According to experts, having a shower is cheaper than having a bath
(Picture: PA Archive)From April onwards, water bills are set to rise by 7.5 per cent to an average £448 a year, with industry body Water UK saying the increase would see customers pay around £1.23 per day on average.
Consumer groups and charities warn this rise could prove to be the tipping point for many Brits and say cheaper social tariffs should be made fairer and more consistent.
Water UK argued that water bills still remain lower in real terms compared to a decade ago, adding that this year’s increase reflected higher energy costs.
Low-income households
The increase will mean all households will pay around 8p more a day, working out as an average of £31 a year.
Families who do need help as subject to a postcode lottery of social tariff schemes, according to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), allowing some to be able to “slip through the net”.
CCW chief executive Emma Clancy said: “These increases will bring more uncertainty to struggling households at a time when they can’t be certain they will get the help they need.
“Low-income households need immediate relief and the long-term security of knowing their water bill will be affordable.
“It’s not fair that struggling households face a postcode lottery when it comes to getting help with their bill - that’s why we urgently need a new water-affordability scheme that provides consistent support based on people’s needs.”
What’s cheaper, a bath or shower?
For those who don’t fall under the bracket of low-income households, doing all you can to save on water wastage is key.
With this in mind, is it better to have a shower or a bath to help save on water bills?
Both options can vary and it’s best to check whether your water bill is on a fixed rate or if it’s measured with a water meter.
Generally, however, when it comes to which options are cheaperm a shower is your best option.
According to the Metro, a 100-litre bath requires 3.84 kWh of energy to heat up to 40°C.
If a person uses gas to heat their water, the price sits at around 28p, however, if using electric, the figures jumps to around £1.09 for a bath, which will be higher with the new tariffs in place.
A shower on the other hand, depending on your regional provider, will come to approximately 25p a wash, also increasing with the new tariffs.
Other ways to save on water
According to OfWat, water regulators in England and Wales, tips to save on your water bills include:
- Use a bowl in the sink when washing fruit, vegetables, or dishes as you can then use the waste water to water your plants
- Fill a jug of water and put it in the fridge for when you want a cool drink
- Turn off the tap when you clean your teeth as a running tap uses up to nine litres of water a minute
- Wait until you have a full load before using your washing machine or your dishwasher
- Use a water-saving device in your toilet cistern as, depending on the size of your cistern, you could save between one and three litres each time you flush the toilet
- Use a watering can in the garden instead of a sprinkler or hosepipe
- Think about fitting a water butt to collect rainwater off your roof as water butts usually store about 200 litres of water. As well as being better for watering your plants, using rainwater in the garden reduces the amount of treated water you use
- Check your property regularly for leaks in your internal plumbing
