Winter water saving tips

Hot or cold, we're encouraging everyone to use water wisely.

Although you may think saving water is only when it's hot, it’s important to know that water’s worth saving all through the year. There’s plenty of small changes that we all can do to help save water and help the environment. Remember, that water is vital and every drop counts!

Not only is it crucial to the future of our environment to save water but it could help save you money. Around a fifth of energy (gas and electricity) used in the home is used to heat water.

Here are our top tips for saving water (and energy!) this winter:

All those hot drinks! Make sure you only fill the kettle with the amount of water needed for your cuppa – saving both water and energy each time!
If you do boil too much, why not save the rest in a flask? Or you could fill up a flask at the start of the day if you’re working from home. This saves you energy, water and precious time between those online meetings!
Burst pipes could cost you over £8k to fix. Check out our winter weather advice, as it’s vital during cold spells to protect your pipes.
Don’t pour the water from your hot water bottle down the drain. If it’s cool, why not use it to water your plants?
Switch the bath for a shower. You’ll save 30 litres of water each time, that’s the same as putting on the dishwasher twice!
If you fancy a luxurious winter shower, then check out our tip for a spa like shower here.
If a bath is a must, then why not reduce it by just 1 inch. You’ll save 15 litres of water, that’s the same as two watering cans full of water and also saves on your heating bill
Wearing more layers than normal? Make sure your washing machine is full before you use them and set it to the most efficient water and energy settings
If the comfort food is out, then make sure your dishwasher is full before you use it. Did you know, using a full dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand?!
Getting your house ready to hibernate in? Order your free water saving kit for easy to install water saving devices for your home.

Make sure you look after your pipes outside too. Read our winter weather advice to avoid you having frozen pipes and no hot water this year.
It’s important to let your plants rest over winter. Don’t overwater to avoid root rot. House plants may only need watering every two weeks, and outdoor plants might only need watering a few times each month.
Switch off any sprinklers and put away that watering can. Lawns can become dormant in cold weather, so there’s no need to water it
If you do need to water the garden, do so early in the day when the ground isn’t frozen, so they have time to absorb the water before it gets too cold
Tis the season to get a water butt. The good thing about rainy cold weather is that it’s a great time to install a water butt to collect rainfall. We’ve discounted water butts here.
Get your hoody on and wash your car when it rains. Not only are you saving water but it saves you a job of rinsing it after!
If you’re out and about, please help us spot leaks. Cold weather can cause pipe damage. To save water in your area, report any leaks you spot so that they can be fixed quickly.