Domestic water heating is responsible for 5% of UK CO2 emissions and between 10-25% of your household energy bill.
Becoming water efficient is a simple and easy way to save money. Here are some simple tips to save water, energy and money around the home.
Saving water in the bathroom
Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
Take a 5 minute shower instead of a bath. By doing this once a week, a family of 4 can save around £20 a year on their gas bill
When buying a new toilet, choose a water-saving, low-flush or dual-flush version
Fit a dual-flushing device on to an existing toilet. A family of 4 could save an extra 44,000 litres of water a year.
Fit a water saving device to your existing toilet cistern to cut down the amount of water flushed, for example a save-a-flush or hippo. These cost less than £5 and can save between £6-£12
Fit aerator devices that mix water with air to shower heads
Insert flow restrictors into your bathroom sink taps. These reduce the volume of water running from the tap
Fit a water eficient shower head
Saving water in the kitchen
Only boil the amount of water you need for hot drinks
Don't run the tap to get cold drinking water, keep a jug in the fridge instead
Wash fruit and vegetables in a bowl instead of under a running tap
Wait till you have a full load for your dishwasher and washing machine
Choose the eco or lowest setting when using your washing machine. Washing clothes at 30 degrees will save around £10 a year on energy bills
Don't throw used water down the drain. This can be used for watering plants when cooled down
Saving water throughout the home
Insulate your hot water cylinder and pipes and save around £45 a year!
A dripping tap wastes around 5,500 litres of water a year so fix it quickly
Collect the rain water from your roof and use it to water the garden or wash your car
Use a watering can instead of a hose to water the garden
The Energy Saving Trust website has a water energy calculator which you can use to find out how much water you use and how you can save. Click here to try it
