Save water in the bathroom
More than half the water we use at home is used in the bathroom, – so it’s a good place to start saving water.
Troublesome toilets
Leaky loos are common, and they can waste up to 400 litres of water a day. The good news is that leaks are often easy to sort out. Here’s what you need to know:
Dual-flush toilets save water by letting you use less water to flush wees. BUT they rely on a rubber seal to keep water in the cistern. Limescale and wear and tear often mean the valve leaks a constant trickle into the toilet.
How to spot it:
- Order a free LeakyLoo strip to check if your toilet leaks
- You can also place a piece of toilet tissue against the back of the pan – a leak will make it drift downward
Get FREE water-saving gadgets
Some gadgets help you use less water as a matter of course. We offer FREE water-saving devices or check online or in your local DIY store to buy a device – if you’re on a water meter, they usually pay for themselves through reduced water bills in no time!
Buffaloo
If you have an older-style toilet with a capacity of over 7.5 litres (typically installed pre-2001), you can improve water efficiency with a Buffaloo.
The Buffaloo is a bag-like device that you fill with water then leave in your cistern, saving 1-2 litres of water per flush. A family of four using a water meter could save almost £100 a year by using one.
Four-minute timer
A minute less in the shower could save £30 per person per year on bills. Unless you prefer cold showers (brrrr!) you’ll also save on the energy used to heat the water.
To use the timer, just flip when you turn the shower on, and make sure you’re out by the time the sand runs out. A suction cup holds the timer to your tiles or shower screen for convenience.
Water-regulating shower head
On average, showers account for one quarter of household water use. In most homes, water pressure changes from day to day – you won’t notice the difference.
A water-regulating shower head limits the amount of water that can be used per minute, so that fluctuating water pressure doesn’t result in more water being used. The device just fits inside your existing shower head – you won’t notice the difference but you’ll save water over time.
Tap aerator
You may also be able to fit regulators to your basin taps. These limit flow rate to around 5 litres per minute, ratrher than the standard 10 litre per minute flow rate.
Many fittings come with an aerator that adds bubbles to water, giving the impression of increased volume so you get the same great wash with less water.