How to Save Money on Your Water Bills This Summer

We all want to save money on our water bills, but we don’t want to be inconvenienced, Here are a few ways to save water without even noticing it! And so you know, summertime is when we waste the most water!

• For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap.
• This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
• Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
• Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
• Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
• Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
• If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.
• Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
• If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
• Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.

Follow these simple tips and soon you’ll notice a difference in your water bill!

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas That Won't Break The Bank

If you enjoy spending time soaking in your tub, or you simply like spending time in your bathroom, updating your bathroom is important. If you have been putting it off because of money, there are some inexpensive bathroom updates that can make a major difference.

Here are some easy, inexpensive ideas that pack a lot of punch.

• Fresh coat of Paint. Cover your painted walls with a fresh coat of paint to change the look of your bathroom. Select a paint color that is totally different from your current color to ensure that your change is an obvious one.
• Rack Replacement. Replace your existing towel racks and toilet paper roll holder to revamp the look of your space.
• New Mirror. Replacing a mirror is one of the easiest of the inexpensive bathroom updates you can tackle.
• Updating Lighting. If you shop smart you can get a new lighting fixture for a prominent space in your bathroom at a reasonable price.
• Shower Curtain. If your shower curtain is old, replacing it with a new one can make a huge difference without costing you much money.
• These are five easy and inexpensive ways to transform your bathroom into a beautiful sanctuary without overspending!

Make Your Home Summer Heat Ready

Summer is here, luckily we’re not quite in the triple digit temperatures just yet. Before it gets super hot, you might want to check that you and the house are ready for the summer heat. That means you start by checking your home’s heat and air-conditioning system.

Here are five ways to make sure you are prepared to handle extreme heat.

1. To begin, change your filters in your heating/cooling system. Change them regularly, at least monthly.
2. Next change your thermostat over to “cool” and test the system by turning the temperature down. If the air conditioner does not turn on, first check to make sure no breakers are tripped. If you can’t figure out the problem, call your heating and air-conditioning repair person. Calling now may keep you from making an “emergency” call when the temperatures are soaring and the repair people are super busy and expensive.
3. If your cooling system turns on, make sure it is putting out adequate cooling. If it’s not, and you can’t figure out the problem, call your heating and air-conditioning repair person. Set the thermostat at 78 degrees.
4. If your air conditioner needs replacement do it now before the triple digit temps come, that’s when heating & air-conditioning repair people get the busiest.
5. Lastly, your air ducts may need testing for leaks and then sealed. Your attic insulation probably has compacted, so you need to add an additional 5 to 8 inches. Your windows and doors and other parts of the building envelope may need caulking and weather stripping. Think about solar window film to keep out the heat. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to kick back and stay cool!

How To Easily Make Your Old Toilet More Water Efficient

If you really want to save water, experts say you need to stop using the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. Some people flush away tissues and other bits of trash in the toilet. Using a wastebasket will save all those gallons of water that otherwise go wastefully down the drain. Most toilets installed before 1980 use 5-7 gallons of water per flush. Toilets installed between 1980 and 1993 use 3.5 gallons per flush. Toilets installed since 1994 use 1.6 gallons. If you think about it, 1.6 gallons is still a big improvement, but that’s a lot of water for one flush.

Does your toilet ever make noises when it is not in use? A toilet with even a small leak can greatly increase your water bill. To check your toilet for leaks, put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank, and wait ten minutes. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl, you have a leak, which should be repaired immediately.

Plumbers say there is no definite answer on how long the parts in your toilet tank should last? Replaceable parts such as flappers and washers or seals inside the refill valve may last several years. However, factors such as water treatment processes, toilet bowl cleaners, and high water pressure can cause parts to disintegrate much sooner.