There are many ways to save money on plumbing and heating repairs. Whether you’re hiring a professional for home repairs or need to conduct your own, the following are a few tips that can help save you money in the long run:
Check Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy: Some insurance policies cover cracks in your drain line, while others may offer discounts if you have a plumber inspect your property. Understanding what is covered by your policy will ensure that you make the most of it.
Invest in a Water Softener: This may seem like an extra expense at first, but it will save money over time – especially since hard water can damage pipes, fixtures and appliances that use it.
Consider Replacing Old Fixtures with Low-Flow Options: Low-flow faucets, shower heads and toilets can cost more up front than standard models, but they use less water and ultimately pay for themselves. In addition, these products help conserve water and reduce our impact on the environment; this is important because much of today’s water supply goes toward public use.
Check for Leaks: Leaks waste water and lead to higher water bills. You can find out whether you have any leaks by turning off all the faucets in your home, shutting down any appliances that use water (dishwasher, washing machine), finding your meter and checking its reading. If it continues to move while everything is turned off, you have a leak somewhere in the house. Check toilets by putting food colouring in the tank — if colour shows up in the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak.
Consider Portable Toilets: If you’re undertaking significant plumbing work or hosting a large event, renting portable toilets can be a cost-effective solution. They can prevent disruptions and additional costs associated with plumbing and sanitation.
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Seal Your Ducts
One of the easiest ways to save money on your heating and cooling costs is to seal up any leaks that may be in your ductwork. When ducts are not sealed properly, it can cause a loss of 20 percent of the air that moves through them, which means it will cost more money to heat or cool your home. Have your ducts inspected every year after they are sealed to make sure there are no new leaks.
Insulate Your Hot Water Tank
Another easy way to help save money on heating costs is by insulating your hot water tank with an insulation wrap. This will help keep the water inside it warm so that it won’t need to work as hard when you use hot water, which will reduce the amount you pay for energy each month. It also helps keep the temperature of the water inside consistent so that you don’t have to wait as long for it to heat up.
