Every gallon counts—especially in coastal Southern California, where drought cycles and rising utility costs make water conservation a smart financial and environmental decision. The good news: you don’t need a full remodel to make a big impact.
With a few strategic upgrades and habit tweaks, most households can cut indoor and outdoor use by 20–40% without sacrificing comfort. Here’s what our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend at A1 Best Plumbing.
Start with the Biggest Wins: Find and Fix Leaks
Small leaks waste big water. A dripping faucet, a running toilet, or a hidden slab leak can add thousands of gallons per month.
- Do a 15-minute meter test
- Turn off all fixtures and appliances that use water.
- Check your water meter; if the flow indicator is moving, you likely have a leak.
- Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend a whole-home leak inspection annually, and anytime your bill spikes unexpectedly.
- Target common culprits
- Toilets: Worn flappers cause silent running. Dye tabs or food coloring in the tank can reveal bowl seepage.
- Irrigation: Broken sprinkler heads, cracked drip lines, and misaligned nozzles are frequent offenders.
- Water heater/T&P valve: Look for discharge or pooling in the pan.
- Manage water pressure
- High pressure accelerates leaks and fixture wear. Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend setting a pressure-reducing valve (PRV) to 50–60 psi and adding a simple gauge to monitor.
Upgrade Key Fixtures and Appliances
Modest investments here deliver permanent savings with every use.
- Toilets
- Replace older 3.5 gpf units with WaterSense 1.28 gpf or dual-flush models. Savings can exceed 10,000 gallons per toilet per year.
- Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend high-quality flappers and fill valves to maintain performance and prevent run-ons.
- Showerheads
- Choose 1.8–2.0 gpm WaterSense models. Modern designs maintain comfortable pressure while cutting usage by up to 40%.
- Faucets
- Install aerators: 1.0–1.2 gpm for bathrooms and 1.5 gpm for kitchens. Easy DIY swap, big payoff.
- Clothes washers and dishwashers
- ENERGY STAR front-load washers use roughly half the water of older top-loaders.
- Newer dishwashers often beat hand-washing when run full; use eco cycles.
- Hot water delivery
- Insulate hot water pipes and consider an on-demand recirculation pump to reduce “cold purge” waste without the constant energy draw of continuous recirculation.
Smarter Daily Habits That Stick
Behavior changes compound over time—and many are effortless once you set them up.
- Time your showers
- Aim for 5 minutes. A 1.8 gpm head saves more than you think over a month.
- Turn it off
- Shut the tap while brushing teeth, shaving, or scrubbing dishes.
- Run full loads
- Dishwashers and washers are most efficient when full. Use eco or light soil settings when possible.
- Thaw smart
- Defrost in the fridge, not under running water.
- Reuse where it’s safe
- Capture vegetable rinse water for outdoor plants and use a basin for light, non-soapy tasks.
Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend posting a simple reminder card near sinks and showers to help everyone in the household stay on track.
Outdoors: Where the Biggest Savings Often Live
Irrigation can account for half of a home’s water use. Tune it and watch usage drop.
- Audit your system
- Fix leaks, replace clogged or broken heads, and cap any overspray hitting walls or sidewalks.
- Choose efficient delivery
- Convert flower beds and trees to drip irrigation.
- Upgrade sprays to rotating nozzles (MP rotators) for better coverage and less misting.
- Smart controllers
- Weather-based controllers adjust run times to local conditions. Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend setting schedules to early morning, using cycle-and-soak for clay soils.
- Plants and mulch
- Select drought-tolerant, climate-appropriate plants and add 2–3 inches of mulch to reduce evaporation.
- Rain capture
- Rain barrels and cisterns store free water for later use. Keep gutters clear and direct downspouts to barrels or permeable areas.
Reuse and Alternative Sources
- Laundry-to-landscape greywater
- Redirects washing machine water to trees and shrubs through a simple, code-compliant system. Avoid using on edible leaves and follow soap guidelines.
- Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend professional design to ensure backflow protection and proper filtration.
- AC condensate
- Air conditioners create clean condensate that can be routed to irrigate ornamentals or collected for reuse.
Always check local codes and HOA policies before implementing greywater systems.
Pressure, Piping, and System Health
Water efficiency isn’t only about fixtures—it’s also about the health of your plumbing system.
- Install/maintain a PRV
- Keeps pressure in the efficient, leak-resistant range and protects appliances.
- Replace problem piping
- Corroded galvanized or pin-holed copper wastes water and can cause hidden damage. PEX repipes with a home-run manifold can improve flow and reduce waste.
- Add shut-off valves
- Individual fixture shut-offs let you service leaks quickly without shutting down the whole house.
Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend a simple annual “plumbing tune-up” to catch issues before they waste water or cause damage.
Long Beach Rebates and Local Resources
Saving water is even better when it’s subsidized.
- Rebates
- Programs commonly support high-efficiency toilets, weather-based controllers, rotating nozzles, turf replacement, and rain barrels.
- Check Long Beach Utilities and regional programs like SoCal WaterSmart for current offers and eligibility requirements.
- Free resources
- Landscape design guides, watering schedules, and leak detection kits are often available through local agencies.
Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend taking photos and keeping receipts—rebate programs typically require proof of purchase and installation.
A 30-Day Water-Saving Action Plan
- Week 1: Audit and repair
- Meter test, fix toilet flappers, install aerators, set PRV to 50–60 psi.
- Week 2: Upgrade
- Swap showerheads, program dishwasher/washer eco cycles, insulate hot pipes.
- Week 3: Outdoor tune-up
- Repair irrigation, set early-morning schedules, add mulch, adjust nozzles.
- Week 4: Long-term moves
- Price WaterSense toilets, explore smart controllers, apply for rebates, and schedule a plumber visit for a system check.
Stick to this plan and most households will see a noticeable drop in their next bill.
When to Call A1 Best Plumbing
- You suspect a hidden leak but can’t find it.
- Your water pressure is high or fluctuates.
- You’re ready to install high-efficiency fixtures, a PRV, on-demand recirculation, or greywater routing.
- You want an irrigation and plumbing audit with clear, prioritized recommendations.
Our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend tackling the easiest, highest-impact actions first, then investing in upgrades that deliver reliable savings for years.
Conclusion
Conserving water at home is simpler than it seems: fix leaks, upgrade a few fixtures, dial in your irrigation, and adopt a handful of smart habits. With the right plan, you’ll lower your bill, protect your plumbing, and support a more resilient Long Beach. For fast, friendly help implementing these strategies, contact A1 Best Plumbing—our Long Beach Plumbing experts recommend starting today so your next bill already reflects the savings.