The average household wastes 10,000 gallons per year indoors. Here's how to keep that money in your wallet.
Average savings from indoor water efficiency upgrades - combining high-efficiency toilets, low-flow fixtures, leak repairs, and efficient appliances.
Source: EPA WaterSense Program
Before we talk about savings, let's see where you're spending money on water inside your home:
| Use | % of Indoor Water | Gallons/Day (Average Family) | Annual Cost (at $5/1,000 gal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toilets | 24% | 33 gallons | $60/year |
| Showers | 20% | 27 gallons | $49/year |
| Faucets | 19% | 26 gallons | $47/year |
| Washing Machines | 17% | 23 gallons | $42/year |
| Leaks | 12% | 16 gallons | $29/year |
| Other (dishwasher, baths, etc.) | 8% | 11 gallons | $20/year |
Based on EPA data for average household of 4 people using 138 gallons per day indoors
The Big Takeaway: Toilets, showers, and faucets account for 63% of your indoor water use. Fix these three things and you've tackled most of your bill.
Here's where to focus your efforts for maximum savings with minimum hassle:
Old toilets (pre-1994) use 3.5-7 gallons per flush. Modern WaterSense toilets use 1.28 gallons.
Effort: Low (hire a plumber)
Cost: $150-400 per toilet
Payback: 2-3 years
Learn More →Standard showerheads use 2.5+ gallons/minute. WaterSense models use 1.5-2.0 gallons/minute with no loss in pressure.
Effort: DIY (15 minutes)
Cost: $20-50 per head
Payback: 3-8 months
Learn More →Old faucets flow at 2.2+ gallons/minute. Aerators reduce this to 1.0-1.5 gallons/minute while maintaining feel.
Effort: DIY (5 minutes each)
Cost: $3-8 per aerator
Payback: 1-3 months
Learn More →A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons/day. A dripping faucet wastes 3,000 gallons/year. Most fixes are under $20.
Effort: DIY (30-60 minutes)
Cost: $10-50 in parts
Payback: Immediate
Learn More →Energy Star washing machines and dishwashers use 30-50% less water than standard models from 10+ years ago.
Effort: Low (when replacing)
Cost: $600-1,200
Payback: 6-10 years
Learn More →Recirculation pumps and tankless heaters reduce water waste while you wait for hot water. Also saves on energy costs.
Effort: Moderate (professional install)
Cost: $500-2,500
Payback: 5-10 years
Learn More →If you're going to tackle just 3 things this weekend, make it these:
Cost: $15-30 for whole house
Savings: $30-80/year
Difficulty: Stupidly easy - they screw on by hand
Where to buy: Any hardware store, Amazon. Look for WaterSense certified aerators rated at 1.5 GPM or less.
Cost: $15 flapper kit
Savings: $100-200/year (if it's leaking)
Difficulty: Easy - YouTube has hundreds of tutorials
How to test: Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Wait 15 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, you have a leak.
Cost: $25-50
Savings: $75-150/year
Difficulty: Easy - unscrew old one, screw on new one, done
Pro tip: Don't cheap out. Get a good WaterSense certified model ($35-50) and you won't notice any pressure difference.
Your toilet is the single biggest water user in your home. If it was installed before 1994, you're flushing money down the drain with every use.
Average family flushes: 20 times per day
Example Savings:
A $300 WaterSense toilet pays for itself in about 2 years, then keeps saving you money for its 20+ year lifespan. That's $2,500+ in savings over the toilet's life.
Everyone thinks low-flow showerheads feel weak. This was true in the 1990s. It's not true anymore.
Modern WaterSense showerheads use aeration, pressure compensation, and better nozzle design to deliver a strong spray while using 30-40% less water.
Brands that don't suck: Delta, Kohler, Moen, Niagara Conservation all make excellent low-flow heads in the $30-60 range.
Here's a sobering fact: 10% of homes have leaks that waste 90+ gallons per day. That's $164/year literally going down the drain.
1. Toilet Flappers ($100-200/year waste)
The rubber flapper in your toilet tank degrades over time. When it fails, water continuously trickles from tank to bowl. Silent, expensive, and easy to fix with a $10 kit.
2. Faucet Drips ($30-50/year per faucet)
One drip per second = 3,000 gallons/year. Usually just needs a new washer or O-ring ($2-5 in parts).
3. Shower head Leaks ($20-40/year)
If your shower drips after you turn it off, you need a new cartridge or washer. 15-minute DIY fix.
4. Under-Sink Connections ($10-30/year)
Check under every sink for moisture or mold. Tighten connections or replace washers.
Free Leak Detection: Check your water meter before bed. Don't use any water overnight. Check it again in the morning. If it moved, you have a leak.
Don't run out and replace your dishwasher or washing machine just for water savings. But when it's time to replace anyway, the efficient models pay for the difference quickly.
Old top-loader: 40-45 gallons per load
Energy Star top-loader: 25-30 gallons per load
Energy Star front-loader: 15-20 gallons per load
Savings: $40-80/year on water + $50-100/year on energy = $90-180/year total
Old dishwasher: 10-15 gallons per cycle
Energy Star dishwasher: 3-5 gallons per cycle
Bonus fact: A modern dishwasher uses LESS water than hand-washing the same load (8-12 gallons).
While we're focused on upgrades, don't ignore these zero-cost savings:
Total free savings from behavior: $187-215/year
Week 1: Quick Wins
Cost: $35-45 | Savings: $50-130/year
Week 2: Bathroom Upgrades
Cost: $75-150 | Additional Savings: $100-200/year
Week 3: Major Upgrade Planning
Week 4: Implementation
Cost: $300-800 | Additional Savings: $100-180/year
Many water districts offer rebates to help offset the cost of upgrades:
Check our Rebate Finder to see what's available in your area. Some utilities even offer free home water audits where they'll install aerators and identify leaks for you.
Use our free calculator to see exactly how much you'll save based on your current fixtures and usage.
Calculate Savings →Ready to start saving? Here's your action plan:
Total potential savings: $477-775/year
That's real money back in your pocket, year after year, with minimal ongoing effort.