Watch Out for Higher Water Prices

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from TheStreet, via Yahoo!:



Watch Out for Higher Water Prices
by Jeffrey Strain
Monday, June 9, 2008
provided by

Just when you thought you had a handle on all the high prices out there, here comes one more: water.

In many places across the country, residents are being informed that their water bills are going to rise, with the high cost of energy a prime reason used to justify the increases.

What's worse, the way you use water can have a double impact on your wallet. In many cases, you're not only paying for water, you are also paying for the energy to heat that water.

Learning to cut down on both water usage and what it costs to heat water can help the environment and your pocket book at the same time.

Here are some ideas.

Hot, Warm, Cold

The first easy step is to adjust the temperature of your water heater. Most water heaters are preset at 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, which is warmer than most people need, especially in summer. Adjusting your water heater temperature down to 130 degrees (you don't want to go below 125 degrees because common bacteria can grow in your water tank) will save 3% to 5% on your energy bill while still being plenty hot for showers.

Throw on a water-heater blanket to reduce costs more.

Another easy step to take is to switch the setting on your washing machine so that it will wash your clothes in a cold/cold cycle. While this won't save any water, it will save about $100 a year in energy costs from heating the water. Improved detergents should guarantee that your clothes still come out clean.

To reduce the amount of water you use with appliances, make sure to use your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full. Even when the appliances have different size settings, full loads still are the most water efficient. If you do wash a smaller size load, be sure to match the water level with the size of the load.

Water Down the Drain

Take the time to install water reduction kits in your house. Most will include faucet aerators that will reduce water flow by about half, but actually make the water intensity increase, low-flow showerheads that decrease the amount of water used while making the shower water pressure feel stronger, and toilet tank banks which displace water in the tank so you use less with each flush.

In addition, the kits may include dye tablets that will allow you to see if your toilets are leaking, and possibly a timer to help you take shorter showers. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/105208/Watch-Out-for-Higher-Water-Prices