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At a glance
- Bathrooms use energy for lighting and heating water but you can still save money
- Simple habits like four-minute showers and turning taps off add up
- You can also buy water and energy saving devices
We might not think of the bathroom as a room in the home that uses a lot of energy. But did you know that your water use at home contributes to your energy bills and your household carbon footprint?
Saving water can reduce your water bill if you’re on a water meter. But it can also reduce your energy bills and your impact on the environment. Plus, using less hot water will produce less steam. This could reduce condensation and dampness, in turn reducing the risks of harmful mould forming in your home.
Here are some top tips on saving energy and water in the bathroom.
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01
Change your shower head
Upgrading your shower head to a water efficient one saves around £25 a year in Great Britain (GB) and £25 in Northern Ireland (NI). You’ll also save around 9,200 litres of water a year.
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02
Four-minute shower timer
Spending less time in the shower will reduce the volume of water that goes down the drain. It’ll also save you money on the energy used to heat the water.
Keeping your shower time to just four minutes could save you £45 a year in GB and £45 in NI. You’ll also save 17,000 litres of water a year.
Don’t have a timer? Here are some four-minute songs that can help you keep track of time.
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03
Snub the tub
Some of us might enjoy a long soak in the bath. But swapping just one bath a week with a four-minute shower could save you £10 a year in GB and £9 in NI. You’ll also save 4,000 litres of water a year.
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04
Turn off the tap
According to the Consumer Council for Water running tap can use more than nine litres of water a minute. So, turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your face, and use cold water if you don’t need hot.
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05
Fix that drip
A dripping tap can waste thousands of litres of water a year. So, make sure your taps are properly turned off and change the cartridge or washer promptly when a tap starts to drip.
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06
Fit a tap aerator
Consider fitting a tap aerator to reduce the amount of water without affecting the wash or rinse effect. It’s a small gadget with tiny holes that attaches to the spout. It could save you £20 a year in GB and £18 in NI on your energy bills.
You could also save 5,000 litres of water a year.
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07
Get a cistern displacement device
These devices can be popped into your toilet cistern. When you flush, the device inflates, saving you water every time you flush. Modern cisterns with dual flush probably won’t need a displacement device, but remember to use the correct flush.
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08
Use cold water if you can
According to a UK Government report, heating water for use in our homes makes up about 18% of a typical gas-heated household’s heating bills. Try washing your hands and face in cold water if you can.
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09
Switch off your lights
It’s easily forgotten, but switching off the bathroom light when you’re done can help save you money. Switching off unnecessary lights around the house can save you £8 a year in GB and £9 in NI. It all adds up!
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