Water bills can be expensive, and can vary significantly depending on where you live. Bills rose by an average of 6 per cent in the UK in 2012, while more general bill rises are expected in the future as part of the increasing costs of household utilities. In this context, it’s important to find some easy ways in which you can save money on your water bill. These ways can range from understanding how you’re billed, and how a water meter can be added to your property, through to adopting good eco practices when using water in the home. At the same time, it’s worth investing in some water saving devices, while altering your gardening and water recycling habits. Doing so can lead to significant savings in the annual cost of your water.
1 – Install a Water Meter
Most houses are charged for water on a rate basis, which can apply to a whole area, or to a certain price band for a property. However, this can mean that you end up paying a higher average cost for your water and sewerage, even if you use these services less than another property. One way around this problem is to install a water meter, which can be acquired for free from local water companies. A meter will calculate how much water you use, and will allow you to produce a more itemised bill.
2 – Adopt Good Eco Practices
A lot of water is lost around the house through simple wastage. You can boost your savings by making some straightforward changes to your daily water routine. These ways can include investing in a low flush, or eco flush, toilet, and can also include checking taps for leaks, and recovering water from a shower or bath for the garden. Moreover, don’t boil too much water in the kettle, avoid half filling wash machines, and try to wash dishes by hand, rather than in a washer.
3 – Invest in Water Saving Devices
The use of water saving devices can help to make your household more efficient. Ways of achieving this can range from installing flow restricting shower heads, through to taking on showers that have a timer set up to prevent you from going over a limit of usage. Similarly, flushes can be adjusted for toilets to maintain eco flushes. Water butts can also be added to the garden to conserve waste water, while universal sink plugs can help to prevent water in sinks and baths from being lost.
4 – Change Gardening Habits
Large amounts of water is lost as part of gardening. Hosepipes and lawn, plant, and flower watering can have a particularly negative effect on bills. However, gardening can be made more eco friendly by investing in water butts to collect greywater. Doing so also means that your home isn’t producing CO2 emissions by having to generate and process more water. Similarly, hosepipes can be adjusted to restrict the flow and use of water. Mulch and compost can also be built up around plants and vegetables to prevent moisture from evaporating.
5 – Recycle Water
The recycling of water can take many forms. Perhaps the most common approach is to save water in outside butts, which can then be used for the garden, and as greywater for toilet flushing. Any water recycling system should involve excellent filtration, and pump systems that can convert used water from baths and showers into clean water for further use and washing. Greywater is particularly useful as a way of washing pets, and for cleaning windows and floors, rather than having to use more water from a tap.
Writing on behalf of Discount Electrical, Christina Appleworth looks at some money saving tips to reduce expenditure of your water bills. View the range of water heating equipment from Discount Electrical to keep you warm this winter!