For many homeowners, opening the monthly water bill can be an unpleasant surprise—especially when it’s significantly higher than expected. If your usage habits haven’t changed but your bill keeps rising, the cause might be hiding right in your plumbing system. At Bob Means Plumbing, we’re here to help our customers not only fix plumbing issues but understand how their water systems impact monthly utility costs. The good news? With a few smart upgrades and maintenance habits, you can gain control of your water usage and start saving money.
Know What You’re Paying For
- Your water bill typically includes two parts: a fixed base charge and a variable usage fee based on how much water your household consumes. If your bill suddenly spikes, it may not be due to increased usage—but instead, an undetected issue like a leaking toilet, aging water heater, or dripping faucet.
Even small, hidden problems can result in hundreds of extra dollars on your annual bill. And while these issues might not always be visible, their impact adds up over time—both financially and structurally.
Leak Detection: Find and Fix the Silent Water Wasters
Leaks are one of the most common (and costly) culprits behind inflated water bills. A single dripping faucet can waste over 3,000 gallons of water annually, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. A running toilet can waste even more. And because many leaks are hidden—in underground lines, behind walls, or under sinks—they often go undetected until the bill arrives.
At Bob Means Plumbing, we offer professional leak detection services using the latest tools and techniques to identify even the most subtle leaks. By finding and fixing these issues early, you not only save money but also prevent water damage that can lead to mold, rot, and expensive repairs.
Upgrade to a Tankless Water Heater
If your home still relies on a traditional tank-style water heater, you could be using more energy and water than necessary. These systems continuously heat water around the clock, regardless of whether it’s being used—which means you’re paying for heat loss 24/7.
Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, only heat water when it’s needed. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, households that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily can reduce energy consumption by 24%–34% by switching to a tankless system. Even larger households can see savings of 8%–14%.
At Bob Means Plumbing, we specialize in the installation and service of both tank and tankless systems, we use a top-rated brand, Navien. Our experts will help you determine the right model for your home’s size, usage patterns, and budget.
Benefits of upgrading to a tankless water heater include:
- Lower monthly energy costs
- Endless hot water on demand
- Compact, space-saving design
- Longer Warranty
- Cleaner water with less sediment buildup
Plus, many homeowners notice utility savings within the first year of installation.
Replace Outdated Fixtures
Older plumbing fixtures can dramatically increase water consumption. For example, toilets manufactured before 1994 use up to 6 gallons per flush, compared to modern high-efficiency models that use just 1.28 gallons or less. Outdated faucets and showerheads may also consume double the amount of water per minute than today’s WaterSense-certified fixtures.
According to the EPA’s WaterSense program, replacing outdated plumbing fixtures can help the average household save 13,000 gallons of water annually—and cut over $100 from your water and energy bills.
If your home still has older toilets, faucets, or showerheads, our team at Bob Means Plumbing can help you evaluate which fixtures are due for an upgrade. We’ll install efficient, high-performance options that maintain comfort while reducing your environmental footprint and monthly costs.
Build Smarter Habits—And Know When to Call a Pro
Alongside hardware upgrades, your daily water habits make a big difference. Simple changes—like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, and only running dishwashers and washing machines with full loads—can add up quickly in savings.
However, if your bills are still unusually high despite good habits, it may be time to call in a professional. Plumbing inefficiencies aren’t always obvious, and what seems like a small inconvenience could be a symptom of a bigger problem—such as aging pipes, water heater inefficiencies, or hidden leaks.
At Bob Means Plumbing, our technicians go beyond the basics. We take a whole-home approach, identifying not just the source of the issue but the most efficient and cost-effective path forward. Whether it’s replacing a failing water heater, updating a decades-old toilet, or reworking outdated pipe layouts, our goal is to give you long-term peace of mind—and lower utility bills.
Start Saving Today!
Understanding your water bill is the first step toward lowering it—and with expert help from Bob Means Plumbing, you can take action today. From leak detection and fixture upgrades to tankless water heaters installations, our team offers the services that make homes more efficient, comfortable, and affordable.
If you’re tired of watching your water bill rise without explanation, let us help you get to the bottom of it—and start building smarter plumbing solutions that truly pay off.
📞 Call us at (717) 412-7434
🌐 Schedule service online at BobMeansPlumbing.com
Let’s stop wasting water—and money. With thoughtful upgrades and proactive service, you can take control of your plumbing and your monthly bills, all with help from a name you can trust.
