How to Save Water at Home: 12 Simple Changes for Big Impact
Saving water at home is one of the easiest and most effective ways to live more sustainably. It helps reduce your utility bills and enables you to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. The average UK household can use up to 350 litres of water per day, most of which is spent on showers, toilets, washing machines and taps.
While a few drops may not seem like a lot, it can go a long way when you are more mindful of your water usage. In this blog, we’ll list a few simple tips and changes you can make to significantly reduce water waste in your household without sacrificing comfort.
Table of Contents
- How much water does the average household use?
- How can you save water in the bathroom?
- How can you save water in the kitchen?
- How can you save water in the laundry room?
- How can you save water in the garden?
- How can you save water through home upgrades?
- What are the benefits of reducing water waste?
- FAQs
How much water does the average household use?
According to a publication by Water UK, the average person in the UK uses around 140 litres of water a day. Here are the main ways water is used:
- Showers and baths make up 34%
- Toilets use 30%
- Washing machines and dishwashers use 13%
- Kitchen and bathroom taps use 12%
- Outdoor uses such as hose pipes use 5%.
Looking at these stats, bathrooms account for more than half of a home’s water usage. Therefore, this is the best place to start saving water at home.
How can you save water in the bathroom?
The statistics above clearly show that your bathroom is where most of your daily water usage goes. Here are some tips on how to save water at home:
Take shorter showers
Cutting your shower from 10 minutes to 5 minutes can save up to 45 litres of water per day.
Install a low-flow shower head
You can buy water-efficient shower heads that go a long way to reduce your water usage by up to 50% without affecting your water pressure. For people considering a bathroom or shower upgrade, our walk-in showers have an integrated low-flow system for a comfortable, efficient experience.
Fix leaks promptly
That little leak or annoying drop may just seem inconvenient, but over the course of a year can waste 5000 litres of water. Repairing leaks is a quick and easy way to save on water and money.
Turn off the tap while brushing
This is the most simple of all our water saving tips. This little change can save around 6 litres of water per minute and has a massive impact on your water usage over time.
Upgrade to water-saving fixtures
Modern upgrades such as dual-flushing toilets and aerated taps can help reduce water use by thousands of litres annually. For more inspiration and eco-friendly tips, explore our eco-friendly bathroom ideas.
During your water-saving journey, if you are considering a remodel, consider our design service, where our skilled team can help you integrate stylish and water-effective features seamlessly into your bathroom.
How can you save water in the kitchen?
Water-saving tips aren’t just for your bathroom; other rooms in the house have an impact on your water usage. After your bathroom, the kitchen is the next major area for water waste, especially when you are cooking, washing and cleaning. Here are some water-saving tips for your kitchen:
Only run the dishwasher when full
While dishwashers are surprisingly efficient for water usage, you can help by only running your dishwasher when it is full. Running a full load can save up to 1000 litres of water per month compared to hand washing dishes.
Wash fruit and vegetables in a bowl
This is a simple and extremely effective water-saving tip. Instead of rinsing your fruit and vegetables under running water, use a bowl of water. You can also reuse that water for your garden or house plants.
Avoid running the tap for cold water
Save water here by keeping a jug of chilled water in your fridge. This simple switch is convenient and can save you several litres a day.
How can you save water in the laundry room?
Your laundry accounts for around 15% of your water usage, but we can still make some changes to be more eco-friendly. Here are our tips for how to save water at home in your laundry room.
Wash full loads
Similar to when you run your dishwasher, try to avoid running your washing machine with a half load. Washing a full load maximises water efficiency per cycle, and means you are not using your washing machine as often.
Use eco or short cycles
Modern washing machines have eco settings that help you to reduce your water waste by using up to 40% less water during your cleans.
Upgrade to an efficient washing machine
Time for a washing machine upgrade? When you are ready for a replacement, choose an A-rated or water-efficient model. Over time, this investment will save you both water and energy.
How can you save water in the garden?
Outdoor water use may account for the smallest percentage of household water usage, but we can still make some easy changes to save water here as well.
Collect rainwater
A water butt or rain barrel is a great idea to capture rainwater to use for your garden and for watering your plants.
Water plants early or late
Choosing to water your plants early in the morning or in the evenings reduces the amount that is lost to evaporation and ensures your plants absorb moisture efficiently.
Choose drought-tolerant plants
There are several plants that thrive with less water, such as Lavender, Sedum, succulents and ornamental grasses.
Use mulch
Adding mulch to your flowerbeds is a great way to help retain soil moisture and reduces how frequently you need to water your outdoor plants.
How can you save water through home upgrades?
If your home is ready for some upgrades, or you are really serious about long-term savings, here are some water-saving tips you can use via sustainable home improvements:
- Smart water meters are a great idea to monitor and track your water usage.
- Consider switching to dual-flush toilets that use just 4-6 litres per flush instead of 13 litres.
- Add a thermostatic shower system for improved temperature control and to reduce water waste..
- Upgrade your bath or shower to a modern and accessible walk-in bath or walk-in shower, which is a great way to minimise unnecessary water use.
What are the benefits of reducing water waste?
Saving water doesn’t just have benefits for your household; it also has massive benefits for our planet.
- Using less water helps protect our environment by conserving local water supplies.
- It also reduces the strain on your local treatment systems.
- Being more eco-friendly with your water usage also helps you save money on your bills.
FAQs
What uses the most water in a house?
Showers, toilets and washing machines use the most water in your home. By taking short showers and only running your dishwasher and washing machines with full loads, you can significantly reduce your water use.
How much water can a low-flow shower head save?
A low-flow shower head can reduce your water usage by 50% which can save between 20-30 litres of water per shower.
Does turning off the tap while brushing teeth really help?
Yes, turning off your tap when you brush your teeth makes a massive difference in your water usage. Turning off the tap can save 12 litres of water per person per day!
Learning to save water at home doesn’t have to require massive changes; instead, several small and consistent habits will go a long way to reduce your water wastage. By being mindful in your bathroom, kitchen, laundry and garden, you can lower your water bill and make your home more sustainable. We hope you found these water saving tips useful.