Looking to save money on utilities? Taking a few simple steps to reduce water consumption could save you big money and also have a positive effect on the environment.

Historically, inefficient water usage and leaks have cost people millions of dollars. Not to mention, it also depletes one of our most valuable natural resources.

Saving water doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re strapped for cash or on a mission to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, there are countless ways you can lower your water consumption and save money each year. Here are a few of the easier ways to conserve water in your daily life.

1. Limit shower time

Did you know that the average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day? According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), roughly 70% of that usage takes place indoors.

The average shower is said to use as much as five gallons of water per minute. Cutting back your daily shower time by just two minutes could reduce water consumption by up to 70 gallons of water per week.

Tip: Try turning the water off while you lather and shave. If you have children at home, have them do this too. If you could set a timer to track the minutes and gallons saved, you’d be amazed at how easy it is to reduce shower time.

2. Use water-saving showerheads

In addition to taking shorter showers, you can also install an eco-friendly showerhead. According to the EPA, installing a water-efficient showerhead could save the average family 2,900 gallons of water each year.

A low-flow showerhead uses no more than 2 gallons of water per minute. This technology allows you to get the water pressure you need while using 50% less water depending on which model you purchase.

Be sure to check with your local water department for any rebates and vouchers in your area. Sometimes you can find free or discount low-flow showerhead and other energy-efficient appliances that will conserve water.

3. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth, do the dishes, and shave

Another extremely simple way to reduce your water consumption is to make small adjustments while performing daily tasks like washing the dishes, shaving, and brushing your teeth.

While brushing your teeth, make it a habit to turn off the faucet until it’s time to rinse. You can also reduce water consumption by filling up the sink with water instead of leaving the sink running while you shave.

For those who do their dishes by hand, you can save water by filling your sink up instead of letting the faucet run.

4. Use faucet aerators

Without reducing water pressure, a faucet aerator can lower water consumption by more than 50%. These installations are fairly inexpensive and can save you anywhere from two to sixteen gallons per day. Averaging somewhere around 10 gallons per day. It is estimated that an aerator alone could result in savings of 1,825 gallons of water per year. And that’s only factoring in one person. If you have a large family–that number just keeps going up.

Again, it’s always a good idea to check with your local water department for rebates and savings. For example, in Dallas, TX, as part of the Minor Plumbing Repair Program, water utility customers can qualify for free water-efficient faucets and fixtures.

5. Purchase high-efficiency appliances

Replacing your appliances with energy-saving products can save you money in more ways than one. Dishwashers use a considerable amount of water during each cleaning cycle. You can estimate that around 6 to 15 gallons of water is used each time you run your dishwasher, depending on the model you use. That said, be sure to wait until it’s completely full to start a load.

The same stipulations apply in the laundry room. Washing machines are said to be the second largest culprit for water waste in the home, using between 30 to 40 gallons per load of laundry.

High-efficiency models can nearly cut that amount in half. When shopping for new appliances, look for water-saving models that let you specify the size for each load. Dishwashers will have a quick wash and washing machines should allow you to adjust based on load size.

6. Replace your toilet with a high-efficiency model

Low-flow toilets, much like other energy-efficient home upgrades, use less gallons per flush than older models. Installing a high-efficiency toilet in your home can save more than 4,000 gallons of water per year for just one person. Looking for more good news? This is another update you may not have to pay for.

We will use Dallas as an example again. Water utility customers with older model toilets may qualify to replace up to two toilets through the city’s New Throne for Your Home Residential Program. Whether you live in Dallas or elsewhere, always be on the lookout for these programs. After all, who says “no” to free home updates that save money?

7. Check for leaks

According to EPA, an average household wastes about 10,000 gallons of water each year due to leaks. Though they frequently go unnoticed, these leaks are often extremely easy to repair. At the same time, fixing leaks can save homeowners around 10% on their water bills. For this reason, it is always a good idea to have a system in place to check for leaks in your home.

There are a few ways to check for leaks in your home. Some people don’t know that they have a leak until they receive an unexpectedly high water bill. Unfortunately, this isn’t enough information to indicate a leak is present, but it can be a sure sign that something is amiss. When it comes to digging deeper into your water consumption, there are often a number of variables to consider.

How to Monitor & Control Your Water Consumption

Having access to information about how much water you use is the best way to come up with a strategy to start conserving. Since you can’t properly make adjustments to your lifestyle without knowing exactly how your household consumes water, installing a wireless water management system is the perfect way to monitor and manage your water usage.

With Subeca’s innovative water monitoring technology, your water conservation, control and management will be in your hands. Detect leaks and control valves remotely, and monitor your system with real-time data and alerts. You’ll be notified about potential issues and have the ability to view and measure your water consumption.

Interested in getting insights about your water usage to help lower your water bill?

Email us at info@subeca.com or call 800-366-2271 to discuss more about our smart water management system. At Subeca, we place top priority on helping both commercial water agencies and residential users conveniently conserve, control, and manage their water. From leaks to high water usage, there are several factors you can monitor to start reducing your water consumption and saving on your water utility bill.