Save Water, Save Energy

No one likes to waste water. However, only around 8% of people realise their water usage contributes to their energy bills. How well do you know your water usage? Do you know how much water and energy you could save by being water efficient? Do you know that simple changes to your water use can save you money? Find out now.

Did you know that your water use at home contributes to your energy bills? Each person in the UK uses on average, around 150 litres of water each day whilst around 23% of a household's heating bill is from heating water; when you shower, run hot water from the tap, use your kettle, washing machine and dishwasher. On average this amounts to £160 per year.

But the water efficiency and energy saving link does not end in the home. Transporting water from the pumping station to households uses energy, so rainwater harvesting is a serious energy-and-water saving option. In 2004 the Natural Resources Defense Council did a study in conjunction with the Pacific Institute called “Energy Down the Drain” on how saving water saves energy. Water utilities use large amounts of energy to treat and deliver water, and even after utilities deliver water, consumers burn more energy to heat, cool and use it. One of the ways to save water and energy is rainwater harvesting being a serious water efficiency tool and energy saver.

When we use water, we are often using energy, mostly to heat the water. Generating energy produces carbon dioxide emissions and carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases which are a contributing to climate change. Heating water in our homes makes up about 4% of the UK’s total carbon dioxide emissions.

Saving water can also reduce your water bill (if you’re on a water meter), reduce your energy use and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by using less energy to pump, heat and treat the water. If every UK home reduced their hot water use by just 5%, the carbon dioxide saving would be equivalent to taking more than 340,000 cars off the roads!

Save Water and Energy in homes and businesses.

Heating water uses a great deal of energy. Small things magnified a million times over, like using water efficient washing machines or taking shorter showers save large amounts of energy.

With climate change concerns, pervasive droughts and high energy prices across the country, nearly everyone is looking for ways to conserve water, energy and cut costs. The good news is that by using a little “water sense” we can all use less water, energy, and save money.

Edited from Energy Saving Trust