Did you know that saving water at home also saves energy? It’s true. Every drop of water you use needs to be treated, pumped, and often heated. All of this uses energy, which affects both the environment and your bills.
In fact, around 12% of a typical household water bill, roughly one-eighth, comes from heating water. Using less hot water, especially in winter, can therefore help you cut both energy use and costs.
How water use affects energy in Winter
In winter, heating water can use even more energy because the water coming into your home is colder. Every time you run a tap, shower, or wash clothes; energy is needed to heat it. So, the less water you use, the less energy is needed, and the lower your bills will be.
Easy ways to save water and energy this winter
Here are some simple steps to keep your home warm, save water, and cut energy use:
1. Take shorter showers – Even cutting just two minutes off your usual shower can save up to 30 litres of water. Helping you stay warm while reducing both water and energy use.
2. Fix leaks quickly - Even a small dripping tap wastes hot water and the energy used to heat it. If you spot a leak, you can book a free visit via our Leak Visits page.
3. Use water-saving appliances - Modern dishwashers, washing machines, and showerheads use less water and energy without losing performance.
4. Turn off taps when not in use - Don’t leave the water running while brushing your teeth or washing dishes. Simply turning off the tap while you brush can save around 24 litres of water a day.
5. Wash clothes in cold water - Heating water for laundry uses a lot of energy, and most clothes clean just as well on a cold wash. You can also save around 14 litres per load by only running your washing machine when it’s full and using the ECO setting.
6. Insulate your hot water tank and pipes - Proper insulation keeps water hotter for longer, meaning your boiler doesn’t need to work as hard in colder months. It also helps protect pipes from freezing and bursting, reducing the risk of leaks when temperatures drop.
By making small changes, you can cut your water, and energy bills this winter and help the environment. Saving water isn’t just about the water, it’s about using energy wisely too.
Click here for more tips on saving water this winter