SHARE

Are you keen to make your home more environmentally friendly? Looking for ways to reduce your energy consumption? Then you’re in the right place. Here, we’ll explore four simple ways you can reduce the amount of water you’re using at home.

Take shorter showers

According to the Energy Savings Trust, showers are the biggest water user in the house. They estimate that Brits use more than two billion litres of water everyday showering and spend around £2.3 billion each year on heating water for showers. If you often find yourself simply standing around enjoying the warm water, it’s likely you’re using more than necessary. A simple way to reduce your water consumption is to simply spend less time in the shower – get in, get washed and get out.

Use washing machines for full loads

Another large household consumer of water is washing machines – and the more times we put it on, the more water we use. If you want to cut down your water consumption, make sure you only use your washing machine for full loads. Avoid filling it half full and putting it on anyway, as this will use more water and energy than necessary. Another energy-saving tip is to put your machine on the highest spin setting possible for your clothing to get rid of as much water as possible, as this will mean less time in the tumble dryer.

Turn taps off when not in use

One of the biggest wastes of water is having taps running when they’re not being used. There are many situations where this may happen, for instance when you’re brushing your teeth, washing the dishes, or getting ready to fill the kettle. Make a conscious effort to turn taps off when you’re not using them, as this will make a big difference to the amount of water used in your household.

Invest in water-saving tools

There are many clever water-saving tools available on the market that will help to make your home eco-friendlier. In the bathroom, you could upgrade your shower head to an energy-saving model and buy a toilet that uses less water to flush. You can buy taps with reduced flow, as well as flow regulators to help you cut down the amount of water you use. There are also things you can buy for your garden, such as the Premier Polytunnels irrigation systems that limit your water use for plants to what’s absolutely necessary.

As water is a finite resource, it’s more important than ever that we preserve it as much as possible. By making small changes to your everyday life, such as taking shorter showers and making a conscious effort to turn taps off, you can reduce the amount of water usage at home.

Sam Allcock