Energy saving ideas for your bathroom

Being a bit more energy wise around the house doesn't cost a lot (or nothing at all) and it can save you money in the long run. Follow our simple tips for an energy saving bathroom and you could save enough to splash out on something special.

Tips that cost nothing

Little things can make a really big difference to your energy bills and sometimes, those little things can seem really obvious.

1. Fix dripping/leaking taps

Leaks waste more water than you think. A dripping tap or shower head shouldn't take a moment to fix and most of the time, it can be done for free.

2. Use less water

It may sound obvious – but if you are quick in the shower or run shallow baths you'll use less energy! Doing this regularly can save more than you might think.

3. Use cold water where you can

Where you're able to try and use cold water rather than hot. Now, we're not suggesting you have freezing showers! But you could rinse your toothbrush and hands in cold water. And while we are talking about brushing your teeth – don't leave the tap on. This can waste up to 8,000 litres of water a year.(1)

4. Switch off electrical items

Switch off lights and fans and unplug electrical items. Sounds like a small thing but it can make a difference. Additionally, even swapping your light bulbs for energy-saving ones can make a big difference on your energy bill, find out more about the benefits of energy-saving light bulbs.

5. Talk to members of your household

Make sure everyone in your house understands why you want to save energy and how they can help.

6. Switching energy providers

You can save by switching energy providers. We have a range of tariffs that can make it easier to budget and plan ahead.

7. Use smart home apps

Tracking and monitoring your device usage with smart home apps is a great way to keep an eye on the devices that are in use and be able to turn them on and off. 

Tips at an extra cost

If you have a shower that's fed directly from your boiler or hot water tank, fitting an energy efficient shower head could seriously reduce the amount of hot water you use.

1. Swap to an energy efficient shower head

In the UK, the average shower takes around 8 minutes and will use an estimated 60 litres of water.(2) That may be less than a bath but even so, with prices from as little as about £5.00(3) an energy-efficient shower head could reduce the amount of water you use even further. When you're using less water, you need less energy to heat it.

There are two main types of energy-efficient shower heads, these are:

• Non-aerating shower heads work by forcing the water through smaller holes to produce a high-pressure flow with a vigorous 'massaging' effect.
• Aerating shower heads work by restricting the flow of water and mixing it with air. This makes the water appear to flow at the same volume as a normal shower head and results in a more gentle showering experience.

Pros and cons

A non-aerating shower head feels harder on the skin. Some people prefer a more vigorous shower but if you're not one of them, you might prefer an aerating shower head.

Although softer on the skin, an aerating shower head mixes room-temperature air with the water so you might find yourself turning the heat up to compensate. If you do, this can limit the savings you make so maybe taking shorter showers is the answer.

2. Flushing options

Some toilets now come with different flushing options – to use less or more water. If you don't have a dual flush toilet you can install a converter – a save a flush bag that many water companies will send you.

You can learn how to fit these yourself with this video.

3. Install an electric towel rail

Need an energy saving bathroom heating idea? Electric towel rails run off your home's electricity supply which could save you energy. Many of these options come with an on and off switch – which means it won't be left running constantly.

4. Install underfloor heating

Underfloor heating is a great way to keep your bathroom toasty and clutter-free from radiators. However, it is expensive to install.

Pros

• The luxury of warm toes on cold winter mornings.
• Heat is distributed evenly so underfloor heating can be more efficient than radiators that heat specific areas.
• It's invisible! The heating is hidden away and doesn't ruin your bathroom design.

Cons

• It can take longer to heat up than a radiator.
• It can be pricey to fit, maintain and run.
• If your system is smaller it may only heat the floor and leave the rest of the room chilly – so you may also need to use radiators.

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