It’s no secret that water is one of the most precious resources on Earth. Population growth, climate change and urbanisation have turned it into a valuable commodity that we need to protect.
But did you know that 60 per cent of the water we use in the home is in our bathrooms? Luckily, there are some great products and useful advice out there to help you reduce water consumption. Not only will these tips have a positive impact on water preservation, but they will also have a noticeable effect on your energy bills - 25 per cent of our domestic utility bills are associated with heating the water we use in our homes.
With a few small changes and a bit of clever purchasing, however, you can make big changes to the amount of water you save and the energy you use...
How to save water in your... shower
Here’s another stat for you – 22 per cent of water used in the bathroom is in the shower! But there are a number of products on the market that can really help to reduce this volume without taking away the enjoyment of a lovely hot rinse. In turn, this will save water and money by reducing the energy required to heat that volume of water.
Did you know that, according to the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, people spend 7-9 mins on average running the shower before they get in, and take up to 20 mins per shower? If a family of four each reduced their shower by one minute every day, they’d save roughly £200 a year!
This shower head can be fitted to your existing set-up and reduce water flow and energy usage by up to 60 per cent. It’s also easy to clean, which is vital to keep it working efficiently
Hansgrohe Crometta Vario EcoSmart two spray hand shower, £15.95, Victorian Plumbing
How to save water in your... taps
We all know we should only run bathroom taps when we absolutely need to, making sure we turn them off during teeth brushing and fix dripping taps as soon as possible. But have you ever noticed how powerful the volume of water is that comes shooting out of most bathroom taps?
There are some great products that can help to reduce this volume to a level that, although still perfect for our everyday needs, is not so wasteful.
How to save water in your... loo
Double trouble If you buy a new toilet, more often than not it will feature a dual flush; pressing the small button uses less water to flush than the larger button, encouraging you to only use the larger volume when it’s absolutely necessary! However, if you do own a toilet without a dual flush system then there are steps you can take to save water.
When buying a new toilet - or any water-related appliance - always look out for the Unified Water Label. This can be found on all responsible bathroom products across Europe and it provides valuable information on water and energy usage. It’s very simple to understand with its green to red scale; green is more efficient than red. The label will enable you to make new purchases that not only deliver environmental but also cost-saving benefits, without compromising on performance.
Pop the Save-A-Flush (£1.99, Save Water Save Money) into the cistern and reduce water usage by 1.2 litres every time. The bag contains a biodegradable polymer, which swells on contact with water and reduces the volume of the cistern. When it’s time to replace the Save-A-Flush, you can empty the contents on to your garden (the polymer will aid water retention in the soil) and the bag can then be recycled. Not suitable for dual flush systems
How to save water in your... bath
There’s nothing better than a long, warm soak in a bath, and nothing should stop you from enjoying it, but by simply reducing how deep you fill your tub can have a huge impact on your energy bills. When the time comes to purchase a new bath, opt for a smaller tub; this will give you the same deep soak, just without using a high volume of water.
How to save water in your... basin
Although designed to fit in tight spaces, a small hand basin also has a really positive secondary benefit too. It encourages the user not to turn the tap up to full volume, which delivers an unnecessarily strong blast, resulting in you getting splashed with water!
People then get used to washing their hands and face with a lower, but perfectly adequate, volume of water – a clever example of design impacting user behaviour.
Don't miss out!
Go to savewatersavemoney.co.uk and type your postcode into the home page, you can check what FREE water-saving devices you are eligible for from your local water company, based on your location and living set-up.
There’s also a selection of products available on the site that can be retro-fitted into your bathroom.
For instance, these timers help children and adults alike keep an eye on how long they’ve been running their shower and bathroom taps.
