Considering how many large oil companies reside here in Houston, our economy isn’t always stable. It’s smart to pinch pennies when you can in case of a future financial hardships. You’ll have a few extra dollars saved up in your bank account, plus you’ll already be used to easy, water-reducing habits. One of the easiest ways to save a buck is by stretching the water consumption in your home. From the kitchen to the bathroom, to the yard, we have a few tips to share with you.
Shower Buckets
Have you heard of using a shower bucket? This basic step collects the water that would usually fall down the drain while you’re waiting for the water to heat up for your shower. Use this water for other things like watering plants, gardens, flushing the toilet, and anything else you can think of. The same can be done for water used to boil noodles (wait until the water has cooled), and even runoff from the washing machine, depending on where you live. Without a shower bucket, you’re literally throwing money down the drain.
Fix Your Leaks
It may not seem like it, but leaks cost a ton of money. Not only are you wasting water, you’re also possibly causing serious structural damage to your home. Doing a DIY job could cost you even more if you don’t know what you’re doing. The smartest money-saving option is to call a Houston plumbing company such as Santhoff. We’re professionals who get the job right the first time and stand behind our work if something were to go wrong. Also, check over your water bill every month. A spike in charges could indicate a leak somewhere in your system, which we’re more than equipped to diagnose and fix.
Turn Off the Tap
Whether you’re brushing your teeth or washing your hands, there’s no reason to keep the sink running. Wet your toothbrush or your hands, turn the faucet off, and turn the faucet back on when you’re ready to rinse your mouth or hands. It has been estimated that leaving a faucet running for one minute wastes nearly 2.5 gallons of water. That adds up quite a bit over time. Shut the faucet off, and track the savings on your water bill.
If It’s Yellow…
…let it mellow. While we don’t expect everyone to follow this rule, it can make a serious dent in your water bill. Toilets are one of the most water intensive fixtures. By reducing flushes, you’re saving an untold amount of money. It’s estimated that a single flush can use between 3 and 7 gallons of water. Choosing efficient fixtures in general can help reduce the amount of water used. If you don’t have the funds to install a low-flow toilet at the moment, try sinking a half-gallon jug of water in the toilet tank. DO NOT SINK A BRICK IN THE TANK. This common practice can loosen the brick’s sediment, and wreck havoc on your plumbing system.
Find a Water Recycling Car Wash
While it may seem to be cheaper to wash your car at home, between the different soaps, scrub brushes, and water used, you’re spending a great deal more, actually. Most car washes now recycle water. Also reducing your overall electricity consumption can inadvertently reduce water consumption in your community. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Cut Down on Showers
It won’t kill you to take shorter showers. Even better? Skip a shower every now and then. While we’re not suggesting on stinking up the place, if you’re not sweaty and/or dirty, there’s not much of a reason to take a shower. In fact, it’s healthier not to constantly shower. The oils on our skin are a protective layer, and consistently washing the oil away destroys the barrier and creates dryer skin. Shower at the gym to save money on water at home, and skip the shower later on in the day at home.
Taking Care of the Lawn
Rain harvesting is a smart way to collect rainwater and use it to water the lawn and flower beds. It costs nothing, reuses water from the earth, and keeps your yard looking healthy even when water is scarce. An even better solution to keeping a healthy lawn is to reduce the size of your lawn. Xeriscaped landscapes allow you to maintain a beautiful yard with plants that need little water to survive. The less grass you have, and the more succulents you plant, the more cost-effective your lawn will be. Don’t forget to water in the morning when you do water the lawn. Since it’s cooler out, you need less water because the lower temperatures reduce water evaporation. If you must keep some sort of a lawn, consider washing your pet outside. It allows you to reuse the water on your lawn, but be sure that the soap you use won’t hurt your plants!
Taking Care of Business
Never run a washing machine or a dishwasher half empty. It wastes gallons upon gallons of water to do so, and there’s no extra cleaning benefit to your dishes or clothes. Same goes for hand-washing dishes. Never leave the faucet running. Instead, plug up the sink, fill it with water, handwash the dishes on one side, and rinse off the dishes on the other side.
Call For Help
These tips work at home and at work, for the most part. For help installing water-conserving appliances and fixtures, call your Houston commercial plumber. We have even more tricks up our sleeves to help save you a dollar. It may not seem like much, but it all adds up!