The average Wisconsinite uses over 80 gallons of water a day. Per-person usage can be twice that or even higher throughout the summer. Households use more water in summertime for lawn care, vehicles, pools, and many other outdoor activities. At Hurlburt, we help households throughout the Chippewa Valley and beyond lower their usage without sacrificing comfort. Let’s explore some of the ways we can help your family do that as well.
Whole-Home Plumbing Inspection & Leak Detection
Most leaks aren’t major events like burst pipes. Hidden leaks cost Eau Claire County homeowners millions annually. Even something as simple as a running toilet can cost you $50 to $200 a month. We encourage homeowners to schedule annual plumbing inspections. Early spring is a great time to book an appointment. Our plumbers can identify any deterioration and correct it before it becomes an expensive problem. If you have a leak, no matter how small, we’ll pinpoint it and perform a reliable repair.
Economical Outdoor Water Usage
Take care with your outdoor water usage, as there’s great potential for waste and higher bills. Reduced water usage outdoors often begins with wise landscaping choices that inherently require less water. Consider investing in rainwater collection to limit your use of your water supply. Irrigate your lawn deeply but less often. Maintain a higher grass height, and use mulch to protect areas without grass. Consider installing a rain sensor on your property. It will inform you when watering is and isn’t necessary. Invest in a power washer to save money when cleaning your vehicles, house, and other items on your property.
Improved Drinking Water
It’s important to think about your water bill beyond what comes out of your taps. The average household spends hundreds to thousands annually on bottled water. Many surveyed Wisconsin families reported they did so because of water quality concerns. That’s a shame when you consider that a reverse osmosis (RO) system would cost a lot less over the years. That makes it a great option for families in towns like Baldwin and River Falls seeking to balance comfort with conservation.
An RO system is a type of water purifier that forces water through a semipermeable membrane. That process removes over 99% of impurities, including pathogens. We can connect your RO system to one or more taps throughout your home. That way, you’ll always have access to clean and healthy water. Some consumers have concerns over water efficiency, and it’s true that RO systems use more water than they provide. Still, RO systems that earn WaterSense certification limit that waste significantly. Also, even the most inefficient RO systems waste less water than it takes to process and bottle store-bought drinking water.
Softer Water
Many properties in the region have moderately hard or even harder water. Hard water can decrease the efficiency of water heaters and other appliances. It can cause washing machines and dishwashers to use more water. Limescale leads to pipe and fixture deterioration and thus leaks. Scale also causes detergent inefficiency and promotes drainage clogs. The solution is a whole-house water softener. You won’t see an immediate impact on your water bill. Yet, a water softener will save you significant money over the life of the equipment.
Toilets
Toilets can represent as much as 50% of the average household’s total water use. That’s why toilet repairs and upgrades are often among the fastest and most effective ways to lower your water bill. Consider that toilets manufactured before 1992 can use as much as 7 gallons per flush. That’s when the federal government set the standard to 1.6 gallons per flush.
Our customers also have the option of high-efficiency toilets (HETs). HETs use 1.28 gallons or less and can save the average household approximately $2,000 over the life of each toilet. Many HETs are dual-flush models. One handle provides full flushing power while the other lowers water consumption by about half. Some HETs have integrated bidets as well. Bidets won’t have a noticeable effect on your water bill either way. That said, bidets lower toilet paper use, and the toilet paper manufacturing process wastes a significant amount of water.
Showerheads
The average shower uses around 17 gallons of water. For the average family, that can really add up, especially in summer when people take more showers. One way to make a notable difference is to upgrade to low-flow showerheads. Federal standards let showerheads use as much as 2.5 gallons per minute. Low-flow showerheads use 2.0 gallons or less. Consumers are often concerned that low flow means low water pressure, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Many experts recommend products with WaterSense certification. That’s because the EPA evaluates the user experience as well as the water efficiency.
Faucets
Low-flow aerators can lower faucet water usage while improving the feel of the water pressure by mixing in air as the water runs. Many low-flow showerheads use that technique as well. You can upgrade existing faucets with aerators or purchase new fixtures with integrated low-flow aerators. Touchless faucets conserve even more water while preserving a more hygienic environment. There are also smart faucets that can turn off automatically.
Tankless Water Heater
An on-demand water heater uses significantly less energy because it only heats water when you need it. Tankless models improve comfort because they provide a virtually endless hot water supply. They also use less water. Since they don’t store water in a tank, there’s less loss through evaporation and condensation.
Other Appliance Upgrades
The EPA doesn’t limit ENERGY STAR certification standards to just electricity and fuel usage. Water-using appliances must meet its standards for water conservation as well. Washing machines are the top water use among major appliances in homes. Standard washing machines use 20 gallons per load whereas ENERGY STAR models use only 14. Dishwashers are notable too, as ENERGY STAR models use 30% less water than their standard counterparts.
Contact Your Water Company
Call your water company or explore their online presence. Many local water companies have conservation programs with resources and promotions. If your water company offers high-usage alerts, it may require you to opt in. You should also contact your provider whenever filling a pool or other large container. Most companies are charging you for the sewage and not the water itself. By contacting them, you can often get a discount for that particular usage.
Water-Efficient Plumbing Upgrades in Wisconsin
Hurlburt has over 65 years of experience helping families maximize their comfort while using less water. We have locations in Eau Claire, Hudson, Menomonie, and River Falls, WI. Our licensed plumbers are available for inspections, maintenance, and repairs. We also perform new installations and system replacements. Take advantage of our Rewards Club, and we have Wisconsin-specific specials to help you save even more. We offer free online estimates. For installations, we offer free in-person quotes and flexible financing on approved credit.
Call today or contact us online with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
