Many homeowners want to reduce their environmental impact and lower their water bills. Fortunately, you can partner with a plumber to make changes throughout the home that will limit water use and improve efficiency. Here are four pieces of advice to try at home.

How to Decrease Home Water Waste

1. Repair Leaks

Dripping faucets waste gallons of water every day. Call a plumber to address visible leaks and look for ones you may not be aware of, like under the sink. Always call a professional right away after noticing a drip that doesn’t respond to turning the faucet off.

2. Install New Fixtures

Another quick fix is updating the faucets and showerheads to low-flow fixtures with WaterSense labels. These models lower water usage by over 30% because they use up to 1.5 gallons per minute, nearly one gallon less than conventional taps.

Aeration faucets push the liquid through a screen to provide ample pressure by adding air. Laminar options feature bigger streams like rain showers with massage options. Plus, they create less steam, so they’re perfect for bathrooms that don’t have windows or ventilation.

3. Swap Out the Appliances

If your dishwasher or washing machine is over five years old, consider swapping them out for ENERGY STAR® models. This new technology may save up to 3,870 gallons of water in its lifetime, and often costs just $35 per year to operate. These models use better filtration to remove food and dirt, and use decreased amounts of energy and water to clean dishes and clothing.

4. Limit Bathing Time

Make showering a game and ask kids to handle all of their hygiene tasks in the time it takes for their favorite song to play. This fun measurement will turn hygiene into a playful competition to see if everyone can wash up faster than their tune of choice, which could end up saving you on water costs throughout the year.

If you need a plumber to lower water use, contact Wild West Plumbing Heating & Drain Service in Flathead County, MT. The family-owned and -operated company serves family, friends, and neighbors with top-quality technicians and innovative plumbing and HVAC technology. Call the Kalispell-area company at (406) 752-1244 or visit the website for information on their septic drain field restoration, sump pump repairs, and more.