Unless you’ve lived on another planet, it’s obvious that saving water and energy at home is essential. With rising costs and depleting reserves, it is not only necessary to avoid the loss of water, heat and electricity for the sake of the environment, but also our bank accounts.
If you play your cards right and stay frugal and smart, you’ll discover how easy it is to use less water and energy in the bathroom. So how can this be done in your home? We’re going to give you some great bathroom tips that everyone can follow.
Be careful with the toilet flush
Modern toilet cisterns are estimated to use around 7-8 liters of water per flush, which is a lot when you stop and think about it. That’s why a double-flush toilet system is being installed: this technology can reduce water consumption by up to three liters per flush.
Also, try not to use your toilet as another garbage can! Many things, such as feminine hygiene products and contraceptives, are not designed to be flushed down the drain, not to mention the incredible waste of water every time you wash them. Throw these items in the bin, as well as tissues after blowing your nose, as this is much simpler and saves a lot of water.
Watch your water consumption when showering
Although there’s nothing like a long bath to relax you after a hard day, baths use a lot of water. Showers are much faster and use less water, but you can also save a lot more H20 by turning it off when you apply soap and shampoo.
A 10-minute shower uses approximately 12 liters of water per minute, so every spare second will help! You can set an alarm on your smartphone to make sure you know when it’s time to turn off the shower.
Top tip: Place a bucket under the shower while you wait for the water to heat up. You can use the excess liquid for tasks like washing dishes or watering plants.
It seems obvious, but don’t leave the tap running while you’re brushing your teeth or shaving either, it’s easy enough to turn the tap back on once you’re done! Make sure you only use the cold water tap as it takes a lot of energy to heat the water and this is not necessary for shaving or brushing your teeth. Heating water consumes approximately 12% of a home’s energy bill!
Don’t ignore leaking taps either, as this wastes hundreds of liters of water a day and costs you a lot more on your water bill. It’s cheaper to fix the faucet than to let it drip all day.
A smaller tip but still noticeable
If you install energy-efficient light bulbs such as LED lights (which can save around £70 a year), you’ll find that the room is still very bright without draining so much electricity. Also, connecting your bathroom lights to a motion or clock sensor is a great idea, as we can often leave the lights on by accident, which is especially worse if this happens when you’re away on holiday.
Finally, it’s good to consider underfloor heating in the bathroom, as it keeps the room much warmer and you don’t have the problem of dusty radiators. Some homeowners don’t like underfloor heating because of the fuss and installation costs, but you’ll find this method of heating your bathroom better in the long run.
