Perhaps you have a tight budget and you’d like to save on your utility bills. Or maybe you would like to conserve the world’s water resources and make your home more eco-friendly. Regardless of your motivation, you’ve come to the right place if you want to use less water around your home.

The average American family uses hundreds of gallons of fresh water every day. And while some of that water goes through purification for future use, a percentage of it doesn’t, and it pollutes the environment instead. In either case, your water usage costs you a significant amount of money. Preserve your bank account and your local environment by using the steps below.

Leaks waste a lot of water, and they often do so without your knowledge. For example, your toilet water may slowly trickle down the pipe between each flushing, and you probably won’t notice unless your toilet starts phantom flushing. If you have noticed phantom flushes (the toilet sounds like it randomly refills even if nobody has used it), call your plumber to check for leaks as soon as possible.

Faucets and showerheads usually exhibit more obvious leaks. They will drip or trickle. And while they might not look like they waste a lot of water, they do. Leaky faucets can waste several gallons per day, and you do have to pay for that water. Ask your plumber to fix these leaks as well.

If your pipes leak, you’ll notice water damage around your home. Water damage typically manifests as warping, discoloration, and mold. You’ll need a professional to open up your walls, floors, or ceilings and replace the pipes.

Many toilets use up to seven gallons per flush, and some showerheads spray two-and-a-half gallons per minute. However, modern technology has created low-flow fixtures that keep you from using as much water. Just remember to adjust your home’s water pressure so it doesn’t damage your new fixtures.

Insulate your pipes so you don’t have to wait for water to heat.

Most people will do anything to avoid that breath-stopping shock of cold water when they jump in the shower. So they wait anywhere between two and 10 minutes for the cold water to turn warm. In the meantime, they waste gallons and gallons of water.

Don’t pay for water you don’t use. Instead, insulate your home’s pipes so the water instantly comes out hot. You’ll use far fewer gallons and spend less on utilities.

Washing machines can use up to 70 gallons per load, so you shouldn’t run this appliance unless you have a full load. The same principle applies to your dishwasher.

Additionally, you should consider purchasing a low-flow, energy-efficient dishwasher and washing machine as well. These appliances may cost more up front, but they’ll soon pay for themselves in utility savings.

You’ve already installed a low-flow showerhead, but you still use quite a few gallons while you spritz off for the day. Limit your showers to 10 minutes, and try to get them down to five minutes if possible.

Most people let the water run while they brush their teeth, scrub dishes, rinse vegetables, etc. However, if you want to save money on water, you should turn it off between wetting and cleaning your toothbrush, between each vegetable, etc. You can even conserve more water if you simply scrape off your dishes and put them in the dishwasher rather than rinsing them.

With the tips above, you can spend less on your utilities than ever before, and you can save the planet while you’re at it. Don’t forget to call your plumber if you discover leaks or want to update your plumbing fixtures.