Being homeowner in Australia means you pay a water bill twice yearly. If you’ve noticed it rising year on year, there are many simple ways you can use to lower costs. Even small changes can add up and it starts by making your whole family aware of what they’re using. Let’s take a look at some simple tips for saving money on your water bill.
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Use Water Efficient Appliances
Many of the new washing machines and dishwashers have a high energy and water efficiency rating. Make sure you check for this rating before you upgrade. While you may pay a bit more up-front for efficient appliances, you’ll save on costs further down the line.
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Water Saving Shower Head
Water efficient shower heads use 9 litres of water a minute and regular models can use up to 20 litres! That’s a staggering difference so you can see the savings you could make there. By switching to a water efficient shower head, you’ll save money on water consumption and hot water energy costs.
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Fix Any Known Leaks
It may seem obvious, but often leaks go un-detected for years meaning money and water is going down the drain. By ignoring that leaky faucet, an estimated 3,000 litres of water is wasted a year. If you notice your water metre ticking over, even when no water is visibly being used, you could have a leak. Call in a plumber to check your pipes.
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Recycle Water to Use in The Garden
Your garden is thirsty all year round and especially in hot Australian summers. Save water by re-using old water from your day to day activities. Some ways to re-use water are;
- Direct washing machine water to your garden
- Install a rainwater tank
- Save and re-use cooking water
- Use old bath water in the garden
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Install a Faucet Aerator
A faucet aerator cuts water usage from the tap by half. 95% of taps are suitable to have aerators fixed onto them and they work by reducing water flow but still keeping the same pressure. Expert plumbers report that aerators can save up to 1,274 litres of water monthly.
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Shorten Your Showers
Another simple water saving method, but one that really makes a difference. It’s easy to zone out in the shower and not actually realise how long you’re in there for. Try setting a timer for 4 or 5 minutes and challenge yourself to get your shower done in that time.
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Upgrade Your Toilet
New toilet models save a lot of water per flush. If you have the money, replace your old toilet with a water efficient model. Other options are;
- Install an adjustable flapper which adjusts flush volume
- Talk to your local plumber about installing a fill cycle diverter. This sends overflow water back to the tank
- Install a dual flush which gives you an option of a water saving half flush