If you live in a region that is affected by a drought then you’re probably trying to do everything in your power to save on money without remodeling the entire home to save on water. Of course, even if you’re not in a drought, you may still be looking for simple ways to cut down on the amount of water you use on a daily basis. Keeping water consumption low doesn’t just help out the environment, but it can take a huge burden off of your monthly utility bills. All the same, many people tend to run into dead ends when they’re dealing with water conservations. Here’s a few quick ways that don’t take a lot of lifestyle changes that will significantly drop your water usage.

1. Dishes
When it comes to sending water down the drain, doing the dishes is one of the biggest culprits around. A lot of people believe that washing dishes by hand can actually save more water than running the dishwasher. This isn’t true in the slightest, especially if you have a more modern dishwasher. Typically, these dishwashers allow you to use a fraction of the water you would by running your dishes under the faucet. If you’re not sure if your dishwasher is up to code, then it may be time for a replacement anyway. This will help you save on water and electricity by getting the dishes clean the first time. You should also try to scrape food off of dishes rather than rinsing them as this sends even more water down the drain. You should also wait to do dishes until the dishwasher is full to help maximize the water being used. Of course, if you do have to do dishes the old fashioned way, then run water into a basin and clean this way. The trick is not to steadily run water during the process of washing as it will send gallons down the drain each time you do dishes.

2. Stop Leaks
It’s not always obvious when there’s a leak in the house, but there’s some tricks you can use to keep your home from dripping water. One way to combat leaks from happening is to have an inspection done at least once a year on your home. Often, your insurance company will offer these inspections at a low cost or free, so make sure you know what your policy covers. Another way to keep on top of leaks is to monitor the home carefully. If you notice water damage in the area then take care of it straight away as it will help save you money on your water bill as well as home repair bills. Of course, as soon as you notice the leak you should take action. Grab a bucket and allow the leak to flow into the bucket so the water doesn’t go to waste. You can use this water for other things, such as watering your garden or flushing the toilet. Also, if you notice a big difference in your water bill, then there’s a good chance you have a leak. If you can, fix the leak yourself as soon as you can, but if not, don’t hesitate to call in help.

3. Washer
Your laundry habits can be another major culprit when it comes to your water usage. One of the best things you can do is upgrade to an energy efficient washer. Of course, you should also make sure it is a front loading machine because this will help save you even more money and water. Although it may seem pricey to upgrade, you’ll notice the washer will pay for itself after you see how much your water bill actually is. If you don’t have a front load washer then chances are you aren’t just wasting water, but you’re also probably causing severe damage to your clothing. If you’re not ready to make the change though then there are still a few things you can do. For instance, running the laundry on quick wash will cut down on the water usage. Also, making sure the washer has a full load before you wash clothing will also help out. Finally, washing the clothes on cold will cut down on more unnecessary laundry bills.

4. Toilet
The toilet is your other major water guzzler. Part of this has to do with your habits and the other has to do with the way the toilet is made. Luckily, both of these things can be altered to help you save on water. For starters, if you can upgrade your toilet, you may want to consider getting a low flow toilet. This cuts down the amount of water you will use each flush, so you don’t have to worry about using too much. If you can’t afford an upgrade then one simple hack is to add a full water bottle into the basin of your toiler. This will help cut down on the amount of water your toilet uses each flush. Of course, if you’re worrying about the plastic over time, then you can use a brick instead. If you find your family is flushing all of the time then you may have to enforce a rule that will have the family only flush occasionally. During one major drought, the if it’s yellow let it mellow rule came to be, which helped many families use less water during the trying period. You should also use blue dye to make sure there’s no leaks in your toilet.

5. Shower/Bath
This region of the bathroom is where most of your water is going to be lost. We all love our soothing showers and baths, but at the end of the day, you’re not going to want to do this if you’re trying to conserve water. If you limit your shower to only a few minutes you should save a lot of water, but if you’re looking to save more then you may want to go to a more drastic level. For instance, many countries actually don’t run water the entire time they shower. Instead, they rinse off then turn the water off. From there they soap up and then turn the water back on to rinse. If you don’t want to do this then you may to try out a low flow shower head. This will do a lot of the work for you. If you’re taking a bath then don’t fill the bathtub all the way up as you don’t really need this amount of water. When it comes to kids you can bathe them together if it’s age and gender appropriate.

6. Kitchen
Of course, the dishes aren’t the only water waster in your kitchen. There’s lots of ways you can save in the home, which will ensure your water consumption will go way down. For starters, if you draw your drinking water from the tap, then try to fill up a pitcher and place it in the refrigerator. This will help the water stay cold, so you’re not tempted to run the tap until your water reaches the temperature you desire. Another common thing people do is thaw meat by running it under hot water. This is a definite waste of water and could leave your water bill hurting if you do it too many times during the week. Instead, place the meat in the refrigerator overnight, so you don’t have to worry about thawing it out the next day. If you tend to use hot water a lot in the home then it may be wise to install an instant water heater on your kitchen faucet. This will give you instant access to the right temperature, so you never have to wait for the water to get warm while running it down the drain.

7. Piping
Keeping up with your home’s pipes is actually one of the best ways to ensure water stays frugal in your home. You should monitor your piping at least once a year to make sure everything is in working order and won’t leave you dealing with a major repair bill. Many people can monitor the piping on their own, but if you’re not comfortable with it then ask a friend who is or shop around for the lowest inspection price. With your pipes secured, you can avoid leaks which hike up the bill. You should also consider insulating your pipes. This actually helps warm the water up faster, so you won’t end up running the tap a long time before the water reaches its desired temperature. Insulated pipes also don’t freeze as easily, which means you won’t have to deal with pricey repair bills in the winter.

8. Heating/Cooling
The way you choose to heat and cool your home can make a huge difference when it comes to your water bill. The first thing you’ll want to do is avoid water to air systems as much as possible. These pull water from the home to help keep the air cool, which means your water bill is going to skyrocket, especially if you’re dealing with a drought. If you can, try to find an energy efficient system that isn’t too pricey. These are becoming more common, so you won’t have to worry about looking too hard before you find the perfect match. Of course, if you can’t find a good system then try to avoid using your heating and cooling whenever it isn’t necessary.

9. Collect Rain
When water is scarce, you probably don’t want to see any go to waste, right? So, when it rains, make sure you’re ready to collect the water so you can use it around the home. There are many specialized basins that will help you collect rain water and store it for quite some time. These can be pricey though; however, they are very easy to make on your own by simply opening up a barrel. You can also use basic buckets and bowls to collect water and store it other basins. Of course, you may want to check to see what the rules are about collecting rain in your area. Some places it is actually illegal! However, if you can collect the rain then you’re all set to use the water for your garden, lawn, toilet or other household needs.

10. Forget the Yard/Lawn
If you’re dealing with a drought then you’re probably not very happy with the way your lawn looks. Although many places do allow you to keep up a food garden, your lawn is going to have to be sacrificed. There are some alternatives to the classic lawn though. If scientists in your area believe the rain is going to be scarce for years, then you might want to look into tilling up the lawn. You can replace the grass with decorative rocks or mulch, or you can add in desert plants that will add a natural look to your yard without all of the watering. These plants are usually inexpensive and your local greenhouse can usually give you a lot of information about the variety of plants you can choose from.

Droughts don’t have to cause you to spend more money on resources. With these tips, you should be able to cut down on the amount of water you use so your bills won’t be through the roof. Even if you’re not working with drought prices, these tips will help you add to your green living lifestyle, while also cutting down on your utility bills.