It is common for your water bill to increase during the summer. More outdoor activities in the heat mean your family is taking more showers and you are likely watering your yard more to keep it from drying out. By getting into these 4 simple habits for saving water during the summer, you can keep your water consumption under control.
Turn Off the Faucet When Brushing Teeth
Most people leave the faucet running the whole time while brushing their teeth. If you simply turn the water off while brushing your teeth you can save up to 200 gallons per month. All that water isn’t doing any good going down the drain. If saving water during the summer is your goal, get into the habit of turning the water off whenever you can, even if it is in the middle of brushing your teeth or taking a shower.
Use Your Dishwasher and Laundry Machine For Full Loads
A dishwasher uses less water than washing the dishes by hand; approximately a 15-gallon difference. But you should only run your dishwasher if you have enough dishes for a full load. Same goes for the laundry machine. If you have to wash just a few items of clothing, make sure to set the machine to a small load so it uses less water.
Take Shorter Showers
Another habit that you can get into for saving water during the summer is reducing your shower time by just 2 minutes. Doing so can save you thousands of gallons of water per year. People tend to take more showers in the summertime because they sweat more, so it is even more important to get into the habit of taking shorter showers. Replacing your showerhead with a water-efficient, low flow fixture can help you use half the water you would during a normal shower.
Water the Lawn Early in the Morning
Get into the habit of waking up early during the summer on the days you need to water your lawn. If you water your lawn later in the day once the sun is overhead, the water will evaporate before your soil can absorb the moisture. Then you will find yourself having to water more frequently to keep the yard from turning brown. Water the lawn early enough and you will find that you don’t have to water as much, or as often.
Saving Water During the Summer is Easy
These minor lifestyle changes are easy adjustments to make that will pay off when you see your water bill. Saving water during the summer is also better for the environment, so do your part to use less water.
Homecraft Home Inspections serves the Central Idaho Mountains with home inspection services, including home water testing. Contact us to schedule an appointment.