15 easy tips for saving water

With household bills at record highs and the UK heading for a drought, saving water is more important than ever. Our easy tips for saving water can save you money and help make your home greener.

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• Latest update on the Energy Price Cap
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• Broadband annual price increases – 2022
• How to save energy when your home has a low EPC

Will saving water save me money?

Reducing your water usage might not reduce your water bill directly, it depends on if you have a water meter fitted. A water meter measures how much water you use, and you may not know you have one. The easiest way to see if you have a meter is by checking your water bill to see if you are being charged based on usage or a fixed rate.

No water meter? Use our guide to see if you could save on your water bills

Whether you have a water meter or not, using less hot water will also reduce your energy bills. Plus, outside of any money you save, using less water is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Tips for saving water in the bathroom

•  A running tap wastes up to 6L of water a minute so make sure to turn them off
•  If you leave the tap running while you clean your teeth you could be pouring up to 24L of water down the drain every day
• Swap baths for showers, a five-minute shower uses half of the water of the average bath
•  Not all showers are created equal – switching to an energy-efficient head could save a family of four £53 a year on their water bills
• A cheap water hippo device (these are £2.49) reduces the volume of your toilet tank, saving you up to 15,000L a year, about £55 if you have metered water

How to save water in the kitchen

• Use a bowl to catch water while washing fruit and veg, then recycle it by watering houseplants or your garden
• Fill your washing machine and – if you have one – dishwasher completely before each cycle to make the most of the water you’re using
• A dripping tap can waste more than 5,300L of water a year, so be ready with a washer and keep an eye on your kitchen sink
• Left a glass of water out overnight? Pour it over a thirsty plant rather than tipping it down the sink

Tips for saving water in the garden

• A rainwater butt collects free water for your garden – and gives you a reason to smile despite the British weather
• If there’s no rain to collect, try recycling (soap-free) water from your sink, shower or paddling pool to water your garden
• Use a watering can instead of a hose to have more control over how much water you’re using and where it’s going
• Water plants in the evening and you’ll lose less water to evaporation, letting your plants get the full benefit
• Letting your lawn grow longer provides shade for the soil underneath, protecting the roots and trapping any water
•  Don’t worry about brown grass – in the UK grass will almost always bounce back quickly after a heatwave, and letting it brown during a heatwave is an easy way to save water