In his recent episode of "The Martin Lewis Money Show" on ITV, Martin Lewis shared tips on how Britons can beat the forthcoming 7.5 percent increase in water bills. One of his suggestions was to check if they are eligible for a money-saving meter.
From April 1, water bills in England and Wales are set to rise by an average of 7.5 percent, while those in Scotland will see an increase of 5 percent. Lewis encouraged viewers to take advantage of the free two-year trial offered by most water providers in England and Wales for a water meter.
The financial expert provided an example of how two individuals living in a three-bedroom house could save on their water bills by opting for a meter. He explained that water bills are based on the rateable value, a proxy for the house value, but pointed out that households may actually use less water and, therefore, pay less.
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A viewer of the programme wrote in to share the exciting news of saving £400 annually on their water bill by installing a water meter on a two-year trial.
The viewer, Debra, said: "Took your advice on water bills. Last year we paid £717.00 so we opted for the two year trial to have a meter.
"Chuffed to bits with our first bill of £121, with an average saving of £400. We have since shared this with our family and friends and three have changed to water meter as well."
According to the Money Saving Expert, households have the option to switch back to a non-metered billing system within two years if a water meter proves to be unsuitable. This news delighted Martin Lewis, who estimated the savings from a £121 six-monthly bill to be £242 per year.
When considering a water meter, it is also advisable to determine if there are more or the same number of bedrooms as residents in the household. However, if a water meter cannot be fitted by the water company due to practicability issues, Martin suggests using the consumer council's water calculator and requesting an assessed charge.
He said: "[This] will tell you roughly what you would pay on a water meter if you did have one and if that is cheaper you could just pay the lower amount."
In addition, he advised that individuals who receive benefits, have disabilities, or have medical conditions which require frequent showers or baths, should contact their water company to see if they qualify for a more cost-effective tariff.
"And finally there are over one million free water-saving gadgets," Martin said. "It's postcode dependent, some people get them some people don't.
"Savewatersavemoney.co.uk, which you can get totally for free from your water firm, cuts water and it cuts your energy use too, because remember much of the water that we use is heated."
However, it is worth noting that there are two water companies that do not permit changing back from a water meter, so it is important to verify with them before making a decision.
Last week, Martin also warned that approximately 800,000 Britons may be missing out on tax-free childcare benefits worth up to £2,000 annually.
He stated that parents of children aged three to four years old are eligible for 15 to 30 hours of free childcare per week, which can be provided by childminders, nurseries, after-school clubs, or holiday clubs, based on the location and working hours of the parents.
Parents can apply through their chosen provider or local authority, although the expert acknowledged that there may be challenges, as some childcare providers claim that the government does not provide sufficient funding and provision may vary.
Despite this, Martin emphasised that it is still worth checking if you are eligible.
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