With sky rocketing energy bills making the headlines again, finding ways to save water, electricity and gas are big news. Although many people are aware that something as simple as not leaving your TV on standby can help you to make huge savings on your annual bill, methods of saving water are less well known.
But saving water doesn’t have to be hard work. In fact most of the time, saving water is something you won’t even notice. The array of water-efficient products you can use around your home to help you on your mission are numerous and often highly affordable. Read on for a selection of hints and tips for saving water at shower time!
Invest in a shower
Although many people love to unwind in a hot bath after a hard day, as an average bath holds around 80 litres of water, even a quick plunge can generate an awful lot of waste water. However, with just a few simple changes to your bath time routine you can cut bills and save a considerable amount of energy.
Remodelling your existing bathroom to incorporate a walk in bath and shower for older people is actually an excellent way to preserve the independence of your loved ones for years to come, as well as saving money on your heating bills.
There are three types of shower to choose from: electric showers which use electricity to instantly heat water as it passes through the unit, mixer showers which draw hot and cold water and mix them and power showers which use stored hot water and propel it using an electrically powered pump. Each type is sure to increase your energy cost savings.
Energy saving technology
Swapping to a shower is just the first step; if you’re serious about saving cash, it pays to invest in some smart water-saving gadgets which will allow you to impose a limit on exactly how long you spend in the shower.
Replacing your shower head is a great way to reduce your energy consumption. For power showers and mixers units, replacing your existing shower head with a new water-efficient one creates the same water pressure without using as much power. If you live in a hard water area you should also make sure to de-scale your shower head regularly, to improve the water flow.
By using a clock or a pre-programmable device that allows you to set your limit in advance, you can control how much energy you use. Alternatively you can attach a shower-flow reducer to the bottom of your shower hose or an egg timer to your wall to monitor your energy use. If you aren’t keen to spend money on one of these gadgets, try introducing a radio into your bathroom. It’s much easier to keep track of time by keeping your shower routine to less than one song! In general you should try to keep your showers to under five minutes or 35 litres of water.
Tips for saving energy
Although it can be tempting to run the shower before you hop in, it is best to keep your shower set at your preferred temperature so there is no need to adjust it before bathing. Keep power showers on a low setting to economise and ensure you fix a leaky shower head. Over time, the cost of water that escapes a dripping tap can really add up.
Try to think economically wherever possible with water: by putting a bucket in the shower while you’re waiting for the water to warm up you can collect water perfect for tending to plants or cleaning your home. For the really brave, you can even turn off the water flow whilst you lather up!
