Summer is a welcome season for many Americans looking forward to vacations, backyard BBQs, and pool parties. While you’re enjoying the warm weather and cool days inside, keep in mind the following tips for lowering your home’s water usage.

The worst day of summer is when the A/C breaks down. At that point, most homeowners will do anything to keep their home cool while they wait for the technician to show up. However, what most homeowners don’t realize is that they’re probably doing all of the things that they shouldn’t. Here are five things you shouldn’t do when the A/C breaks down and why.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that, “Each American uses an average of 88 gallons of water a day at home.” In a year, the average family wastes 9,400 gallons of water from household leaks. Fortunately, there are ways to increase the efficiency of your plumbing system and significantly cut water costs: