Water saving and energy conservation

Saving water

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The average person uses some 150 litres of water every day. Our lifestyles coupled with an increasing population have and will continue to change, this results in putting more demand on our water supply's. With more and more people using dishwashers, washing machines, power showers and with more interest in gardening the demand for water has never been greater.

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Unfortunately due to changes in our climate caused by global warning the UK experiences milder winters, warmer summers and more importantly for our water supplies more droughts and reduced rain fall. This all means that unless everybody does their part in water conservation we may find in the future that our water demands outstrips our water supply.

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How you can save water

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There are many ways in which you can reduce water consumption in your home, thereby doing you bit for the environment and also potentially saving you money (especially if you are on a water meter). You do not always have to purchase energy saving products such as washing machines to do your bit (although that will certainly help) you can save a substantial amount of water by simply stop any dripping taps, having showers (non power assisted) instead of baths, etc. Below is a brief list of some of the things that you could do to save and conserve our water supply.

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How you can help:

• Try to use washing machines and dishwashers only when you have a full load. On many machines the half load button will use more than half the water of a full load
• Turn off the tap whilst brushing your teeth
• Try to use the plug in your washbasin when you're shaving, rather than leaving the tap running
• In most cases you should aim to take a shower rather than a bath - on average? a 5 minute shower will use approximately 40 litres compared to 100 litres in an average sized bath
• If you have a dual flush cistern on your toilet, use the shorter flush whenever possible
• In your garden why not target the specific plants or areas that need water with a watering can rather than a hosepipe or sprinkler?
• Avoid watering in the midday sun as the water will evaporate. The best time to water the garden is early morning, or in the evening
• Collect rain water for later use in a water butt. These are easily plumbed into your existing guttering and downpipes
• Attend to any dripping taps promptly, a dripping tap can waste up to a pint of water in just 10 minutes.

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How you can save energy

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There are two main areas in which your can do your bit to conserve energy, firstly through making sure that you use energy efficient appliances, such as boilers, dishwashers and washing machines, and also only use as much energy as you really need. Secondly make sure that the energy that is produced for your heating or hot water is not wasted, by making sure your home is adequately insulated.

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Ways to save energy within your home

• Don't leave appliances on standby
• Install Energy Saving Recommended bulbs.
• Only boil as much water as you need
• Insulate your loft?
• Install cavity wall insulation
• Upgrade your boiler
• Buy Energy Saving Recommended appliances
• Turn your thermostat down by 1^oC
• Wash your laundry at 30^oC
• Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat shouldn't need to be set higher than 60?C/140?F
• Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows
• Always turn off the lights when you leave a room
• Install double glazed windows throughout your home
• Draught proof windows and doors
• Fit a hot water jacket on your cylinder

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Links for further reading