How to Save Energy in the Bathroom

Drowning in energy bills? We’re sharing our top bathroom energy saving tips to help keep costs low.

We’re all trying to be more energy conscious around our home, but have you ever thought about how much energy your bathroom alone is consuming? 

While we can all switch off our TVs or take a break from our computers, the bathroom is the one place we use every single day. And the more people you have under one roof, the more energy yours will consume.

The average household could save hundreds each year by making simple switches like timing your showers or fitting aerators to your taps!

Ditch the Bath

If you love nothing more than kicking back in a hot bath every evening, this daily habit could be eating away at your energy bill, not to mention your water bill if you’re using a meter.

Ditching just 1 bath a week and replacing it with a 4-minute shower could help save you upwards of £12 a year. Try swapping your daily baths for a timed shower every day over the month to see how much of a difference this makes to your monthly bills.

Time your Showers

Did you know that the average brit spends between 7-8 minutes every day in the shower? Depending on how many people showering under your roof, we’re no mathematicians, but that’s a lot of water. And on top of water usage, think about how much energy is being used heating up the water with every shower you take.

Cutting your shower time down to just 4 minutes will not only reduce the volume of water going down the drain but means your household will be using far less energy.

Did you know? With recent energy bill increases, a 10-minute shower costs between 69p and £1.88. By cutting your time in the shower down, you could be saving ££s per year.

Fix those leaks

If you have a drippy tap that you just haven’t got around to fixing, it could be costing you serious money without you even realising. A leaking tap can waste thousands of litres of water a year. 

To prevent yours from leaking, make sure your taps are properly turned off after using them and make sure you’re changing the washers immediately once they start to leak.

Turn off the Tap

One of the biggest water wasters in your bathroom is the tap! A running tap can use more than 10 litres of water per minute, so make sure you don’t leave it on while brushing your teeth or shaving.

Use an Aerator

Ever heard of an aerator? This little gadget can be attached to the end of your tap to reduce your water usage. Its tiny holes disperse your tap water like a shower head would, providing a powerful splash without rinsing money down the drain.

Swap hot for cold water

The cost of heating water in your home makes up just over 10% of household energy bills. So, next time you quickly turn the tap on to rinse your hands or wash your face, consider using the cold instead of hot to save yourself some money. 

Change your bulbs

The next time your bathroom light needs changing, make sure you opt for an LED bulb. Energy-efficient LEDs are much more cost-effective than traditional bulbs, saving you a chunk of money on your annual electricity bill.

Find out how to be eco friendly on a budget in our money saving guide.

Get a new showerhead

Invest in an energy-efficient showerhead and save money on your water bill. There are two types to choose from:

• Non-aerating showerheads push your water through small holes, producing a high-pressure ‘massaging’ water flow. These are ideal for those of you who like putting your shower on the most powerful setting.

• Aerating showerheads restrict your water flow and mix it with air, producing a gentle stream of water that’s not much different from a standard showerhead. The only downside to this type of shower head is it can sometimes lower the temperature of your water. So, if you prefer boiling hot showers, this may not be the right option for you.

Switch off electricals

While we may not realise it, fans, light switches and electrical appliances like razors and toothbrush chargers can be eating away at electricity and energy bills. Make sure to get into a habit of unplugging electricals or switching them off at the plug to avoid unnecessary costs. And, don’t forget to switch to LED Light bulbs where possible.

Use smart home apps

If you’re struggling to keep track of how much energy & water you’re using, there are plenty of apps out there you can monitor from your smartphone. From smart lights to smart heating, taking control of your energy has never been easier!

Track and monitor your devices while they’re on and turn them on and off whenever you please from the palm of your hand.

A few of our favourite apps include:

• Amazon Alexa
• Smart Things
• EDF App
• Smart Home Heating
• WeMo
• JouleBug

Invest in an Electric Towel Rail

If you love a cosy bathroom, invest in an electric towel rail and heat your space without touching the boiler. Electric towel rails run on electricity however, many come with an off switch, allowing you to quickly turn them off when they’re not needed.

Bathroom Energy Usage FAQs

Is a bath or shower more energy efficient?

While it may appear on the surface that showering is more energy-efficient than running a bath, this all depends on how you’re showering. The average shower can pump out up to 12 litres of water per minute, this is even more for those using a power shower. So if you’re showering for 7-8 minutes every day, you could be using upwards of 96 litres per day, per shower.

On average, a bath is typically filled with around 80 litres of water per use. However, cutting your shower down to 4 minutes could half the amount of water you use. Paired with using an energy-efficient shower head that works to reduce the flow of water using air, could greatly reduce the amount of water you use making a shower more energy-efficient.

What is the most energy-efficient shower?

While electric showers are more energy-efficient, they will naturally consume more electricity, making them the more expensive option. For the most energy-efficient shower, you will need to invest in either a non-aerating showerhead or an aerating shower head. Both work to reduce the flow of water through either tiny holes or by mixing the water with air.

Is a 15-minute shower too long?

According to the CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention), the average shower should take 8 minutes. If you’re showering longer than this, you could be using more than 100 litres of water- bad news for your energy bill. So, if you’re a lover of long showers, you may want to consider cutting back.

Do power showers use a lot of electricity?

Although power showers do not heat your water with an electric current like an electric shower they do still require a source of electricity. Generally, power showers provide a more powerful flow however, electric showers are more efficient and cheaper to run.

How much does a 1-hour shower cost?

According to United Utilities, 1000 litres of water costs £3.08. An hour-long shower uses an estimated 681 litres of water, costing you less than £3.