Homes And Businesses Can Save £100s On Water Bills With Six Simple Changes
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In today's economic climate, homes and businesses across the UK constantly seek innovative ways to reduce operational costs. One area that often gets overlooked is water usage.
Thankfully, with smart, easy changes, businesses can significantly reduce their water bills, which can lead to substantial savings and contribute to environmental sustainability. Following these tips, a business could save up to £1,000 on their water bill.
To aid in this saving, business utility comparison site Clearsight Energy has revealed some practical ways that people can cut costs in their business, these methods can also be implemented at home.
1. Fix leaking or dripping taps - Save up to £398.67
Fixing a dripping tap is one of the simplest yet most effective changes businesses can make. Water.org reports that a dripping tap wastes at least 5,500 litres of water annually, equating to a wastage of £22.12 per tap.
Should it progress to a trickle, a tap can waste up to 175,000 litres yearly, costing around £398.67, according to a study from Tap Warehouse. A failed washer is the most common cause of a dripping tap and replacing it can be done in five simple steps:
Cover the drain to prevent anything falling down it
Turn off the water
Remove the tap top and valve
Replace the washer
Replace the top
2. Energy-efficient dishwashers - Save up to £78.66
Dishwashers can consume a lot of water and energy for businesses, especially in the hospitality industry.
Upgrading to energy-efficient dishwashers can drastically reduce this usage. Compared to a standard machine, they use around 30% less water, which equates to an annual saving of £40.16, and 12% less energy, which equates to around £38.50, when used daily.
According to Choice, a consumer advocacy group, washing dishes by hand can use up to 100 litres of water. However, older dishwashers, though not efficient by today's standards, only use about half the water of washing up by hand, with newer models using as little as 8.4 litres per cycle.
Businesses without any form of dishwasher should consider investing in one, even an older pre-owned model, due to these potential savings. Those who already have a dishwasher should opt, where possible, to wash full loads only and use the water-saving setting if there is one.
3. Low-water-use toilets - Save £56.95 annually per person
Toilets are another area where businesses can make significant water savings. Traditional toilets use a large amount of water per flush, up to 14 litres. Still, modern low-water-use toilets can reduce this by around 80%. This results in savings of up to 25,000 litres, or around £56.95, of water per person annually.
Dual-flush toilets, for example, offer flush options for different volumes of waste, allowing users to choose a lighter flush when appropriate. Installing these toilets can lower your water usage and reduce your overall water bill while maintaining the same level of sanitation and comfort for employees and customers.
For those with super strict budgets, installing a water displacement device can be a viable option, these devices effectively cause the cistern to underfill and use slightly less water per flush.
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It’s important for businesses and homeowners to be aware of the potential water savings they can generate without any upfront cost,
4. Rainwater harvesting systems - £306 savings on average
A rainwater harvesting system allows businesses to collect and store rainwater for non-consumable uses, such as watering plants, toilet flushing, and cleaning. This reduces reliance on tap water and can lead to significant savings, particularly in regions with high rainfall.
A great first step in rainwater harvesting is installing a water butt which can be purchased for as little as £34 on Amazon. This allows for testing the reclaimed water process without the costs associated with a complete system install.
More extensive harvesting solutions can help save 40-50% off the average home water bill, which equates to up to £306 for a family of four, according to Southern Water’s 2023 rates. Considering that the average home uses 30% of its water to flush the toilet, businesses could see significant savings by using rainwater.
5. Leak detection systems - Potential to save £1,000s
It’s thought that undetected leaks lead to three billion litres of water wastage every day across England alone, according to Global Citizen. The European Commission estimates that smart leak detection technologies can save up to 50% of public water supplies. Installing leak detection systems helps identify and repair leaks promptly, with some systems automatically shutting off the water supply.
As a bonus, insurers encourage using leak detection devices, and businesses may be eligible for further discounts if they have one installed. A great starting point for businesses and homeowners who cannot commit to a leak detection method is to manually inspect visible plumbing for leaks and fix them promptly. This helps avoid any surprise repair fees from water damage that could occur.
UKLeakDetection reports that repairing a leak in kitchen walls and tiles can cost up to £10,000, and correctly drying concrete floors can cost as much as £1,000.
6. Aerators for taps - Up to £110.17 per person
Installing aerators on taps can reduce water flow while maintaining the same pressure. Aerators mix air with water, making the flow feel stronger while using less water. They are easy to install and can be fitted to most standard taps.
Considering that an office worker is estimated to use 75 litres of water each day and a restaurant uses around 265 litres per seat daily, business owners have many opportunities to save. According to online aggregator platform Econaur.com, taps with aerators use up to 50% less water. This equates to savings of up to £110.17 per person per year.
A spokesperson from Clearsight Energy added:
“By implementing these simple and effective changes, businesses can drastically reduce their water consumption and save on operational costs. Tap aerators and energy-efficient dishwashers are just a couple of the many ways companies can be more water-wise without compromising service quality.
“It’s important for businesses and homeowners to be aware of the potential water savings they can generate without any upfront cost, such as a simple check of visible plumbing for obvious leaks and running dishwashers in water-saving modes with full loads.”