Summer puts a lot of pressure on your plumbing. Between outdoor watering, long showers, and extra laundry, your water usage can spike without warning. But there’s a more innovative way to stay cool and keep things running without wasting gallons.
DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in West Boylston, MA, helps homeowners make natural changes and lower their water bill without a lifestyle overhaul. If you’re ready for your plumbing to do its part this season, let’s dive into what works.
Switching to Low-Flow Fixtures Without Sacrificing Comfort
By making these upgrades, you’re not just saving water, you’re also reducing your environmental footprint. Low-flow fixtures have come a long way since the days when a conservation-minded shower meant standing under a mist and hoping for the best. Swapping out your existing faucets and showerheads for WaterSense-labeled versions is one of the quickest ways to make a real difference.
These fixtures control pressure while reducing gallons per minute. That means you still rinse off comfortably, still wash dishes efficiently, and still get the job done without the waste. If your showerhead is more than five years old, chances are it’s using more water than necessary. Making the switch doesn’t need a big renovation. It’s a simple project with a lasting impact that starts paying off the next time you use the sink, saving you money in the long run.
Upgrading Toilets That Use Too Much Water Per Flush
Toilets don’t need to use gallons of water every time they flush, but older models often do exactly that. Many homes still rely on toilets that use 3.5 gallons or more with each cycle. Switching to a modern model can bring that number down to 1.28 gallons or even less. You flush the same way, but the tank fills faster, wastes less, and reduces strain on your plumbing.
Dual-flush toilets give you two options depending on what you’re flushing. That added flexibility means you don’t waste a full flush for something light. If you’ve ever opened the tank on your current toilet and noticed mineral stains or slow filling, your system might already be showing signs of age. A replacement can clear up those issues and lower your water use without changing your routine. Summer guests, outdoor messes, and extra laundry already put pressure on your plumbing. A smarter toilet reduces some of that strain quietly, every day.
Fixing Hidden Leaks Before They Drain Your Budget
One dripping faucet can send hundreds of gallons down the drain during a single season. Leaks that aren’t visible, like slow drips under the sink or pinhole pipe damage inside a wall, can waste even more. You might notice a slightly higher bill, or you might hear a faint hissing near a fixture that should be quiet. Either way, water is going somewhere it shouldn’t.
Use summer as a chance to listen more closely to your home. After everything’s turned off, you shouldn’t hear movement in the pipes. If you do, that water is going somewhere you can’t see. Look near outdoor spigots where winter freezes may have caused cracks. Leaks often start small, but they rarely stay that way. If you suspect a leak, turn off the water supply and call a professional plumber to fix it. You’ll avoid water damage, lower your monthly bill, and feel better knowing your plumbing isn’t slowly wasting water behind the scenes.
Adding a Hot Water Recirculation Pump for Faster Comfort
When you turn on a hot tap and wait, you waste water. It takes time for hot water to travel through the pipes, especially in larger homes or when the water heater sits far from the faucet. During that wait, gallons of water pour down the drain, unused. A hot water recirculation pump keeps hot water moving through your system so it’s available immediately.
You’ll notice the difference during busy mornings or after outdoor chores when a quick wash matters most. No more running the tap while you wait. The pump doesn’t need to run constantly. Many models have timers or sensors that activate only when you need them. That reduces both water waste and energy usage. This kind of upgrade makes the daily flow of life smoother while quietly saving resources.
Replacing Old Washing Machines With High-Efficiency Models
Summer brings more laundry. Between sweat, beach towels, and garden clothes, your washer gets no break. Older top-loading machines can use more than 40 gallons per load. Modern high-efficiency models use half that while cleaning better and spinning drier loads that take less time in the dryer. If your washer rattles, squeaks, or requires extra rinses to get things clean, it’s probably time for a replacement.
Look for front-loading machines with smart sensors. These units weigh each load and adjust the water level to match. You use only what’s needed, not a set amount every time. That kind of upgrade pays off especially fast when laundry runs multiple times a week. If your utility room floods from time to time or your washer sometimes smells off, switching models helps with that, too. Better drainage, less leftover water, and smarter cycles lead to cleaner clothes with a smaller footprint.
Installing a Smart Irrigation System Outside
Your yard needs water in the summer, but it doesn’t need as much as you think. Traditional sprinkler systems spray on a timer without checking whether your lawn actually needs it. That leads to puddles on the sidewalk, soaked driveways, or wasted water after rain. Smart irrigation systems use weather data, soil moisture sensors, and zoned controls to water only when and where it’s needed.
These systems cut water use dramatically, especially if you’re used to setting and forgetting your sprinkler schedule. You can adjust them from your phone, fine-tune them for different types of plants, and even pause watering during a storm. If your lawn stays patchy or your water bill jumps every July, your current setup is probably doing more harm than good. Smart watering feels like less work but gives better results.
Using Gray Water for Non-Drinking Tasks
If your state or municipality allows it, a greywater system gives you a creative way to reuse lightly used water for things like irrigation or outdoor washing. Water from your laundry or bathroom sink can be redirected through a filter to a holding tank, then used for gardens or lawns. You’re not sending drinking-quality water into the soil, and you’re not wasting clean water on tasks that don’t need it.
These systems vary in complexity. Some are as simple as a diverter valve on your washing machine. Others involve piping and storage tanks that feed drip irrigation lines. You don’t have to install a full system to make a difference. Even partial setups help you stretch your water budget without sacrificing function.
This upgrade works best if you’re making eco-conscious choices in your soap and detergent. You don’t want to send harsh chemicals into the ground. But if you lean toward cleaner products, this might be the next step in shrinking your water footprint while keeping your yard healthy.
Time to Get Eco-Friendly Plumbing at Home
Sustainable plumbing doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few thoughtful upgrades, your home can stay functional and comfortable while using a lot less water. Summer is a great time to make those improvements stick. If you’re ready to make smart changes that matter, schedule your upgrade to a tankless water heater with DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling and start saving water where it counts. We also offer land clearing, drainage solutions, foundation excavation, and site grading for residential and commercial properties.
