This beautiful weather is perfect for BBQ’s, beach trips and a general feeling of holiday-inspired happiness.
The down side is that there’s been so little rain of late that there are already the rumblings of a possible impending hosepipe ban. We each use, on average, a whopping 150 litres of water EVERY DAY to wash, cook and clean.
Being a little more economical about our water usage is important because, although we’re not likely to run out entirely any time soon thanks to our temperate climate, generating clean water is a costly business. Maintaining the water levels in our reservoirs throughout the year matters – both because we’re used to the convenience of a constant supply and effective plumbing, and because the wild inhabitants of the country need these habitats to survive.
Simple water-saving tips for the whole home
Top tips for saving water in your bathroom
Installing a water-saving shower head and ultra-low-flush toilet means you’re instantly using significantly less water. Every minute spent in a power shower uses up to 17 litres of water, and the average household flushes the loo 5,000 times a year. A low-flush toilet uses only 4–6 litres per flush compared to 13 litres in an old-style loo, and if you can’t stretch to a new toilet, a cheap and effective cistern bag can help.
Taking slightly shorter showers makes a huge difference too – 1 minute less can save up to 7 litres of water (and the energy used to heat it).
It sounds simple, but switching the shower off whilst you’re lathering up, and not leaving the water running before you get in, helps too. If your bathroom is freezing cold, or your hot water is unreliable and needs boosting, get in touch with us – you may benefit from a new bathroom radiator or an improved central heating system, saving energy and reducing water waste at the same time.
Lots of people are still guilty of leaving the tap running whilst brushing their teeth (this can waste 6 litres a minute). It takes about 7 days to break a habit, so a temporary reminder stuck up in the bathroom can help the whole family make the change.
When it comes to plumbing, leaky taps, pipes and toilets can be easily resolved, avoiding both damage and water wastage – have a quick check around, or give the Roost Heating team a call if you have concerns.
Simple ways to save water in the kitchen
Keeping a jug of cold water in the fridge means an end to running the tap to get a drink nice and cold.
Using a washing-up bowl rather than just the sink to wash veg, salad or dishes means you can put the leftover water on your plants rather than down the drain.
If you fill the dishwasher up efficiently every time, you’ll use less water than washing up by hand – just make sure everyone in the family knows how to stack it full.
You don’t need to rinse dirty dishes before they go into the dishwasher – just scrape off the debris before loading, and clear the dishwasher filter regularly.
Water-saving tips for the garden
Maintaining a garden in hot weather uses a lot of water, but this can be minimised with a few habits.
Water outdoor plants in the early morning or at the end of the day to stop water evaporating immediately in sunlight and heat. Water the soil so the liquid goes straight to the roots, where it’s needed.
Mulching your plants with bark chippings or straw can help reduce evaporation and cut down on watering.
Installing a water butt can save up to 5,000 litres of water a year, and rainwater is better for your plants than tap water anyway. Using a watering can rather than a hose is more effort, but cuts water use by at least 33%.
Sustainable heating, from Roost Heating
At Roost Heating, we aim to work as sustainably as possible and provide the most efficient, environmentally attuned heating systems we can. We’re always full of ideas about how you can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your home heating and plumbing – and if you’re interested in alternative energy solutions like solar panels or heat pumps (ground or air source), we can design, install and maintain them for you.
As well as everyday water-saving habits, smart heating controls, available through our smart controls range, can significantly improve your sustainability credentials – learning your energy usage and heating requirements so you use less overall, while always coming home to a warm house and a hot shower.
If you’d like to find out more about improving the efficiency or sustainability of your home heating or plumbing, why not get in touch?