

And speaking of showers, installing a reliable and efficient shower system will save more water. You can choose designs that produce more droplets with less water while ensuring a reduction in the total wastage caused by installation, heating and cooling. Ideally, look for shower systems with small and insulated hot-water pipes. Great plumbing fixtures play significant roles too in saving water. So choose your plumbing fixtures wisely! The bill is higher when you buy it, but you’ll be able to get your money back through the long-lasting features. And consider investing not only in a shower system but in other water-consuming equipment like your washing machines and sprinkler systems.

3. Replace Or Fix Old Toilets

Before, a typical toilet used up to 7 gallons of water in a single flush. That’s because older toilets were not designed to conserve water. So, you might want to consider getting a new unit or give the old one a makeover. Especially, when you have leaking toilets. Can you imagine how high your water usage would be if you have leaking toilets?

Nowadays, efficient toilet units use just 1.28 gallons for each flush. You can opt for dual flush toilets that allow you to choose between two options— light flush and heavy flush. The former is suitable for getting rid of liquid waste by using as little as 0.8 gallons of water.

If you don’t plan on renovating your bathrooms yet, you can also get your existing toilet converted into a dual flushing system. Also, just don’t ignore your leaky toilets.

4. Reduce Outdoor Waste Water

An effective plumbing system takes care of water consumption inside and outside your house. That includes the lawn sprinkler and irrigation controllers for those maintaining a farm. If you have an irrigation system for your landscaping and you’ve got irrigation leaks, finding these leaks can be tricky. Regular inspection and plumbing maintenance are recommended to ensure minimum water wastage.

5. Get New Faucets

An old-fashioned, inefficient faucet can waste up to 2 gallons of water every minute. Imagine how much water that is! They are one of the common culprits of indoor water wastage. No wonder you also have a high water bill. So don’t be surprised anymore by a higher than expected water bills. We recommend upgrading your faucets with an aerator or replacing the old model.

This is one of the most inexpensive plumbing changes you can make that has a big impact. Save money on your water bill.

6. Invest In A Hot Water Recirculation Pump

When using a heater, ensure that the distance between the heat source and the water outlet is minimal. The longer the length, the longer the waiting time, which means more water wasted.

You can ask your plumber to install a recirculating pump to facilitate the automatic pumping of hot water, even before the user turns on the outlet.

7. Harvest Rainwater

Your harvested rainwater can be used in your homes and business premises. You can use your collected rainwater for your garden, toilet, laundry room and many more. And wash full laundry loads to lessen your water usage. Don’t use the washing machines if you only have one pair of socks to wash.

With collected rainwater, you don’t have to worry about your water consumption and you’ll save a lot of money on your water bill. It’ll be better too if you can plan ahead where you want to use your harvested water, say for your irrigation system or somewhere else. So, you’ll know where the problem could be if there will be something wrong with your plumbing system if you have high water bills, being aware of where you use your harvested water.

• Did you know that Coca Cola is cheaper at our local service stations than water? In some countries, water is even more expensive than petrol. Here’s the easiest water saving tip that we know. It’s dead simple and will save the average home 100 dollars each year – turn the tap off when brushing your teeth.
• Another easy idea that doesn’t cost a cent is to take your phone or media player into the bathroom. Then, pick your favourite song that is around three minutes long. Crank it up and jump into the shower. The song acts as a timer, and when it ends, you know it’s time to hop out of the shower. Hey, no cheating by putting your phone on repeat, though!
• When the kids want to cool off, put the sprinkler out on the lawn and let the kids play on the grass every summer. This way, you are using the water they are playing in for your garden!
• True, a lot of us like looking at an empty laundry basket. But don’t run the washing machine just because there’s a pair of jeans and socks on your recently-emptied laundry basket. You’ll be wasting a lot of water and energy with that! Instead, wait until the basket’s full. (Again.) That way, you can reduce the amount of time you’ll run the washing machine.
• You must’ve gone out camping, or your children must have rolled in the mud with your puppies. Either way, you’ve now got extra dirty laundries. Well, here’s the good news. You don’t have to wash them right away. Because washing them right this second would mean you’ll have to do it at least twice or thrice to get rid of all the dirt. And that’s a lot of water and time. Instead, you can soak them first.
• Don’t water your plants and lawn when the sun is high up in the sky. The water you used would only be evaporated. And that’s not good for your garden and your water bill. Instead, you can water your lawn and plants early in the morning when the heat doesn’t burn you yet. Or, if you’re not an early bird, you can always water late in the afternoon when the sun is about to set. And if you clocked out of work late, the evening isn’t a bad option either.

These ideas can save over $400 in water wastage per year if they are consistently applied, and the great thing is they are free.

To handle any of your plumbing needs, reach out to Gold Coast Plumbing Company. We are available at your service from a burst pipe to water leaks, backflow prevention, leaking pipe and other plumbing issues. We can also install your water meter to help you keep track of your water consumption! No need to worry anymore about your water bill being higher than normal, especially when you have guests and an additional person staying over for a long time. So, feel free to call us on our helpline number or email us. You can even drop in your details on our official website, and we’ll get in touch with you shortly.

Our team of trusted plumbers and repair specialists brings you the best solutions at the most affordable rates. So, call us today and do your bit to save as much water as possible!