If you’re like most homeowners, you’re always looking for ways to save money. Rather than cutting back on things you enjoy, there’s a good chance you could improve your finances by making a few plumbing-related changes. It’s very possible that you’re spending more on water, electricity, and plumbing repairs than you need to be. By implementing a few simple tips, you could put extra money in your pocket without sacrificing your comfort or lifestyle.
1. Lower the Water Heater Temperature
After spending time in the sand at Harbor Cove or Marina Park Beach, you likely enjoy coming home to have a hot shower. To do this, you rely on a functioning and properly set water heater. Although most water heaters are set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit by default, they don’t necessarily need to be that high.
If you lower yours to 120 or 130 degrees, you’ll still be able to use hot water when you need it, but you’ll save quite a bit of money. In fact, by lowering the temperature by 20 degrees, your energy costs should decrease by approximately 10%. Over several months, that can add up to some significant savings.
2. Check for Leaks Regularly
Your Ventura, CA household may be harboring plumbing leaks without you being aware of them. Although these hidden leaks may be small, they could still be losing lots of water over time. And if you allow leaks in your home to linger for months or years, it can make a huge difference when it comes to your water bills.
If you want to avoid this, you should periodically check your household for signs of plumbing leaks. You can do this yourself, but if you want a thorough inspection conducted, you can always enlist our leak detection services at Advanced Plumbing & Leak Detection.
3. Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
Plumbing repairs typically aren’t cheap. So, one surefire way to save some money is by eliminating habits that increase the likelihood of plumbing problems occurring in your home. One example is avoiding the use of chemical drain cleaning products.
Many of these chemicals can be harmful to your piping, and if you use them regularly, you could end up having to pay for costly pipe repair or replacement. Instead, you should clean your drains by snaking them or investing in hydro jetting. These methods will be effective and extremely unlikely to cause any damage.
4. Invest in a Water Softener
If you don’t have a water-softening system, there’s a good chance you have hard water flowing through your household. Hard water contains the minerals calcium and magnesium, which can leave behind a nasty residue called scale in your pipes and appliances. Over time, that scale can build up and cause a variety of problems.
It can not only clog or damage your pipes, but it can also worsen the efficiency and health of your water heater, laundry machine, and dishwasher. However, if you purchase a water softener, it will remove those hazardous mineral ions from the water before it can cause damage to your plumbing system. That will save you quite a bit of money on energy bills and repair costs in the long run.
Go With Trusted Plumbing Professionals
By following these tips, you can ensure that your home’s plumbing system stays as healthy and efficient as possible. Ultimately, that will make a massive difference in your finances by preventing problems and wasted energy. Another way you can keep your plumbing in good shape is by enlisting the services of reliable plumbing professionals.
In the greater Ventura area, you can always count on our team at Advanced Plumbing & Leak Detection for all your plumbing needs. Give us a call today to learn more or schedule an appointment!