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Did you know that over 40% of household water is used in the bathroom? If you’re looking for ways to save on your water bill this summer, the bathroom is the place to start. By saving on water usage in the bathroom, you’ve got more to spend where it’s really needed this summer – in the garden.

Did you also know…

• A leaking toilet can waste over 5,000 litres per month?
• A leaking showerhead can waste over 1000 litres per month?
• A leaking tap can waste over 1,600 litres per month?

Depending on your water usage and leaking rate, this can amount to hundreds of dollars on top of your normal annual water bills! Why pay it when you don’t need to? Get your water leaks attended to and use the savings to take the family out for dinner instead.

And, saving on bathroom water usage isn’t just about water leaks. Making sure you have the right equipment installed can also help reduce water costs, and the initial investment is often well and truly covered within a few months.

Water savings tips for your taps

Low flow aerators for taps are an excellent water saving device. They reduce the flow of water but maintain the water pressure. Low flow taps work by mixing air into the water.

Most bathroom taps have a flow of about 9 litres of water per minute. By installing a low flow aerator, this can be reduced to 2 litres per minute saving a significant amount of water use.

Look for equipment which has a higher WELS rating (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards). The more stars, the less water it uses. For taps, choose taps with a 3-star WELS rating as a minimum.

Water saving tips for your toilets

A good deal of water, around 15% of our household water use, is flushed down the toilet with normal everyday use. Other than attending to any leaks, there are ways to save a significant amount of water by opting for some simple water-saving strategies:

• By installing a 4-star rated WELS dual flush cistern, you could save up to 8 litres per day with every flush.
• Make use of the half flush option in a dual flush cistern, and make sure other household members know the difference.

A leaking toilet wastes far more water than a leaking tap or a showerhead, so make sure to get onto these as soon as possible.

Water saving tips for your showers

Most old style shower heads use 15-20 litres per minute whereas a water saving shower head will reduce this to 9 litres per minute. Water saving showerheads distribute the water over a greater surface area using less water. If you take a 5 minute shower, that’s a saving of at least 35 litres per shower – 3.5 buckets of water right there!

• Buy a water shaving shower head which also cuts out when the water gets too hot, saving you on your electrical bill as well.
• Take shorter showers. By reducing your shower time by 5 minutes a day, you’ll save over 300 litres per month.
• Use a bucket in the shower to capture water as it heats up, then use this in your garden.

Many local councils offer to swap old shower heads for new ones so check with your local council before you go shopping.

Give Ken a Call to help make your bathroom water-wise

Ken Hall Plumbers will advise on a range of water saving options for your bathroom. Call us on 08 8364 5855 for advice on how to save on your water and energy bills. We’ll make sure your toilets, taps and showers are working for your household in the most efficient way possible.