The weather outside won’t be the only thing that’s frightful this season. From extra loads of laundry to fight back against COVID-19 to long showers to fight back against the cold, the winter season is set to make our water bills skyrocket like never before.
The good news is that there are a few ways you can keep your water bill from hitting the roof. Here are some key tips to help keep your family’s water usage under control this season.
Take shorter showers
A long, hot shower during the winter can feel like a real luxury. Unfortunately, not only is it a luxury that could be racking up your family’s water bill (especially when multiple family members take them) but it’s also a luxury that could be damaging your skin. According to dermatologists, showering in water that’s only slightly warm is best to prevent drying out your skin, especially during the winter months when humidity isn’t on your side.
You can also make your showers shorter while you’re at it. While it’s recommended to shower several times throughout the week, depending on your hair type, you may only need to wash your hair twice a week. That means the other times you shower can be narrowed down to just your body, which may only take approximately five minutes.
Have multiple masks on hand
It’s important to wash your mask after wearing it throughout the day. However, if your masks and the clothes you wore that day are the only items getting washed, you’re wasting an average of 41 gallons of water to wash only a few pieces of clothing. Keep worn clothes quarantined in their own bin until you have a full load of laundry to wash to reduce water waste. Having multiple sets of masks for the whole family can also reduce how many loads of laundry the family needs to do to have a clean mask.
Fix any leaks that seem minor
Approximately 10% of U.S. households have leaks in their plumbing. While these tiny leaks may not seem like much, they can actually waste up to 90 gallons of water per day. That’s 90 gallons of water that you could be using to wash your clothes or take a long hot bath after shoveling.
Fixing a leaky pipe not only helps to lower your water bill and fight back against water waste but it also helps to reduce the risk of a burst pipe. Leaks are commonly caused by changes in water pressure, which cause pipes to break down over time. During the winter, this can put your pipes at greater risk for breaks. Flood damage is the last thing you want. To help protect your plumbing, make sure to contact a local plumber to get your leaks fixed early and your water pressure checked and changed if necessary.
Schedule your water heater’s seasonal inspection
Your water heater works the hardest during the winter months because it’s taking cold water from your pipes and spending more time heating it up. It’s up to you to make sure that your water heater is capable of taking on that extra responsibility without breaking down when you need it most. Schedule a seasonal maintenance check-up for your water heater to make sure it’s in good shape for the season. Most tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of approximately 20 years if they’re well-taken-care-of so maintenance is essential. What’s more, when your water heater is in good working condition, you won’t have to leave the water running for several minutes while the water heats up.
Winter is almost here, but that doesn’t mean you need to sweat over your utilities. By following the tips above, you can help to reduce your family’s water usage to help keep your monthly bills under control.
Want tips on how to save money on water heating in your home, too?
Check out my guide here:
For more ways to save money and energy in your home:
Free Water Conservation Kits for Minnesota Energy Resources Residential Customers
10 Simple Ways to Save Money and Energy at Home
10 Ways to Save Money Running Your Dishwasher
10 Ways to Save Money Heating Your Home
10 Ways to Save Money on Your Water Heating Bill
3 Ways a New ENERGY STAR Certified Washing Machine can Save You Money
Brennan Mulcahy says
The simple tips that you have mentioned to help lower our family water bills this winter were very helpful and useful. This will not only save our bills but bring a big sigh of relief after saving money during this crisis period. Thank you for sharing the information with us.