Most of us are looking for ways to cut down on the costs of running a household. This can be achieved by doing everything from clipping coupons to turning off the lights. Water bills are also a major household cost. By changing a few common household habits, you can save a significant amount of money on water bills and do your part to conserve this precious resource at the same time. With planned price increases for water services in many countries, now is a good time to take a closer look at how to save. The following are a few ways to get started.
Compare Rate-Based vs. Water Meter Billing
There are different ways that water costs are calculated. In most households, your water bills are based on standard rates depending on the size of the house instead of the actual amount of water you use. If you have a small family, you’ll probably want to install a water meter instead. This could save you a bundle on your water bills automatically. If you have spare bedrooms, a meter will save you money. Some areas won’t allow water meters to be fitted, in which case there may be an option for a different type of tariff. Always compare all billing options to get the best rate.
Install Water-Saving Appliances
Many newer homes already come equipped with energy-efficient shower heads and taps. However, if your home was built more than a few years ago you might want to have them fitted to save water. Fixtures like a home water cooler and efficient shower heads can save a great deal of water, because less comes out of the tap. It’s estimated that about 33% of the water that is used in the average household ends up going down the drain, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Flow restricting devices can help reduce this waste.
Limit Time at the Tap
In addition to installing more efficient shower heads and faucets, take care to turn off the tap when you’re shaving, washing your face, doing the dishes, or brushing teeth. Fill the sink with water to do your washing up, and install an instant hot water tap rather than boiling a kettle full of water each time you want a cup of tea. This will cut down your water bill as well as gas bills. Don’t put off fixing leaky faucets, which can be a big waste of water and money. Just a few drips a day can really add up over time.
Reusable Water
Instead of running the garden hose or sprinkler every time you water your plants, save the water from your bath or washing up and use it instead. A garden hose uses up to a thousand litres of water each hour it’s turned on. You can also collect rainwater from your roof to help use in the garden, using a simple tarp or other catching device.
These simple ways to save water don’t require any major lifestyle changes, and they can result in you having some extra pocket money at the end of the year.
Image Credit:
DigitalArt – FreeDigitalPhotos.Net
