Water bills are one of life’s unavoidable costs. Though surprisingly they’re something most people assume they have no control over. After all, we all need to shower and drink, right?

If you’re ready to reject the idea of high water bills and do your part to conserve our planet’s most vital natural resource, you’re in luck. Technological advancements are changing how to save water.

Here are our picks for the best smart home tools that can help you kickstart your water conservation efforts.

Low-Flow Faucets and Showerheads

Switch out your showerheads and faucets with low-flow models to instantly begin saving water. Low-flow fixtures are inexpensive and can make a big impact on your water bill. It’s estimated that switching all of your faucets and showerheads to low-flow models can reduce your water usage by between 30-50%, and save you between $50-90 per water bill. You can track your water consumption and water leaks in real-time through a smart home water monitor like the ones offered by Bluebot.

Low-flow faucets enabled with smart home technology utilize sensors to reduce wasted water. Some also offer touch sensitive flow control to regulate how much water you’re using for cleaning or drinking.

Leak Detectors

Leaks are one the worst offenders when it comes to wasted water. Though how do you stop leaks if you’re not a plumbing expert? Luckily, smart home devices make it easy.

Smart home enabled leak detectors monitor moisture around pipes and other fittings. Once connected to your smartphone, these devices trigger a notification at the first sign of condensation, drips, leaks, or flooding. They’re perfect for rooms that you rarely use, such as your basement or attic.

Irrigation Controls

Smart enabled sprinkler systems can schedule their runtimes based on the local weather forecast. Many people over or under water their yards, but smart enabled irrigation ensures your system only runs when needed. If there’s rain in the forecast your sprinklers won’t turn on, but if a drought is coming your yard will stay green.

As an example, the GreenIQ Smart Garden device controls your irrigation system by monitoring the current and upcoming weather forecasts. It also connects to your smartphone to control your irrigation system remotely. With these smart enabled sprinkler systems, it’s estimated you can save up to 50% on your outdoor water consumption.

Energy Star Appliances

Older washers and dishwashers waste significant amounts of water. However, Energy Star appliances can save you hundreds of dollars on your utility bills. For example, Energy Star washers use about 13 gallons of water per load, versus the 23 gallons per load used by traditional machines.

Consider that the average family washes around 300 loads of laundry per year, and the savings are significant. Energy Star dishwashers can also help save water and money. It’s estimated that these energy efficient models save around 3,870 gallons of water over their lifetime.

Shower Timers

Shower are an inevitable part of life, but that doesn’t mean it’s prudent to ignore your water consumption. Luckily, devices like the Water Pebble exist that help reduce your water usage. The device works by reforming your shower habits based on your average water usage.

Place it by your shower drain and let it establish a baseline measurement of water used per shower. During every subsequent shower the Pebble will attempt to slightly reduce your shower time. The device’s green light will turn yellow when you’re halfway through your shower, and then flash red when it’s time to turn the water off.

Now that you know how easy saving water is, there’s nothing holding you back from making your home smarter and more efficient! With modern technology, we can save the planet and our pocketbooks at the same time.