The holiday season is a busy time of entertaining and spending time with loved ones. Homeowners don’t always think about the unique demands the holiday season creates for household water usage. From those large Thanksgiving feasts to New Year’s celebrations, the holiday season means more cooking, more cleaning, more laundry, and the additional water demands of hosting guests in your home. 

In South Florida, where the climate is warmer than that of our neighbors to the north, homeowners in this region are managing the increase of holiday water usage along with other year-round strains on water resources, such as irrigation systems that don’t take a break during the cooler months. 

At All Year Cooling, we’re committed to helping South Florida homeowners reduce their water usage (and water bills) during the holidays. Here are a few important tips for saving water this holiday season, without compromising on Holiday cheer. 

The Importance of a Pre-Holiday Plumbing Check-Up 

For homeowners in South Florida, scheduling a pre-holiday plumbing inspection is a smart way to prevent inconvenient water issues when your home is at its busiest. Before growing your guest list, consider bringing in a professional to check for leaks, drips, clogs, and other plumbing issues that could put a damper on seasonal festivities. 

Homeowners can even begin with a DIY inspection. Look for signs of issues, such as water stains under sinks, listen for running toilets, and check on outdoor spigots for drips. Even if you don’t see signs of plumbing issues, it’s a good idea to hire a licensed plumbing professional to conduct a thorough evaluation of your home’s plumbing system. 

A professional check-up can look for hidden water issues, such as slow leaks or concerns with aging pipes. By taking the initiative to tackle plumbing problems ahead of time, homeowners will not only save water but ensure their homes can handle the seasonal surge in water usage. 

Now Is the Time to Upgrade to Water-Efficient Fixtures 

During the holidays is the ideal time to invest in water-saving fixtures that are efficient at reducing water consumption. Now is a good time to consider replacing old shower heads, faucets, and toilets with more water-efficient models. While there is an upfront investment in replacing water fixtures, doing so can help your home use up to 50 percent less water. 

For example, there are WaterSense-certified products, including low-flow showerheads and dual-flush toilets. These are certified to conserve at least 20 percent more water while maintaining optimal functionality. As an extra incentive, many of these types of water-efficient upgrades come with rebates and tax incentives for South Florida residents. 

Choosing to upgrade to water-efficient fixtures will not only lower your bill during the holidays. It also provides savings year-round, making them a smart investment for the future. 

Practicing Smart Water Habits in the Kitchen 

While hosting houseguests can lead to extra water usage due to extra showers and laundry, it’s really the kitchen that is the hub of activity, and water usage, during the holidays. Adopting just a few smart water habits in the kitchen can make a huge difference. 

Rinsing Dishes: When it comes time to clean up after holiday gatherings, be conservative with water use when rinsing dishes. Instead of continually running water to rinse dishes individually, fill the sink with enough water to rinse the dishes in. The same applies to washing produce. Fill a large bowl with water and a little vinegar or your favorite produce wash and give them a soak. 

Defrosting Foods: Safely defrosting foods in refrigerators is a smart move both for water conservation, and food safety. Take foods that need to be defrosted out of the freezer the night before and place them in the refrigerator. This is more effective and less wasteful than defrosting foods using running water. 

Smart Dishwasher Use: It’s tempting to run the dishwasher frequently to ensure your full stock of dishes, silverware, and cooking utensils is always clean. However, running the dishwasher more than you need to is a drain on water. Instead, run the dishwasher only when it’s full, and choose an eco-friendly setting if your dishwasher has one available. 

Reuse When You Can: The water you use for boiling vegetables or washing produce can serve a dual purpose. For example, vegetable cooking water can be used to water indoor and outdoor plants. Look for little ways to reuse some of the water you’re already using.

These are all small adjustments, but they help households conserve water during the holidays, and even enhance efficiency in your kitchen during the holidays. 

How to Manage Excessive Guest Water Usage 

Hosting family and friends in your home is one of the best parts of the holidays. However, with each guest comes extra water usage, which can add up during this busy season. Homeowners don’t need to feel helpless in managing guest water usage. There are ways to help control the situation without being viewed as a poor host. 

First, post discreet reminders in bathrooms, asking guests to ensure faucets are completely turned off and not dripping after taking showers or brushing their teeth. If you’re comfortable with it, you can also post reminders requesting that guests take shorter showers. 

Provide houseguests with unique drinking glasses or water bottles that are refillable. Doing this can reduce the amount of glassware needing to be washed because guests can’t remember which glass is theirs. 

Addressing Outdoor Water Use During the Holidays 

With life being so busy during the holidays, outdoor water usage is often overlooked, however, it can still remain a major contributor to your overall water consumption, especially in South Florida. 

During the milder winter months, lawns and gardens typically require less irrigation. This is a good time to adjust your watering schedule or turn off sprinklers to prevent unnecessary water waste. You can also keep outdoor spaces neat and clean by using a broom to sweep walkways, porches, and driveways, rather than spraying them down with a water hose. 

If you have the space available, consider installing a rain barrel for the collection of water for outdoor needs, such as watering plants or cleaning outdoor spaces. This is a smart, eco-friendly way to keep your home clean and festive while reducing overall water waste. 

Be Prepared for the Unexpected: Emergency Plumbing Issues 

There are few things worse than hosting a holiday gathering, but then you find you need to deal with a plumbing emergency due to all the pressure on your plumbing system. From clogged drains and food scraps to overwhelmed garbage disposals and leaky faucets, anything can happen. 

Being prepared for unexpected plumbing issues involves approaching the season with a hefty dose of proactive caution. 

For example, dispose of food properly by composting or scraping plates into the trash rather than rinsing leftovers down the drain. Installing drain strainers in both sinks and showers is a good way to catch hair and other debris that could lead to issues.

In case an emergency does happen, know where your main water shut-off valves are so that you can act quickly if needed. And, don’t forget to have the number of your trusted plumbing expert, like All Year Cooling, on hand for when emergencies strike. 

Enjoy the Holidays Without Plumbing Stress 

The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and celebration. Don’t let these quality moments with loved ones be tainted by worries over water usage and plumbing disasters. South Florida homeowners can implement these tips to reduce water waste, lower their utility bills, and contribute to a healthier environment – without compromising the beauty of the holiday season. 

At All Year Cooling, we’re here to serve as your local plumbing experts in South Florida. Let us help you make this holiday season memorable in all the right ways.