Using hot water is one of the biggest expenses in every household.
It accounts for around 12 percent of a family’s utility bill—the biggest chunk after space heating and cooling—according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
As the temperatures continue to drop, the water bills are bound to increase.
Here are some tips to cut down on your utility bill.
Using hot water to shower, do the laundry, and the dishes is one of the biggest expenses for households.
However, that does not mean comfort has to be sacrificed.
Try taking a shorter shower instead of long baths. If possible, turn the water off soaping up, shampooing, or shaving to save even more.
Use cold or warm water for the laundry. Always use cold water for the rinse cycle and try using faster spin cycles for less drying time.
Your clothes will still get clean, and your utility bill will go down. What’s not to love?
If possible, purchase energy-efficient appliances. Energy Star washing machines and dishwashers use 33 percent less water than standard models. If you’re replacing a washer that’s over a decade old, you can save over $135 per year.
As an added bonus, on top of the money you’ll be saving each month, the newer models are also quieter.
If purchasing new appliances isn’t an option right now, not to worry, there are still ways to save on water heating expenses.
Don’t let the water run. All the extra minutes—between brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, hunting down soap—all add up to a lot of wasted water.
Fix leaks. A drip per second can cost $1 per month.
It might not seem like much, but this drip calculator from the American Water Works Association puts it in perspective: One drip per second, or 60 drips per minute, wastes 8.64 gallons per day, 259 gallons per month, and just over 3,153 gallons per year.
Try out some, or all, of these tips and watch the water-heating utility bill go down.
