Saving Water
Water Efficiency
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 efficient 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 until 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 rainwater 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.