Plumbing Services: Ways To Save Money On Water Bills | Mesa, AZ
Due to climate change, water scarcity is no more a distant threat. But you do not need to go out of your way to help protect the environment and conserve water. You can do simple things right in your home in Mesa, AZ. And the good part is that you will also save money on water and energy bills.
Many think of plumbing service providers only as people who come to fix something broken. But plumbers are so much more. Below you will find ways a plumber can help you save on your water bill.
Leak Detection and Repair
You might think that a dripping faucet doesn’t significantly impact your water bill. But those little leaks can amount to 10,000 gallons of water a year for just one household. Multiply that by the more than 11 million homes in the United States, and you have 1 trillion gallons of water that go to waste annually.
A dripping faucet can waste 3,000 gallons of water a year, and a leaky showerhead 500 gallons. A cracked irrigation pipe accounts for another 6,300 gallons of water you do not use but must pay for every month.
Sometimes fixing leaks can be as simple as tightening a faucet head. But most leaks are not that obvious. A plumbing service provider has different tools to detect leaks in walls, crawlspaces, and underground. The technician can also install a leak detection system that will alert you of leaks anywhere in your house. Some systems can even shut off the water if abnormal water flow is detected.
Installation of Water-Efficient Appliances
Washing accounts for about 17 percent of the average household’s water use. ENERGY STAR-certified washing machines use 30 percent less water than regular washing machines. Over the lifetime of an energy-saving dishwasher, you can save about 3,800 gallons of water.
In addition, 50 percent of the water used for irrigation is wasted due to inefficient watering systems. You can save 5,600 gallons of water with WaterSense-labeled spray sprinklers. Some plumbing service providers offer irrigation system installs. So be sure to check with your local plumber in Mesa, AZ.
Faucet and Showerhead Replacements
Standard faucets have a flow rate of 2.2 gallons per minute, while water-efficient fixtures have a rate of 1.5 gallons per minute or less. If your kitchen and bathroom faucets are new and do not need replacement, you can simply exchange the aerator with a WaterSense-labeled product. This simple change can save you 700 gallons of water a year. That is as much as 45 showers.
Showers make up a large part of a household’s daily water usage. Water-saving showerheads use no more than 2 gallons of water per minute, as opposed to 2.5 gallons of water in standard models.
Some might think that this decreased water flow will affect the quality of their showers. But for a product to earn the WaterSense label, it must show that the spray force and coverage are similar, if not better, than conventional models.
The replacement of a faucet or showerhead may seem pretty easy. But for a proper installation and to avoid leaks, call your local plumbing service expert.
Toilet Repair and Replacement
The toilet is another fixture that wastes a lot of water. Worn-out flappers are usually the main reason why toilets leak. Toilet flappers are responsible for starting and stopping the flushing process. When these rubber parts wear out, they won’t be able to close off the pipe that leads into the bowl. Replacing toilet flappers can be messy and is best left to a plumbing service expert.
Toilets are more likely to leak and are also the main source of water use in a home, accounting for up to 30 percent or more. Older toilets use six enormous gallons of water per flush.
Federal standards require that newer models use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush. Some water-saving models can do with 1.28 gallons or less while still being efficient.
Replacing an old toilet with a water-efficient one shows the highest cost savings. They can save you 13,000 gallons of water a year and reduce costs by $140. If you think you can save even more by replacing a toilet yourself, you need to know that a lot can go wrong if you do not have the experience and skills.
Besides, the cost of hiring a plumbing service technician is nothing compared to the potential problems resulting from an improper installation.
Greywater and Rainwater Collection
Greywater is wastewater from your washing machine or bathroom sink and can be reused to flush your toilets. Collected rainwater can have many different uses.
Though primarily used for irrigation, a plumbing services provider can install a system that lets you use the water for washing clothes and other non-potable uses.
Regular Maintenance
Instead of waiting for something to stop working or a plumbing disaster to ruin your day, you should have a plumbing service provider regularly inspect the system. The technician will be able to detect leaks and other issues before you start seeing changes in your water bill.
And while you might have some successful DIY projects in your arsenal, plumbing problems should be left to the professionals. Most insurance companies will not cover DIY repairs if anything goes wrong and you need insurance.
Want to Know More About Ways to Save Water in Your Home? Ask Schroeder Plumbing!
Schroeder Plumbing is one of the most trusted plumbing services providers in Mesa, AZ. We have been serving our clients for more than 40 years and are known for our quality work. If you are in need of quality plumbing that is done right the first time, give us a call today.
