During these tough economic times, saving money is on every homeowner’s mind. Cutting costs and pinching pennies really does make a difference and we are all looking for more ways to save.  Most people begin by looking at the monthly bills and identifying where they can minimize payments for each.  Some choices are obvious, like reducing your phone bill or cancelling your gym membership.  But it’s easy to overlook some bills we assume can’t be changed. 

However, there are many simple ways to lower your water bill, while also conserving this valuable resource!  The average person uses approximately 136 gallons of water each day!  Below are seven easy habits for conserving water and cutting costs.

1. Take Shorter Showers. If you are living in a crowded home, make a schedule for mornings and evenings. Set an alarm clock in the bathroom that goes off after 5-8 minutes. In addition, there are shower heads available and recirculation pumps we can install for you that cut down on the amount of time you wait for the shower water to heat up.  Contact us to learn more. 

    
2. Don’t run the dishwasher unless it is full.  Millions of gallons of water are wasted each day on loads of dishes that are only partially filled! Try hand-washing dishes whenever possible, and this doesn’t mean skimming all of the dishes under running water while you scrub them. You might also consider installing an energy efficient dishwasher for less water usage.  Contact us today for a free quote.

    
3. Decrease outdoor water usage.  About 70% of your total water use occurs outside the home. If you must run sprinklers, put them on a timer and run them in the early morning hours to reduce evaporation. 

    
4. Fix leaky faucets.  Drip, drip, drip…not only is that annoying but it is wasting water and costing money!  Some leaks may simply require a wrench and some elbow grease from you.  Others may need a plumber’s attention.  Ask the Expert today!
    
5. Use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalks. Instead of feeding our precious water to your driveway, purchase a great push broom to get those pesky twigs, rocks, dirt, etc. off of your driveway and walkways. 

    
6. Insulate your pipes. Not only will you get hot water faster but you will also reduce the chance of your pipes freezing during the few cold winter months.  Check the Internet for helpful tips on do-it-yourself projects, or Contact Us today for a free on-site estimate.

    
7. Turn off water main while on vacation. This reduces the chances of water running from any outlet the entire time you are away. This is especially helpful if you haven’t gotten around to fixing those leaky faucets yet. See our Tips & Hints page for help in finding your water main shut off valve.  

In addition, there are programs offered such as the “Water Use It Wisely” campaign, “Time of Use Plan” and the “DesertWise Home Program” that are in place to help conserve energy and water here in the Arizona desert.

If you are interested in any “Green” plumbing, heating or cooling ideas for your home, contact Sun Devil Plumbing.