Simple Ways to Lower Your Water Bill

Water costs add up, especially in Northern Colorado where water conservation is increasingly important. The good news is that many of the biggest water wasters in your home are easy and inexpensive to fix. Small plumbing improvements can save you real money every month without sacrificing your comfort.

Fix Leaks, Even Small Ones

A dripping faucet might seem minor, but a faucet that drips once per second wastes over 3,000 gallons per year. That's enough to fill a swimming pool. A running toilet is even worse, it can waste 200 gallons per day or more without you even noticing. Walk through your home and check every faucet, toilet, and visible pipe connection. Listen for hissing sounds from toilets and check under sinks for any moisture.

Upgrade to Low-Flow Fixtures

Showerheads

Older showerheads can use 5 or more gallons per minute. Modern low-flow showerheads use 2 gallons per minute or less while still providing good water pressure thanks to better engineering. For a family of four, switching showerheads alone can save 10,000+ gallons per year. They cost $15 to $40 and install in minutes.

Faucet Aerators

Replacing the aerators on your kitchen and bathroom faucets with low-flow versions is one of the cheapest and easiest upgrades you can make. Aerators cost just a few dollars each and screw on by hand. They mix air into the water stream so you get the same feel with less water. A standard faucet uses 2.2 gallons per minute; a low-flow aerator cuts that to 1.5 or even 1.0 GPM.

Toilets

If your home has toilets from before 1994, they're using 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush. Modern low-flow toilets use 1.28 gallons or less. Over the course of a year, upgrading a single old toilet can save over 10,000 gallons. If full replacement isn't in the budget right now, a dual-flush conversion kit can be installed on most existing toilets.

Fix Running Toilets Immediately

A running toilet is the single biggest water waster in most homes. The flapper valve, the rubber seal at the bottom of the tank, is usually the culprit. When it wears out and doesn't seal properly, water constantly leaks from the tank into the bowl, triggering the fill valve to run periodically. A new flapper costs a few dollars and takes five minutes to replace. If replacing the flapper doesn't stop the running, the fill valve may need adjustment or replacement.

Insulate Your Hot Water Pipes

When you turn on the hot water, you usually have to wait while cold water runs down the drain until hot water reaches the faucet. Insulating your hot water pipes reduces heat loss, which means hot water arrives faster and you waste less water waiting. Pipe insulation sleeves are inexpensive and easy to install on accessible pipes. You'll save on both water and energy costs.

Check Your Water Pressure

High water pressure doesn't just waste water, it also stresses your pipes, fittings, and appliances, shortening their lifespan. Normal residential water pressure should be between 40 and 60 PSI. You can check yours with a simple gauge that screws onto a hose bib (available at any hardware store for about $10). If your pressure is above 80 PSI, a pressure reducing valve can save water and prevent expensive plumbing failures down the road.

Be Smart with Your Water Heater

Your water heater's temperature setting affects water usage indirectly. If it's set too high, you mix in more cold water at every tap to get a comfortable temperature, effectively reducing the hot water capacity of your tank. Set your water heater to 120 degrees, it's hot enough for comfortable showers and dishwashing, safer for children, and more energy-efficient. Most water heaters ship from the factory at 140 degrees, so there's a good chance yours is set higher than it needs to be.

Know When to Call a Professional

If your water bill has spiked and you can't find the cause, you may have a hidden leak, under the foundation, in a wall, or in the supply line between the meter and your house. These are problems that won't show up as visible drips or puddles but can waste enormous amounts of water. A professional leak detection service can pinpoint the problem without tearing up your property.