12 Ways To Lower Your Water Bill - Moving.com (2024)

If you’re not paying close attention, you could be spending way more on your water bill every month than you have to. While most of us don’t add up the dollars and cents while taking a long shower or calculate the cost of doing the dishes by hand versus running the dishwasher, little things can (and do) add up fast on your water bill. The good news: with a conscious effort and a bit of awareness, you can easily use less water in your day-to-day and cut down on your utility costs.

As of 2019, the average U.S. household of four people is using 100 gallons of water per person per day for an average monthly water bill of $72.93—or $875.16 a year. Your own bill can run exponentially higher every month if you heavily water your grass, have a pool, or simply have more than four people living in your home.

Every effort that you make to cut down your water bill means more cash in your pocket. So how do you do it? These 12 easy tips will all help you use less water at home—which will directly translate into a lower monthly bill.

1. Fix Leaks and Drips
   

   A leaky faucet that releases one drop of water a minute will drip 1,440 times a day and waste 34 gallons of water a year. The more times it drips per minute, the more water you’re wasting down the drain every single day. And while it might seem inconsequential, each of those drips represents a tiny but measurable increase in your water bill. Take a quick lap around your home to check for any leaking faucets, showerheads, toilets, or pipes, and do repairs as needed. In most cases, it’s an easy fix you can accomplish without a plumber, and can be done using tools that you already have in your home.

2. Upgrade Your Washer
   

   If you’re using an old washing machine it’s likely costing you big in inefficient water use. Your washing machine accounts for about 16% of your total water usage, which means it’s a smart place to make a change if you’re looking to lower your water bill. Today’s WaterSense and Energy Star models require about 33% less water and 25% less energy than traditional models to run, and are pretty much standard anywhere that you go to shop for appliances. Just be sure to pick up a front loading machine instead of top loading one, since the former runs on less water to begin with.

3. Aerate Your Faucets
   

   A faucet aerator is that little metal piece found at the tip of a faucet, right where the water comes out. This small but substantial addition pushes air into the water stream to reduce the flow volume, providing you with a steady, forceful stream that splashes less and wastes less water. And at about $10 each, they’re a cheap home improvement you can make to lower your water bill.

4. Use Your Dishwasher
   

   While it might seem counter-intuitive, it’s actually way more efficient to use your dishwasher than wash dishes by hand when it comes to water usage. An average dishwasher uses six gallons of water per cycle (and just four gallons of water per cycle if it’s Energy Star rated). Meanwhile, washing your dishes by hand can use up as much as 20 gallons of water every time you do it. Just one round of hand washing then accounts for three to five uses of your dishwasher, costing you pretty heavily on your monthly bill. So use the dishwasher instead—not only will you save time, you’ll also know you’re saving lots of water.

5. Have To Wash By Hand? Fill the Sink
   

   If you don’t have a dishwasher that doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to inefficient water usage for the sake of clean dishes. You can still save money washing your dishes by hand by filling up the sink with hot soapy water instead of running the tap. Submerge your dishes entirely and wear protective rubber gloves to shield your hands from the heat, then scrub as needed. This method uses only about four gallons of water, and your dishes will come out just as clean.

   See Also

   When Is the Best Time to Do Laundry to Save Money? | Mulberrys Blog

6. Change Your Shower Habits
   

   A conventional showerhead flows at a rate of about five gallons of water per minute. So while an eight or ten minute shower might not seem like much, that translates to a huge percentage of your daily water usage. Cut it down to five minutes though and you slash that number by a significant percentage. You can—and should—also switch to a low-flow showerhead, which uses 2.5 gallons or less per minute. You could also consider switching up your shower routine itself; for example, turning the water off while soaping up and then back on to rinse off.

7. Convert Your Toilets to Low Flow
   

   Toilets are up there with washing machines and showers in terms of water use. And while more energy efficient toilets are available for purchase, you can convert your existing toilets to operate at low flow instead of investing in a total overhaul. A low flow toilet uses about 1.6 gallons per flush, versus the seven gallons per flush a standard toilet uses. Retrofitting your toilet to operate more efficiently is a pretty easy home upgrade to take on, and doesn’t cost much by means of supplies. You can find directions on how to do it here.

8. Collect Your Rainwater
   

   Don’t pay for water that you could collect for free from the sky! Instead, attach a rain barrel to your gutter and use the water that fills it up to do things like water your plants or wash your car. Check your local regulations first though, since some towns or homeowners associations have rules about rain barrel use.

9. Use a Cover On Your Pool
   

   Pools are obvious water guzzlers, but there are steps that you can take to mitigate the damage. A good start: cover your pool when it’s not in use. Water evaporates as sun hits the surface, which might seem negligible as it’s happening but can account for a decent amount of water waste—and the need for more frequent refills. By using a cover, you reduce exposure to the sun and keep more of your water where you want it, and you even get the bonus of having to worry less about dirt, debris, and animals going for a swim.

10. Be Strategic With Lawn Care
    

    While we’re on the subject of evaporation, it’s a good idea to talk lawn maintenance. The hotter the temperature when you water your lawn, the more water that you’re losing into the air—and the more water that will be required to keep your lawn looking fresh and green. A better idea: water your lawn early in the morning or the evening, when temperatures are lower and more of the water that you use will go to work as intended.

11. Use a Fridge Pitcher for Cold Water
    

    If you get your drinking water from the tap then you’re probably quite familiar with waiting with your finger under the faucet for the water to get to the right temperature. The longer you wait though the more water that you’re sending down the drain. A better choice: fill a pitcher with water and stick it in the fridge. You’ll have cold water on demand without having to waste even a drop.

12. Turn Off The Faucet
    

    Are you guilty of keeping the faucet running while you brush your teeth, scrub your hands, or wash your face? Habits like these are big drivers of water waste, sending water down the drain for no reason other than the convenience of not having to hit the handle. Make a resolution to ditch the habit and turn off the faucet any time it’s not in use. It might cost you an extra second on your morning or bedtime routing, but it’ll pay off by reducing your water bill.

Small savings on your water bill add up fast. Even shaving just $10 off your monthly bill will account for more than $100 in savings a year, and if you follow all of the tips above you’re guaranteed to save a whole lot more than that.

Start with the tips that are easiest to implement, and work your way out from there. As you begin to see results, you’ll get more motivated to make the major changes that result in major pay-offs, and you might even realize that a three minute shower can be just as refreshing as a ten minute one!