The FiveStar Team
August 20, 2026
Reducing your water bill often starts with fixing leaks, replacing inefficient fixtures, and improving how your home uses water. Simple plumbing improvements can reduce water waste while helping lower monthly utility costs.
If there’s a way to save money, you probably want to know about it. As a homeowner, one place to save money is your water usage. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program, household leaks can waste about 180 gallons of water per week, or approximately 9,400 gallons per year.
At FiveStar Plumbing, we know that a higher water bill is not always caused by increased usage. A running toilet, leaking faucet, damaged water line, or another plumbing issue can allow water to escape without being obvious. Here are practical ways to reduce water waste for your household and your budget.
Fix Any Drips, Leaks, and Continuously Running Water
One of the most effective ways to lower your water bill is to find and repair leaks as soon as possible. Even a small leak can continue wasting water around the clock.
Check faucets, toilets, showerheads, exposed pipes, outdoor faucets, and hose connections. Look for dripping, damp areas, corrosion, or water running when everything is turned off.
Toilets deserve particular attention. EPA WaterSense identifies worn or damaged flappers as a common cause of toilet leaks, which can waste significant amounts of water over time.
A higher-than-normal water bill can also be an early warning sign of a hidden leak. If the water meter continues to move when faucets and appliances are off, there may be a plumbing issue. A professional plumber can help locate the source.
Replace Faucet Aerators
A faucet aerator attaches to the end of a faucet and helps regulate the water flowing from the fixture. Replacing an older or inefficient aerator with a water-efficient model can reduce water use without necessarily sacrificing performance.
The EPA’s WaterSense program states that WaterSense-labeled bathroom faucets and aerators use a maximum of 1.5 gallons per minute, compared with the standard 2.2 gallons per minute. Replacing older fixtures with efficient models can reduce water use over time.
Before purchasing a new fixture, check its flow rate and look for products independently certified under the WaterSense program.
Use Low-Flow Showerheads and Toilets
Replacing older fixtures with water-efficient models can reduce household water use.
Standard showerheads use up to 2.5 gallons of water per minute, while WaterSense-labeled showerheads use no more than 2.0 gallons per minute. EPA estimates that the average family can save about 2,700 gallons of water per year by replacing an existing showerhead with a WaterSense-labeled model.
Toilets are another important area to consider. If your toilet is constantly running, repair it promptly. Older, inefficient toilets can also be replaced with WaterSense-labeled models.
Two Ways to Check for a Leaky Toilet
If your toilet makes a hissing or running sound when it has not been flushed, inspect the tank for a problem with the flapper, fill valve, or other components.
You can also perform a simple dye test. Add a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank without flushing. Wait about 20 minutes and check the bowl. If colored water appears in the bowl, water is leaking from the tank into the bowl and the toilet should be repaired.
A worn flapper is one common cause, but other toilet components can also be responsible.
Hybrid Water Heaters or Tankless Water Heaters
Water heaters are another area where homeowners can improve efficiency, although it is important to distinguish water savings from energy savings.
Traditional tank water heaters store hot water and use energy to maintain its temperature. Hybrid or heat pump water heaters use heat from surrounding air to heat water and can be a more energy-efficient option for some households.
Tankless water heaters heat water as it is needed rather than continuously maintaining a tank of stored hot water.
However, installing a tankless or hybrid water heater does not automatically mean your household will use less water. Water savings depend primarily on how much water your household uses and the efficiency of your fixtures and plumbing system.
A professional plumber can evaluate your existing water heater and household needs before recommending a replacement.
Upgrade Your Washing Machine and Dishwasher
Older appliances can contribute to unnecessary water use. Replacing them with efficient models may reduce water and energy consumption over time.
You can also save water by running full loads when appropriate and following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
How to Check Your Home for a Hidden Water Leak
If your water bill suddenly increases without a change in usage, checking the water meter can help identify a possible leak.
Start by turning off faucets and making sure appliances and fixtures are not using water. Find your home’s water meter and record the reading. After a period when no water is being used, check the meter again.
If the reading has changed even though your household has not used water, there may be a leak somewhere in the plumbing system.
The EPA recommends comparing your bill with the same month from the previous year and checking the meter when no water is being used.
What Our Plumbers Look For When Water Bills Increase
A sudden increase does not always mean your family is simply using more water.
When investigating unexplained water usage, a plumber may check toilets, faucets, supply lines, water heaters, hose bibbs, visible piping, shutoff valves, and other components of the home’s water system.
The right solution depends on the cause. A worn toilet flapper may require a simple repair, while a hidden water line leak may require more extensive diagnostic work and repair.
Addressing the source early can help prevent continued water waste and, in some cases, prevent water damage to the home.
When Should You Call a Plumber About a High Water Bill?
Consider contacting a professional plumber if your water bill suddenly increases without a clear explanation, especially if you also notice:
- A toilet that continues running after flushing
- Faucets or pipes that drip continuously
- Damp areas around plumbing fixtures
- Unexplained moisture or water damage
- A noticeable drop in water pressure
- The sound of water running when all fixtures are off
- A water meter that continues moving when no water is being used
Save Water With the Right Plumbing Improvements
Reducing your water bill does not necessarily require replacing your entire plumbing system. Start with areas that can have the biggest impact, such as leaks, toilets, faucets, showerheads, and older fixtures.
Water-efficient products can also help. WaterSense provides certified options for bathroom faucets, showerheads, and toilets.
If you have already made basic water-saving improvements but your bill remains unusually high, the next step may be identifying a hidden plumbing problem.
FiveStar Plumbing provides plumbing services for homeowners throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our team can help identify plumbing issues, repair leaks, replace inefficient fixtures, and evaluate plumbing systems when you are dealing with unexplained water usage.
Contact FiveStar Plumbing at (615) 382-8131 to discuss your plumbing needs and determine whether a professional inspection or repair is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the easiest ways to lower my water bill at home?
Fixing leaks, installing water-efficient fixtures, reducing unnecessary water use, and replacing outdated plumbing components can help reduce household water consumption and utility costs.
Can small leaks really increase my water bill?
Yes. Even relatively small leaks can waste significant amounts of water over time. EPA WaterSense estimates that household leaks can account for about 180 gallons of wasted water per week on average.
How do I know if I have a hidden water leak?
Signs can include an unexplained increase in your water bill, damp areas, sounds of running water when fixtures are off, or a water meter that changes when no water is being used.
What is a faucet aerator and how does it save water?
A faucet aerator attaches to the end of a faucet and helps regulate water flow. WaterSense-labeled bathroom faucet aerators can reduce flow while maintaining adequate performance.
Do low-flow showerheads and toilets really make a difference?
Yes. Water-efficient fixtures can reduce water use over time. EPA estimates that a WaterSense-labeled showerhead can save the average family about 2,700 gallons of water per year.
Does a tankless water heater lower my water bill?
A tankless water heater primarily offers potential energy-efficiency benefits because it heats water as needed. It does not automatically reduce the amount of water your household uses.
When should I call a plumber about a high water bill?
If your water bill increases without a clear change in usage, or you notice running toilets, leaks, unexplained moisture, low water pressure, or water movement at the meter when no fixtures are running, consider having a professional inspect your plumbing system.
