The fastest way to lower your home’s water use is to fix leaks, especially running toilets and dripping faucets, and then upgrade older fixtures to water-efficient models. Simple habits, like running full loads and watering the lawn early in the morning, add up too.
Start With Leaks
Leaks waste water every hour of the day, even when no one is home. A toilet with a worn flapper can leak into the bowl silently. A slow drip at a faucet adds up over weeks. Your water meter can help here: with every tap and appliance off, the small leak dial should sit still.
Put a few drops of food coloring in each toilet tank and wait 15 minutes without flushing. Color in the bowl means the flapper needs attention.
Upgrade Older Fixtures
- Toilets made before the 1990s often use far more water per flush than newer models
- Low-flow showerheads can cut water use without a weak spray
- Faucet aerators reduce flow at sinks
- Newer washers and dishwashers often use less water per load
Look for the EPA WaterSense label on toilets, showerheads, and faucets. These products are tested for both water savings and performance.
Everyday Habits
Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when full. Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth. Keep showers a little shorter. Outdoors, water early in the morning when less water evaporates, and check sprinkler heads for leaks or overspray onto pavement.
Watch Your Bill
Comparing bills from month to month and year to year can help you spot changes. Summer bills often run higher because of lawn watering, so compare the same seasons. A sudden jump without a change in habits often points to a leak.
If your bill stays high after these steps, finding a hidden leak may be the answer. For help choosing water-saving fixtures, you can ask a plumber for recommendations by calling (833) 603-1840.