High Water Bill In Your Vacation Home?
Have you noticed an unusually high water bill lately? Some homeowners have experienced a $300 water bill even when the vacation home they own was not being rented out at the time. Before paying $150-$200 for a leak detection company, we recommend these practices first.
Leaky Faucet or Running Toilet
The most common and easiest problem to fix when it comes to a water issue is a leaky faucet. The property manager should still be popping by even if the home is unoccupied to check in on the home. They will be able to shut off the leaky faucet. The second most common problem is a toilet that keeps running in the home. Often, it is just that the flappers need to be replaced. For a small amount, the property manager can get the kit and have this fixed within 30 minutes. A good property management company will have someone on staff who can do this without having to contract a plumber which could cost you $300 for a simple fix.
Other Issues
If you see no issues with either, you might want to have your property manager look at the water meter to see if it is spinning constantly. You will have to schedule the water company to come and replace the meter if it has gone bad. This should not be at an additional cost to you. Other issues that might require leak detection could be if your pool is leaking. If you or the property manager still isn’t sure, then it is definitely recommended to get a leak detection company out there.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
When it is time to replace an appliance like a dishwasher, it is definitely recommended to get an energy-efficient appliance. This will help reduce the amount of water needed which lowers your water bill. A toilet often uses 7 gallons to flush, but a low-flow toilet only uses 1.6 gallons. The average guest will use the toilet 5 times per day. With the low-flow toilet, you will be saving 27 gallons per day PER GUEST! Manufacturers also make low-flow showerheads. There is less water but higher pressure so this will cut down on the shower time for guests. This will also reduce costs in your electric bills if there is not as much water that needs to be heated.
An Alert Property Manager
Don’t forget to have your property manager looking out for signs of a high water bill. If you don’t feel they are prioritizing the management of their property which is their job, it might be time to look at an established company. We currently manage 100 homes within 15 minutes to Disney World since 2006. We take great pride in maximizing an owner’s income and keeping their costs low.
As you can see, we are extremely active with our marketing efforts. We would love to have the opportunity to manage and market your vacation home. Last year, we did not have one vacation home occupied less than 220 nights and our average vacation home was occupied 248 nights annually…that is over 20 nights a month! Check out more of our Orlando Vacation Property Management Tips.