Saving Water and Saving Money:
Tips that Won’t Cost More
Many water conservation tips involve buying new appliances that use less water or installing new toilets and shower heads. While it makes sense to replace broken appliances with more efficient ones, trashing something that works just fine is expensive and creates unnecessary waste. Saving water doesn’t have to cost more. In fact, most of our tips will reduce your water bill.
Saving Water Outside – Water Conservation Tips
As irrigation specialists, we’re especially keen on saving water outdoors. Try out some of these tips:
- If you see a water main break, call to report it. Learn more at the Greater Cincinnati Water Works website.
- Cover your pool when you’re not using it. Covering a pool reduces evaporation (and may help keep it warmer for swimming).
- Sweep sidewalks and driveways instead of using a hose and water sprayer.
- Optimize your sprinkler system’s schedule. During rainy or cooler months, your sprinkler system shouldn’t run as often as during hot, dry months. Too much water can also damage your lawn and landscaping. This water conservation tip is easy if you have a smart watering controller.
- Adjust your sprinkler heads. If your driveway or walkways get wet when your irrigation system runs, it’s wasting water (that your plants probably need).
- Winterize your sprinkler system in the fall. Water left in your system over the winter will freeze and break pipes, fittings and your backflow device. When spring comes and your system is turned on, it will be a flood of water.
- Protect outdoor pipes and faucets in the winter. A frozen outdoor faucet not only wastes water, it is expensive to fix. Most homes have shut-off valves for outdoor faucets to keep them from freezing.
- Watch your water bill. If your bill goes up dramatically one month and stays high, you may have a water leak. Call a plumber to trace the leak and fix it. The leak could be outside or inside, but it will be past your water meter. (Yes, this tip does cost money, but leaking water will cost you more in the long run– from both water bills and property damage).
Saving Water Inside – Water Conservation Tips
You probably are already aware of these tips, but a reminder can’t hurt!
- Save up to 100 gallons of water per week by turning the water off when you brush your teeth and back on to rinse.
- Only run your washing machine or dishwasher when you have a full load.
- Consider composting and using your garbage disposal less. (And you’ll benefit from great compost for your garden).
- Try lowering your hot water heater settings. While this may not save water, it will save energy. If your settings are too high at present, you’ll never even notice if the thermostat is lower.
If you’re concerned that your lawn sprinkler system may be wasting water, contact us. Saving water (and on your water bill) often quickly covers the cost of the service call.
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