If you own a property with a backyard you know that there is one bill that goes up every summer, the hydro bill. Ontario might not experience droughts as they do in the U.S., but we still rely heavily on water to keep our flowers and grass growing, to fill our pools and to cool us off after a long day playing outside. To help keep costs lower this year here are 6 simple ways you can save on water this summer.
 
#1 Water Your Yard In The Morning Or Evening
 
When the sun is high in the sky, water evaporates quickly. To give your soil more time to hydrate, water in the morning or in the evening. Check your hydro bills for the off-peak hours to save money and to properly irrigate your lawn.
 
#2 Check Your Toilets For Leaks
 
A great way to test if your toilet tank is leaking is to put a few drops of food colouring in your toilet tank. If the colour shows up in the bowl, your tank is leaking. This could be wasting gallons of water every day. Get a plumber in to take a look and repair accordingly.
 
#3 Take Shorter Showers
 
An easy and effective way to save on water this summer is to simply shorten your showers. You can order a shower timer online that sticks to your walls and will let you know when it’s time to get out. This way you save on water and you might find a few extra minutes in your day to do something productive.
 
#4 Cover Your Pool
 
If you are lucky enough to have a backyard pool, whether in-ground or above,  keep it covered when you’re not using it. On hot days the sun will evaporate some of the water, leaving you to have to refill it. This will take a considerable amount of water and money to refill.
 
#5 Get A Rain Barrel
 
Help the environment and your hydro bill by collecting rain in a rain barrel. If possible store it on the highest point of your backyard or build a stand for it under your gutter’s downspout. Using what nature has already given you is a great way to save money and help the environment.
 
#6 Use The Dishwasher
 
Energy star-rated dishwashers use considerably less water than washing dishes by hand. If your dishwasher isn’t energy efficient you may want to consider getting a new one this summer. It might cost you now, but it will save you money in the long run.
 
There are a lot of ways you can save this summer while helping reduce your eco-footprint. For more helpful tips on how you can reduce your bills take a look at our blog or ask me for advice. Here is hoping for a hot and long summer. 

At Knowledge Broker, our goal is to create an open-source of information for all our clients. At the end of the day, they get exactly what they want and what they need. If you know someone who could use our help or services please put them in touch with us or send us their details using the contact information below.
  

JOSHUA CAMPBELL (@knowledgebrkr)
Real Estate Broker
Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Centre, Brokerage
joshua@knowledgebroker.ca
249 Avenue Road • Newmarket, ON L3Y 1N8
289.210.6007