Americans love their lush, green lawns. But during the summer, keeping that grass alive can double or even triple your water bill. The EPA estimates that up to 50% of outdoor water is wasted due to inefficient watering methods and evaporation.
If your summer water bill is making you sweat more than the heat, it’s time to change how you water your yard. You can still have a beautiful lawn without flushing your money down the drain. Here are 3 smart ways to slash your yard water bill:
1. Stop Watering in the Middle of the Day Watering your lawn at 2:00 PM is a complete waste of money. The hot sun and dry air will evaporate the water before it even reaches the roots. You might as well just pour money onto the pavement.
- The Fix: Only water your lawn between 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM. The wind is calm, the temperature is cool, and the water has time to soak deep into the soil before the sun comes up.
2. The “Screwdriver Test” for Over-Watering Most people water their lawns every single day for 20 minutes. This is a huge mistake. It creates shallow roots, making the grass weak and dependent on daily water.
- The Hack: Lawns only need about 1 inch of water per week (including rainfall). Try the screwdriver test: push a long screwdriver into the soil. If it goes in easily to a depth of 6 inches, your lawn has plenty of water. If it’s hard to push, it’s time to water. Deep, infrequent watering saves money and builds stronger grass.
3. Upgrade to a Smart Sprinkler Timer (The Ultimate Hack) If you still use an old mechanical dial timer to turn on your sprinklers, you are losing money. Old timers water the lawn on a strict schedule—even if it’s pouring rain outside!
- The Smart Move: A Smart Sprinkler Timer connects to your home Wi-Fi. It checks the local weather forecast automatically. If it rained yesterday, or if rain is forecasted for tomorrow, the smart timer skips the watering cycle. It saves the average homeowner 30% to 50% on their water bill instantly! (If you want to see which timers are easiest to install without calling a plumber, check out our review of the best smart sprinkler timers!)
The Bottom Line Don’t let your lawn drain your bank account. Water smarter, use the weather to your advantage, and upgrade your timer. Your grass will be green, and your wallet will stay full.