How not to overpay for water: ways to save wisely

Monthly utility bills are a reason for additional frustration! It seems that the amounts in them are constantly growing! Like it or not, you have to think about how and what to save on. Remember the stories about how Europeans save? Now we won’t laugh at them, because it’s time to learn from them!

Let's start with water. Let's learn to spend it sparingly. To do this, you will have to check the condition of your home plumbing.

How plumbing relates to water consumption

Even babies understand that so much water flows out of a dripping tap in a year that it is enough to bathe a couple of elephants.

Plumbing condition and water meter readings

Practice shows that Even seemingly good plumbing does not always hold water well. Therefore, it won’t hurt to check its condition once again.

Toilet

Advice! You can check if the tank is leaking using colored deodorizing tablets for the tank drain.

If after some time, when you have not flushed the water, traces of paint appear in the toilet, it means that the shut-off valves are not performing their function 100%.

Tap

The occasional dripping faucet in the kitchen does not, at first glance, cause concern.

Important! Economists have calculated: over the course of a year, drops from a leaking tap accumulate in a couple of tens of cubic meters. That is, the owners of a dripping tap pay an additional monthly standard.

Counter

Even in a kitchen and bathroom equipped with technical innovations, it is the water meter that disciplines us the most. But it also causes a lot of criticism.

Ideally counters should “spin” only when the taps are open. If, after stopping water intake, the meter continues to work, it’s time to call specialists.

Reference! The work on installing the meter pays off within a few months. Current water consumption standards for apartments without installed metering devices exceed the actual consumption by at least 2 times.

If, when checking the condition of the plumbing, you are convinced that there is a need to replace any elements or the entire system, you should buy not what you like visually, but what will be beneficial in use.

Plumbing that helps you save

The plumbing market allows everyone to choose devices that are suitable in price and consumer characteristics:

• Combination toilets, having two buttons on the tank: for maximum and for economical drainage of water.

• Lever mixers for kitchen and bathroom. They shut off the water more reliably and require less time to adjust the temperature.

• Motion sensor faucets. As soon as an object is out of range of the infrared sensor built into the mixer, the water supply immediately stops.

• An aerator attachment for the faucet that reduces water consumption about three times. Although the pressure remains the same.

Reference! The “fantastic” effect of the aerator is achieved by mixing water with air.

• One click water switches. They are made in the form of a faucet attachment that limits the flow time of water. They are somewhat reminiscent of a village washstand, but they cost many times more.

How to use water sparingly

It’s stupid to think that just installing new plumbing is enough to save money. It is important to treat water yourself with care, to use only the amount that is really necessary.

In the kitchen

Think about why you should leave the tap open while when the table surface is wiped. The volume of water flowing out in this short period of time was enough for our ancestors who used wells to wash dishes once!

Reference! In 1 minute, approximately 10 liters flow out of an open tap. Is it worth paying these costs?

Definitely very economical washing dishes in a fully loaded dishwasher. What about without her? Things are not so happy here: it takes a bucket to wash one plate under running water! But I don’t want to wash it the old fashioned way in a basin either.

Advice! The optimal solution is a sink with two bowls for washing and rinsing. In combination with an aerator, the savings are even more noticeable.

In addition to cleaning and washing dishes, there are other needs related to water consumption: washing vegetables, defrosting meat, preparing food and drinks.

Practical housewives do this: wash vegetables in a bowl, and defrost meat products at natural temperature.

In the bathroom

There are even more options for economical water use here. The most uncomfortable methods we use when cold water is turned off are: washing in a basin and brushing your teeth with one glass of “precious” liquid. In some European countries, daily hygiene procedures look almost the same, differing only in the presence of a stopper for the sink.

Another way - turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.

Reference! This manipulation alone saves approximately 30 liters of water. In terms of a two-time procedure within a month, this is 1800 liters! For a family of 4 people this is 7200 liters monthly.

Equally effective in reducing costs refusal of a bath in favor of a shower. The benefit is at least 30 liters. Reduces consumption even further a water-saving shower head or a shower head with small holes.

Also reduces hot water consumption electric water heaters. And you can turn them on at night, when electricity tariffs are not so high.

A logical question: why do you need a water heater in an apartment with hot water supply? It turns out that its acquisition is profitable and justified.

Important! Even taking into account the cost of electricity, hot water from a water heater is cheaper. And during the season when hot water is turned off, there are no inconveniences or restrictions.

We don't even have to talk about the toilet. The combined drain is 2 times more economical than the usual one. By the way, the so-called “smart” toilet, contrary to popular belief, consumes approximately the same displacement.

Important! A small drain with a volume of 3–4 liters is a threshold value, less than which it is impossible to comply with sanitary standards.

Is it worth using the folk method to save money - putting a brick in the tank so that less water can fit in, decide for yourself!

Why you shouldn't save illegally

How to save is a matter of conscience for every resident. But there are several reasons why illegal saving is not the best way out of a situation with high water consumption.

Firstly, conscientious payers suffer, since fees for unaccounted resources are charged to all residents.

Secondly, this a deception that will sooner or later be revealed. In this case, the result of “savings” will be disastrous! Instead of an unpleasant but manageable utility bill, you can get a significant fine, or even a real prison term.

Reference! According to the Code of Administrative Offences, the fine for fraudulent schemes ranges from 10 to 15 thousand, and for criminal offenses - up to 2 years in prison.

Again about tariffs: You will still have to pay for illegally used resources! Only according to current standards and prices for the entire period that has passed since the last meter verification. 30 days are allotted for repayment.

So it’s easier and safer to make adjustments to your own habits. In just a few weeks they will become a way of life and will not cause any noticeable discomfort.