Owning a home comes with a series of expenses, and the bills can really add up. We know that whenever you can save a few dollars, you’re going to do so. It’s tough to save on some utilities, but your water bill may leave wiggle room for savings. Here are 4 reasons why your water bill might be a little higher than you’d like.
- Faucet Problems - Probably the most straightforward and common cause of high water bills are leaking faucets. If the leak is substantial, it can cause a serious problem for your house and your wallet. In fact, as the EPA states, "a leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.”
- Toilets - They use more water than you might think. In fact, the EPA explains that “toilets account for 26.7% of the indoor water use for the average American home. This makes toilets the single biggest source of indoor water use.” For that reason, monitoring your toilet for leaks can save you a lot of money down the line. There are two ways to do this:
- Sound: When you walk into the bathroom is it quiet, or is there a small hissing noise coming from the toilet? If it’s the latter, you might have a leak.
- Dye Test: Take dye, like food coloring or a dye tablet, and take the hood off of the tank of the toilet and drop in the dye. After waiting 15-20 minutes, if the dye has made its way to the bowl of the toilet, you have a leak!
- Irrigation - After our harsh Maine winters, many people are excited to help their lawn look green again with an irrigation system. This outdoor system uses a lot of water and potential leaks are likely. To avoid this problem, check your lawn for damp spots, which could indicate a budding leak from your irrigation system. Unfortunately, these can be tough to solve on your own, and you should consult EcoClean for your next steps.
- Outdated Appliances - We have a bounty of beautiful, older homes here in New England but the downside is they are typically equipped with older appliances. Although some of the newer pieces of equipment can be expensive for your home, the newer appliances are furnished with updated water saving technologies. If you notice some of your equipment seems outdated and your water bill is higher than you'd like, it may be time to upgrade some of your fixtures.
Make it a habit to continually check your appliances and plumbing. This maintenance can help you spot where you are using too much water. EcoClean specializes in cleaning and preventative maintenance, and we will spot and fix the problem for you! Call us at 207-274-7042 to make an appointment.
