7 Ways to Slash Water Bills
Water bills have risen by 1.7 percent so far in 2022. “The rise is small compared to the 50 percent jump in energy prices but has compounded the cost-of-living crisis…The 1.7 percent jump pushed prices up by roughly £7 to £419 a year.” (The Independent)
However, water usage remains high across the UK. As of 2021, 152 litres of water per day were used by the average person, with 145 litres per person as a three-year rolling average. Essentially, a household of four potentially uses “more than 500 litres of water a day…a full bath uses the largest amount of water by far, at approximately 80 litres.” (Statista)
“If a family of four reduced their shower time by just one minute, they could save £45 on metered water bills, up to £52 on energy bills and as much as 11,648 litres of water a year.” (Thames Water)
7 Ways to Slash Water Bills – Bathtubs & Shower Edition
The experts at Premier Care in Bathing have recommended 7 easy methods to reduce water in the bathtub and shower, in turn slash your water bills. As the bathroom is where we use the largest amount of water, yet it’s also the room where we can make the greatest effort to conserve it.
1. Take shorter showers
We know it can be tempting to step into your walk-in shower and spend half an hour relaxing under the warm water jets, but this isn’t great for conserving water. Especially if you and other members of your household are indulging in them daily.
Consider limiting your time in the shower and cutting it in half. A 5-10 minute shower should be all you need to come away clean and refreshed.
2. Fit an AAA-rated showerhead
These showerheads can reduce the amount of water you use in the shower by roughly 9 litres per minute. You could also have a flow restrictor installed to reduce the amount of water the shower emits.
3. Take baths as a treat
If you are able to use both the bath and the shower comfortably, then try to limit the number of baths you take. Instead of having one every day, treat yourself to one once or twice a week. This will help limit your water consumption and it will make your baths feel all the more special and beneficial.
4. Don’t overfill your tub
Although it can be tempting to luxuriate in a full to the brim bath, if you are keen to conserve your water then turn the tap off sooner. Instead of overfilling your bath, fill it just enough so it will cover your body when lying down or waist-height if sitting up in a walk-in bath.
5. Check the temperature
It can be so easy to turn the water on in your bath, pop in the plug, and just walk off and forget about it as it fills. But one of the most wasteful uses of water in the bath is filling it with too much hot water. And then having to use additional cold water to cool it down.
Make sure you keep an eye on the temperature of your water as the bath fills, so you don’t have to top it up with cooler water once it’s ready.
6. Don’t lose your cool
When you turn on your shower and it runs cold for a few seconds before warming up to your perfect temperature, it’s easy to just let the water go right down the drain. Instead of wasting this water, have a bucket to hand and catch it as it runs. You can then use this cold water to water your indoor plants, the garden or to clean around the house. It’s all about being creative.
7. Plug it up
An easy way to lose water in the tub (which you then top up, using even more water) is by having an ill-fitting plug. Check your bath plug to make sure it isn’t letting any water out. If it is, then get a new plug fitted and enjoy a fuller bath for longer.
