From leaky faucets and pipes to old appliances, here are five changes that you can make to save money on your water bill.

1. Install Water Aerators on Sink Faucets

Water aerators are inexpensive, easy to install, and prevent you from wasting excess sink water. How? Their mesh-like screen creates a smooth, controlled stream of water as it flows out of the faucet so that water only lands on your toothbrush, hands, dishes, or whatever else you have directly underneath the faucet. If you have any unruly sinks in your home (you know, the ones where water seems to spray in all directions), consider installing a water aerator to get that faucet under control.

You may also want to consider installing a faucet with detachable spray heads and filter spouts to give you even more control over where your sink sends water.

2. Repair or Replace Leaky Pipes and Faucets

Leaky pipes and faucets are where wasted water can really add up, especially if you take into account any damage that might result from a water leak. Mold, damaged drywall, damaged furniture, and a damaged yard are all things you might have to pay to fix if you let a water leak go on for too long.

So how do you know if you’ve got a leak? Here are some things to look and listen for:

• • Unusually high water bills
  • Cracks in pavement or tiles
  • Damp wallpaper or water spots
  • Sounds of water trickling behind walls, ceilings, and under cabinets
  • Drops in water pressure
  • Mold

If you want to know for sure whether you have a leak in your home or not, you can always call John Moore at (713) 730-2525 for a plumbing inspection.

If you know that you have leaks in your home, it might be time for a partial or whole-home repipe. John Moore uses PEX pipes, which are durable and less expensive to install than any other piping material. While this renovation might cost you up front, you will most likely save money in the long run.

3. Install Sprinklers with Rain Sensors

If your home has timer-activated sprinklers but no rain sensors, then you might be wasting water whenever it rains—which can be fairly often in Houston. Rain sensors will automatically skip a sprinkler cycle if they detect rainfall or moisture in your yard. No need to pay to water your yard when nature has you covered for free!

4. Get Low-Flush or Dual-Flush Toilets

You might be surprised to learn how much water people flush down the drain. Older toilets flush about 3.6 gallons per flush, and the average person flushes about 18.8 gallons per day. That means the average family of four flushes over 27,000 gallons of water a year if their home has traditional toilets. That’s a lot of water!

A low-flush toilet that flushes about 1.5 gallons per flush could help you save thousands of gallons of water a year, which will have an impact on your water bill. Dual flush toilets can help you save even more by letting you flush the appropriate amount of water for either liquid or solid waste.

5. Replace Your Washers with Energy Efficient Models

Washing machines and dishwashers have come a long way in recent years. If you’re still using a washer from the 90s or even the 00s, you might be using twice as much water as needed and they still might not work as well as newer models. In 2012, new efficiency standards were implemented for washing machines and dishwashers that vastly reduced water use and improved quality. Front-load washing machines, in particular, are for more efficient than top-loading washers, which use more than twice as much water! When shopping for a new washing machine or appliance, look for the Energy Star® logo!

Let John Moore Help You Save this Year!

Let’s face it-- the average homeowner doesn’t think much about their home’s water systems until there’s a problem. But you’re not the average homeowner; you value the impact that home upgrades have on you and your family’s life. Whether it’s a repipe, repair, or an entire kitchen or bathroom renovation, John Moore can help you stress less and make the most out of the way you use water throughout the day.

If you’re interested in making some water saving renovations, give us a call at (713) 730-2525 or set up an appointment online.