Congratulations on your first home — and the onslaught of never-ending utility bills that come along with homeownership. The usual utility bills are easy to figure out: energy, internet, garbage. But what about water and sewage? Is water and sewer on the same bill? Learn about this specific utility in this helpful guide — and figure out how to cut down on consumption all around!
Sewer Charge vs. Water Charge
Water that comes out of the faucets in your home is charged to your water bill, while anything that goes down the drain is considered a sewer charge. Both of these charges are typically determined by the gallon.
While most water utility companies separate the two utilities, others will charge one lump-sum for both services. If your utility company bills them collectively, check your invoice, find the itemized section, and search for words like “sewage,” “treatment,” and “collection.”
How to Reduce Your Sewer Bill
You may notice that your sewer charge is often more expensive than your water charge. Simple influxes in water consumption can cause a spike in your sewer bill — extra people in your household, a leak, more frequent laundry, etc.
Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to combat this. Try these simple tactics to reduce wastewater usage and save money on your next bill.
Take Shorter Showers
Sure it’s nice to stand under a hot shower for minutes on end, but you may not be doing yourself any favors when it comes to your sewer bill. The average shower uses around 15.8 gallons of water and lasts for approximately 7.8 minutes. Talk about money going down the drain.
If possible, set a timer and limit your shower use to no more than five minutes. For extra savings, try turning the water off while you lather and turn it back on to rinse off. Is that a little extreme? Perhaps, but those small steps can lead up to big savings in the end.
Do Laundry Less Frequently
Nobody likes doing laundry, so do yourself — and your sewer bill — a massive favor by washing larger loads less frequently. Standard washing machines use up to 40 gallons of water per load, and even high-efficiency washers still use between 15 and 30 gallons for each load. That’s a lot of wastewater!
Instead of just washing a couple of shirts and a pair of pants at a time, designate one day each week as “laundry day” and opt for larger loads. By doing this, you’ll produce less wastewater which equals less work for you. Clean clothes and a lower sewer bill? That’s a total win-win.
Only Run a Full Dishwasher
Dishwashers use about four to six gallons of water per cycle. That may not sound like much, but it can quickly add up! And if you think that washing dishes by hand would cause less wastewater, that’s not the case. The average faucet pumps out between three to five gallons a minute.
Wait until your dishwasher is full before running a cycle. The fewer loads you run, the less your sewer bill will be. And, if you have to wash something by hand, try filling up the sink instead of running water while you scrub.
How to Reduce Your Water Bill
When it comes to reducing your water bill, many of the same tactics apply — take shorter showers, do laundry less frequently, and run a full dishwasher whenever possible. However, there are a few other things you can do to reduce that water bill charge.
Fix Leaky Faucets
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a single drop per second from a leaky faucet can lead to 2,082 gallons of wastewater per year. The good news is that you can often go to your local hardware store, gather the necessary supplies, and if you’re handy, fix the leak yourself. If not, contacting a plumber can cost you a bit upfront but can help save you cash in the long run.
Upgrade Your Washing Machine
Consider purchasing a more efficient washing machine. On average, washing machines account for about 16 percent of total water usage in a household. By upgrading to an EnergyStar model, for example, you’re likely to use 33 percent less water than regular washers.
Tip: When deciding which model to get, consider opting for a front-loading machine rather than a top-loading one, as they typically run on less water.
Convert Your Toilets to Low Flow
While the best option is to replace the toilet you already have with a more energy-efficient model, converting your current one to low flow is also a great alternative. Upgrading a 3.5-gallon toilet to a low-flush 1.6-gallon model can reduce toilet water usage by 54 percent. If you’re handy and want to do it yourself, there are simple tutorials. Otherwise, pay a bit more for a plumber and watch the savings roll in.
Even More Ways to Save
Another fantastic way to save as a new homeowner is on home furnishings. Instead of going to a big box store, taking out a credit card, and spending thousands on furnishing your new home, visit CORT Furniture Outlet.
You’ll find discounted furniture pieces and sets at a fraction of retail prices that you can take home same-day! Browse online or visit your local CORT Furniture Outlet and see what our ever-changing inventory has to offer you today!
