People move to Florida to be close to the beaches and enjoy warm weather year-round. However, this luxurious lifestyle can come at a high cost - especially when it comes to energy and water bills. While your water bill likely isn’t your most expensive utility, it is one that you can easily save money on by making small, simple changes.
Here are 6 ways to reduce your water bill in Florida.
1. Install an Energy-Efficient Hot Water Heater
If your water heater requires a lot of energy to heat your water, you’ll not only see a higher electric bill, but you could see a higher water bill as well. The longer your water takes to heat up, the longer you will run your faucet and your shower waiting for it to heat up. This can drive up your water bill.
Consider using a tankless heater that only warms the water you are using, which can save substantially more water than conventional water heaters. You can also look for a water heater with an Energy Star label that details how much energy the tank will use.
2. Only Run The Dishwasher and Laundry Machine When They Are Full
Running your dishwasher when it is only half full will increase the number of times you have to run it. Instead, wait until your dishwasher is completely full before running it. Fewer loads will help reduce your water bill in your Florida home.
The same idea goes for your laundry. Don’t run your washing machine if it isn’t full. While it can be tempting to do small loads throughout the week, you’ll save water and money by only washing clothes when you have a full load of dirty laundry.
3. Install Low-Flow Toilets and Shower Heads in Your Home
Residential toilets account for nearly 30% of your home’s water consumption. As a result, one major way to reduce your water bill in Florida is to make sure you have low-flow toilets in your home.
Low-flow toilets use either gravity or pressure-assistance to help clear waste and minimize the amount of water used. While older toilets use between 3.5 and 7 gallons of water each time you flush, low-flow toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush.
If you live in an older South Florida home, you may not have a low-flow toilet. A Pompano Beach plumber can help you install one. And, they can even install a low-flow showerhead in your shower to save even more money on your water bill.
4. Reduce Your Shower Time
According to Sun-Sentinel, reducing your shower time can save you as much as $5 a month on your water bill. This is because showers are responsible for nearly one-third of your households’ water use.
Taking shorter showers will also help reduce the amount of electricity needed to heat the water in your shower, saving you even more money on your bills. Shaving off just 1-2 minutes can go a long way when it comes to saving money!
If you want to take your shower savings a step further, you can try turning off the water completely while you are lathering your body or hair or shaving. Then, you turn the water back on when it is time to rinse off. This will help save even more water.
5. Inspect All Appliances and Repair Any Leaks or Drips
An important step you can take to reduce your water bill in Florida is to regularly inspect your appliances for leaks and drips. Even a small leak or slow drip can waste more than 3,000 gallons each year. Undetected leaks and drips will inevitably increase your water bill.
As soon as you find a leak or dripping faucet, contact a Pompano Beach plumber. The faster you get your appliances repaired, the more money you will save.
6. Replace Your Appliances With Ones That Are Energy Star Certified
When it comes time to replace your appliances, be sure to replace them with Energy Star certified appliances. Energy Star is the government-backed symbol that indicates energy efficiency and credible information.
According to their website, Energy Star and its partners have helped Americans save $35 billion in energy costs, and their appliances can help you reduce your Florida water bill, too.
Start Saving Money on Your Florida Water Bill Today
Whether you need a new water heater installed, have a washing machine that is leaking, or need to upgrade your appliances, Sam Jolley’s Plumbing can help.
If you’re not satisfied with our workmanship it is free. If you find a fully licensed and insured company that provides a quote to perform the same work with equal materials within 30 days after we complete your job, we will refund you the difference. It’s a win-win situation.
Contact us today to start saving money on your water bill.
