Simple Ways to Save Water at Home & Reduce Water & Energy Bills
Reducing water usage at home not only helps lower household bills, but also supports more sustainable living as pressure on UK water resources continues to grow.
According to Water UK, parts of the UK are already experiencing serious water stress, with rising demand and climate pressures increasing the importance of water efficiency within homes.
Water use at home often goes unnoticed – that is, until the bill arrives. But with growing awareness around sustainability and rising energy costs, more households are looking for ways to reduce water usage without sacrificing comfort.
The good news? Small changes can make a big difference. From how you shower to how you wash dishes or water your garden, there are simple, effective ways to cut water use, lower energy consumption, and reduce your environmental impact.
The biggest opportunity to save water: Your shower
Showers are one of the largest contributors to household water use. The average UK shower uses around 10 – 15 litres of water per minute, with some high-flow systems using significantly more.
Water-efficient shower technology can significantly reduce water and energy use without compromising shower performance.
Because showers also use hot water, they don’t just impact your water bill; they also drive energy use and carbon emissions.
Try the bucket test: how much water does your shower use?
Want to know how efficient your shower really is? Try this simple test at home:
How to measure your shower flow rate:
- – Place a bucket (with litre markings) under your shower
- – Turn the shower on at your usual setting
- – Run it for 30 seconds
- – Measure how much water you’ve collected
- – Double it to calculate litres per minute
You might be surprised by how much water your shower is using.
Easy ways to reduce water usage in the shower
1. Shorten your shower time
Cutting just 1–2 minutes off your daily shower can save litres of water every day.
2. Switch to a water-efficient shower
Modern shower technology can deliver a powerful, satisfying experience using significantly less water.
3. Turn off the water while lathering
A simple habit that can make a noticeable difference over time.
4. Fix leaks quickly
Even a small drip can waste litres of water each day and increase your bills.
Thinking of upgrading your shower?
Beyond the bathroom: More ways to save water at home
Saving water doesn’t stop at your shower. Here are some easy changes you can make across your home and garden.
Collect rainwater with a water butt
Water butts allow you to capture rainwater from your roof and reuse it for:
• Watering plants
• Cleaning outdoor spaces
• Washing your car
A typical UK roof can collect thousands of litres of rainwater each year, meaning even a single water butt can save hundreds of litres of mains water over time.
It’s a simple, low-cost way to reduce reliance on treated water – especially during warmer months when outdoor water use is highest.
Use a dishwasher instead of washing up by hand
It might seem surprising, but modern dishwashers are often significantly more water-efficient than washing up in the sink, especially when fully loaded.
A typical dishwasher uses around 10 – 13 litres of water per cycle, while washing the same amount by hand can use 45 litres or more, largely due to continuous rinsing under a running tap.
Tip: Avoid pre-rinsing dishes under running water; simply scrape off food waste before loading to maximise efficiency.
Wash your car with a bucket
Using a hose to wash your car can use around 15 – 20 litres of water per minute, quickly adding up to hundreds of litres during a single wash.
In comparison, washing your car with a bucket and sponge typically uses just 10 – 20 litres in total, making it a far more water-efficient option. Pressure washers can also be a good alternative, using significantly less water than a standard hose while still delivering effective cleaning.
Tip: Use a bucket of cold water to get rid of the initial dirt, followed by warm water and car soap – this saves even more energy and cash!
Use dual flush properly
Toilets account for a significant portion of household water use, so using the correct flush can help minimise unnecessary waste.
Most dual flush toilets use two buttons or a split lever:
- – The smaller button (or shorter press) is for a reduced flush (typically around 3 litres)
- – The larger button is for a full flush (typically around 6 litres)
Tip: If you’re unsure, the smaller button is almost always the eco or short flush; using it where appropriate can save litres of water every day.
Turn off taps when not in use
Simple habits can make a surprisingly big difference over time. Leaving the tap running while brushing your teeth can waste around 6 litres of water per minute.
By turning the tap off while brushing, you can save up to 12 litres per person, per day, depending on brushing time and water flow rate.
Tip: The easiest habit change is simply wetting your toothbrush, turning the tap off, and only turning it back on to rinse.
It’s not just about water, it’s about energy and impact
Hot water use is one of the biggest contributors to household energy demand, meaning reducing water consumption can also help lower energy bills and carbon emissions.
By reducing hot water demand, you can:
• Lower your energy bills
• Reduce carbon emissions
• Improve overall home efficiency
This is becoming increasingly important as homes transition to low-carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps, where managing demand is key to performance.
While small habits across the home can make a difference, the most significant savings often come from high-usage activities – particularly showering. Reducing water at the point of use, without compromising experience, is one of the most effective ways to lower both water and energy demand.
Innovations like Kelda’s air-powered shower technology make this possible, delivering a powerful, immersive shower while using up to 55% less water and energy than traditional systems.
Summary: Quick water-saving checklist
Small changes, big impact
Saving water doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort. By understanding how much water you use and making a few simple changes, you can reduce your environmental impact while still enjoying your daily routine.
- Take shorter showers
- Try the bucket test
- Fix leaks promptly
- Use efficient appliances
- Collect rainwater
- Turn off taps when not in use
- Upgrade to a water-efficient shower
Frequently Asked Questions
Simple ways to save water at home include taking shorter showers, turning off taps when not in use, using water-efficient appliances, collecting rainwater, and reducing unnecessary hot water use.
Want to discuss more ways on how you can improve your water, energy and carbon efficiency?
Related Links
Kelda Showers are recognised within Appendix Q of the UK governments SAP and RdSAP
Find Out More
Residential News: How Kelda Showers is transforming home living with advanced water-efficient shower systems
Find Out More