Small changes can lower water, heating bills
Homeowners can take advantage of several ways to lower their monthly water and heating bills with a little know-how.
Henry Klinar, general manager of McKean Plumbing & Heating in Washington, one of the most common sources of inflated water usage can be solved with a “relatively easy fix.”
A leaky toilet can use hundreds of gallons of unnecessary water a month due to an improperly fit gasket or flapper, Klinar said, which is a straightforward repair for an experienced plumber.
A misaligned flapper can lead to the toilet constantly draining into the bowl between flushes, leading to the excess water use.
Klinar said that high water pressure can be another source of needless water consumption.
High pressure can exacerbate existing cracks in pipes and cause news leaks if left unchecked.
Installing a home water pressure regulator can help manage the PSI rating of water entering the home from municipal water lines, he said.
Calls seeking assistance for leaky toilets are “not uncommon,” Klinar said.
According to a release from Pennsylvania American Water, leaking faucets are another common cause for concern.
A single defective faucet can waste over 3,200 gallons of water each year, the release states.
Under PAW’s current rates for residential water service, this equals over $60 per month.
According to the release, Environmental Protection Agency data indicates that about 1 in 10 homes are impacted by water leaks, which can waste over 90 gallons each billing period.
“Finding and fixing leaks can help customers protect their homes, businesses and monthly bills,” Pennsylvania American Water Vice President of Operations Jim Runzer said in the statement. “At the same time, Pennsylvania American Water plans to invest more than $631 million in 2026 alone to modernize water and wastewater infrastructure across our service footprint.”
Saving money on monthly gas or oil bills can be “more tricky” than correcting a leaking toilet, Klinar said.
According to Klinar, ensuring a home has the right level of insulation is key to avoiding overspending during cold winter months or the hot summer season.
By ensuring the property is an appropriate level of “tight,” homeowners can retain conditioned air for longer without having to reactivate their furnace or air-conditioning unit, he said.
Some modern thermostat units can be programmed to decrease interior temperature on a set schedule when the house is empty during the workday.
These can be another source of potential savings over the long run, even if the upfront installation cost is high.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission requires utility companies to offer programs that help low-income customers keep their service, with a database of such services available on their website at puc.pa.gov/about-the-puc/consumer-education/utility-assistance-programs/.