Six ways to save water and slash energy bills by £200 a year including money-guzzling device to switch off
MILLIONS of households could save money on their water bills by making just six simple changes to how they use water.
Annual water bills are set to rise by about £27.40 to £473 from next year, according to water regulator Ofwat.
Between 2025 and 2030 they are forecast to rise again by an average of £19 a year.
The increases will put pressure on households already finding it difficult to make ends meet.
Around 18% of households are already struggling to pay their bills but this will climb to 40% if the changes go ahead, according to the Consumer Council for Water.
But experts at bathroom supplier Wholesale Domestic say a family of four who make small changes to their home could save more than £200 a year.
Read more on household bills
Switch to water-efficient fixtures - £50
“One of the simplest and most effective ways to save money on your energy bills is to use water-efficient fixtures,” said Brian Toward from Wholesale Domestic.
“Modern showers and taps come with aerators and flow restrictors that reduce water usage without compromising on pressure.”
The devices are very easy to install and can be fitted either inside the spout of a tap or attached to the end of it.
Prices start at around £6.50 for four.
Meanwhile, a shower head aerator is installed in the same way as a basic shower head, which means they are one of the easiest ways to reduce your water consumption.
You can pick up one of the devices for about £8.
Switching to a water-saving shower head could reduce the water you use by up to 40%.
Overall, a family of four could save around £50 a year by cutting down their water consumption with these efficient fixtures.
Lower the temperature of your water heater - £50
Your water heater temperature controls how hot water will be when it comes out of your tap or shower head.
But most households have it set far higher than needed explains Mr Toward.
How to save on your energy bills
SWITCHING energy providers can sound like a hassle - but fortunately it's pretty straight forward to change supplier - and save lots of cash.
Shop around - If you're on an SVT deal you are likely throwing away up to £250 a year. Use a comparion site such as MoneySuperMarket.com, uSwitch or EnergyHelpline.com to see what deals are available to you.
The cheapest deals are usually found online and are fixed deals - meaning you'll pay a fixed amount usually for 12 months.
Switch - When you've found one, all you have to do is contact the new supplier.
It helps to have the following information - which you can find on your bill - to hand to give the new supplier.
- Your postcode
- Name of your existing supplier
- Name of your existing deal and how much you payAn up-to-date meter reading
It will then notify your current supplier and begin the switch.
It should take no longer than three weeks to complete the switch and your supply won't be interrupted in that time.
“By reducing your water heater temperature to around 55°C you can still have hot showers without wasting excess energy,” he said.
“Lowering the thermostat even slightly can make a significant difference over time and save you around £45-50 a year.
Most water heaters will have a knob on the front which controls the water temperature.
Turn this to the left to reduce its flow temperature.
Do not turn your temperature down too much as this could cause harmful bacteria to grow in the water.
Take shorter showers - £20
It’s an age old tip but reducing the length of your shower can help you to save significantly on your water bills.
Heating accounts for a large part of every household’s energy consumption.
“If every member of your household reduces their shower time by just one minute, you could save hundreds of litres of water each month,” Mr Toward suggests.
“Based on a family of four this could be a saving of around £20 a year in energy bills.”
Fix dripping and leaking fixtures - £35
Although the amount of water coming out of a leaking tap may look small, it can slowly add up over the course of a year.
“A slow-dripping tap can waste up to 5,500 litres of water a year,” Mr Toward warns.
“Not only is it a waste of water but it’s a direct hit to your energy bills if it’s a hot tap.”
If you get it fixed you could save up to £35 a year based on UK water heating costs.
Leaking toilets are another culprit.
Toilets take up about 30% of the total water used in a household according to water saving organisation Save Water Save Money.
A constantly running toilet can waste over 200 litres of water a day.
Install a thermostatic mixer shower - £30
If you have an electric shower, consider changing to a thermostatic mixer shower.
These showers mix hot and cold water more precisely than an electric shower which can prevent overheating and wasted energy.
By doing so they can help to regulate water temperature more effectively and reduce the energy needed to heat the water.
Prices start from around £75.
Swapping to a thermostatic shower can shave around £30 a year off your energy bill, especially if combined with a more efficient boiler.
Use your towel dryer wisely - £20
Towel radiators and heated towel rails have become popular in many bathrooms but they can waste energy if not used wisely.
Mr Toward advises: “Limit the time you have your towel rail on as many are left running for far longer than necessary, which can eat up electricity.”
Instead, set a timer or use a programmable rail to save between £15 and £20 annually.
How else can I save on my household bills?
You could apply for a water meter to shave hundreds of pounds off your water bill every year.
Water meters charge you for the amount of water you use, so consider your household use before you get one.
If you get through a lot of water then it may not be worth getting one.
The Consumer Council for Water has a free water meter calculator which will tell you how much you could save.
Meanwhile, you could get water-saving devices from your water company.
Get in touch with your supplier for more information or visit savewatersavemoney.co.uk.
Companies also cap the bills of households who are struggling through the WaterSure scheme.
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To apply you must be on benefits and need to use lots of water for medical reasons or because your household has a certain number of children.
You must have a water meter or be waiting to get one installed.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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