Are your water-saving habits draining your wallet instead of saving it?
In a revelation for UK households, common water-saving habits could actually be adding up to £300 to your annual bills, according to experts in home efficiency, Plumbworld. According to these experts in bathroom and kitchen efficiency, there are ten persistent myths about water usage that could be unnecessarily inflating household bills and impacting the environment.
James Richardson, an experienced plumber working with Plumbworld:
“Many of these myths are costing households far more than they realize. A dripping tap, for example, might seem minor, but it’s one of the easiest issues to fix and can save thousands of litres annually. Dishwashers are another area where simple changes, like running full loads and skipping the rinse, can cut water and energy use significantly. With dual-flush toilets, a quick dye test every few months can spot leaks early, preventing wastage and high bills.
“Small adjustments like these can add up to major savings and a more sustainable home.”
Top Myths That Could Be Costing You Big Time—and How to Fix Them
- Myth: Fixing a dripping tap isn’t urgent.Reality: A single dripping tap may not seem like a big deal, but over the course of a year, it can waste up to 5,500 litres of water—enough to fill a small swimming pool. Besides the environmental impact, this adds unnecessary costs to your water bill.
Inspect your taps regularly for signs of drips or leaks, especially in areas like kitchens and bathrooms where taps see frequent use. Replacing worn-out washers or seals is often a straightforward DIY task, but if the problem persists, call a plumber to ensure the issue doesn’t escalate.
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Myth: It’s cheaper to wash dishes by hand than using a dishwasher.
Reality: Handwashing can use up to 40 litres of water per session, whereas a modern, energy-efficient dishwasher uses as little as 9 litres per cycle. When fully loaded, dishwashers are not only more water-efficient but can also save you significant time.
Always wait until your dishwasher is fully loaded before running it. Use the eco or energy-saving setting whenever possible, and scrape dishes rather than rinsing to cut down on water use further. If you don’t own a dishwasher, consider installing one—many come with rebates for energy-efficient models.
- Myth: Dual-flush toilets don’t always save water.Reality: While dual-flush systems are designed to use less water, improper maintenance can negate their efficiency. Leaky cisterns or faulty mechanisms often go unnoticed, leading to wasted water. Properly functioning dual-flush toilets, however, can reduce water usage by up to 67% compared to older single-flush models.
Regularly check for leaks by adding food dye to your toilet tank—if the colour appears in the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak. Ensure the mechanism is functioning properly and consult a plumber for repairs if necessary.
- Myth: Short showers don’t make a difference.Reality: Reducing your shower time by just two minutes can save over 25 litres of water daily—or more than 9,000 litres per year. This small adjustment can significantly reduce your water bill and help conserve this precious resource, especially in areas prone to drought.
Use a timer to keep your showers under five minutes. Switching to a water-saving showerhead can amplify your savings while still maintaining excellent water pressure. You can even make it fun by creating a short playlist of songs to time your showers.
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Myth: Using hot water to rinse dishes doesn’t waste energy.
Reality: Heating water accounts for a significant portion of the average household energy bill. Rinsing dishes with hot water before placing them in the dishwasher is not only wasteful but unnecessary, as modern dishwashers are designed to handle dirty dishes effectively.
Skip the rinse altogether and let your dishwasher do the work. For stuck-on food, soak dishes briefly in a basin with cold water and a drop of detergent. If you must handwash, use warm (not hot) water and fill the sink rather than running the tap.
