Some of the most expensive utility water bills in the United States are endured on a monthly basis by residents of Santee, a municipality that happens to be part of San Diego County. According to a 2017 survey published by the American Water Works Association, residents of San Diego pay twice as much as the national average of $80 per month. Since the Southern California region is known to experience water shortages and long drought periods, San Diego residents shouldn’t be surprised to learn that increases are planned for the future, especially when considering water rates have climbed by more than 400 percent since the early 1980s. If you live in a downtown San Diego condo and your monthly water bill accounts for half of your monthly utility bills, excluding broadband internet service and cable television, you could save a couple of hundred dollars each year with the following recommendations.
1. Invest in Water-Saving Fittings
Since 2009, changes to three sections of the California Civil Code have promulgated the installation and retrofit conversions of residential toilets as part of a statewide water conservation measure. Chances are you already have a low-flow toilet installed in your San Diego loft or condo unit, but you can always install more water-saving devices such as efficient showerheads and faucet aerators.
2. Become Water-Conscious in the Bathroom
Letting the water flow from the tap while brushing your teeth is a wasteful practice that’s relatively easy to avoid. We’re talking about saving about a gallon per minute if you turn the tap off. Taking long and luxuriant showers is a harder habit to break. However, it really pays off to stop or reduce the water flow while you’re lathering.
3. Evaluate Energy-Efficient Appliances
Energy Star home appliances aren’t only rated for their low electricity consumption. In the case of washing machines and dishwashers, they’re also rated in terms of water savings. For example, a top-loading washing machine such as the Whirlpool WTW4915EW doesn’t use too much water. As for dishwashers, look for those that use no more than three gallons, which is the threshold that makes them more efficient than washing dishes by hand.
4. Keep Cool Water in the Refrigerator
If you’re used to running the tap for a few seconds for the purpose of collecting cool drinking water, a better idea is to keep a gallon or more of water in the refrigerator. In this fashion, you can fill each jug with about 15 glasses of cool water and save about a gallon of water per week.
5. Plan on Doing Your Laundry More Efficiently
The best way to save water when doing the laundry is to always wash a full load to avoid midweek washes. Planning your wardrobe for a full week makes it easier to reach a full load without having to wash favorite outfits more than once. To save even more water, you can also use a similar full load approach when running the dishwasher.
If you’re interested in purchasing San Diego real estate, downtown is full of amazing condos, lofts, and penthouses for sale. Before you begin your search, make sure you have the help of a trusted agent from 92101 Urban Living. Give us a call today at 619-649-0368 to schedule an appointment.