To most homeowners, utility bills are just one of those things that will always be an expense. They are considered a fact of life, a monthly bill that will always eat up a bit of spare change. However, this needn’t be the case. While you may not be able to eliminate your utility bill entirely (aside from living without running water or electricity), a person can take simple steps in their everyday life to significantly reduce the cost of their utility bill. Not only will this save cash, but it also helps protect the environment- a cause anyone can get behind. If you’re curious on how to reduce your utility bill, then read on for our helpful tips.
- Check faucets and pipes for leaks. This may seem like a simple step, but it is extremely efficient. A small drip can lead to as much as 20 gallons wasted a day- larger drips wasting even more.
- Refrain from using your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. Every time you flush something down the toilet, five to seven gallons of water is wasted. Therefore, try to only flush your toilet when necessary, rather than just to throw things away.
- Check your toilet for leaks. A leaky toilet can waste a lot of water as well. To test this, place some food coloring in your toilet. If the color begins to disappear within thirty minutes without flushing, then you have a leaky toilet. Most replacement parts are inexpensive, making this a worthwhile and easy fix.
- Use water-saving shower heads. These are great for saving water- you just install them and shower as usual. Increase your savings by making your showers as short as possible- try to keep your shower to nothing more than lathering up and rinsing off.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. This may seem too tiny to make any difference, but think about it. You do this activity twice a day, everyday- after a while, all that wasted running water adds up. If you simply turn the water off and fill a cup up for rinsing, you can save a considerable amount on your water bill.
- Start a compost pile. Using your garbage disposal uses up a lot of water, and also adds waste to your septic tank which can lead to maintenance problems. A compost pile is alternative way to get rid of a lot of kitchen waste, which will save a considerable amount of water over time.