Hot water accounts for up to 20% of your annual electricity bill. That’s enough of a reason to try not to waste it. Are you doing as much as you think you are to save hot water? Take this fun test designed to help you uncover ways to save.
1. Your showers generally last . . .
A. 7 to 10 minutes
B. 10 to 12 minutes
C. more than 12 minutes
Taking shorter showers reduces the amount of water that the water heater needs to replace and heat.
Taking a 10-minute daily shower instead of a 12-minute one will help you save about 10%. Going from 10 to 7 minutes will mean savings of up to about 30%. If every member of the household gets involved, the savings will add up.
Good to know
A low‑flow showerhead uses 20% less water than a standard model.
2. You usually take . . .
A. A shower
B. A shower or a bath
C. A bath
A half‑filled 200‑litre bathtub requires 33% more hot water than a 7‑minute shower with a standard showerhead flow rate of 9.5 litres per minute.
Opt for a shower instead of a bath. And when you do take a bath, only fill it with the amount of water you really need.
3. When you turn on the hot water tap, you . . .
A. Only leave it on for as long as you need
B. Sometimes leave it on between two uses
C. Leave it on even if you’re not using it
Turn off the tap as soon as you are no longer using the water, for instance, when you are shaving or removing your make‑up.
And since water is such a precious resource, this tip is also valid for cold water.
4. You typically wash your clothes in . . .
A. Cold water
B. Warm water
C. Hot water
For most loads, cold water washes just as effectively as hot water. And the savings are considerable: one hot‑water cycle can use up to 18 times more electricity than a cold‑water cycle.
Reserve warm or hot water for greasy or oily stains or items that need to be decontaminated.
And for very dirty clothes, presoaking them can help you avoid washing them twice.
5. You use the dishwasher . . .
A. Only when it’s full
B. Even if there’s still empty space
C. Often when it’s half full
To get the most out of each cycle, make sure the dishwasher is full.
An intensive cycle is not always necessary. Choose the short wash or the cycle that best reflects how dirty the dishes are.
Do you rinse your dishes before placing them in the dishwasher? You don’t need to. In addition to being unnecessary, this step is energy‑intensive because the hot water is running continuously. Just scrape off any remaining food from the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. One less thing to do!
So, are you on the right track?
Add up all your As, Bs and Cs, and see what your answers reveal about your habits.
Mostly As means all’s good!
You already have several good habits in place.
Future savings could come from your equipment. Many efficient solutions could help you save more, such as:
- A low‑flow showerhead
- A faucet aerator
- Solar thermal collectors for hot water
- A drain water heat recovery system
Mostly Bs means you’re heading in the right direction
You already have some good habits but one or two more would help you save more.
Take another look at the questions where you answered B or C. That’s where you’ll discover which changes will make the most difference for you.
There’s no need to revamp your entire routine. Simply focus on the habit you do most often.
Mostly Cs means you have a vast reservoir of potential savings
What this means is that there are many ways you could reduce your electricity bill.
Remember, you don’t need to change everything overnight. Start small, beginning with habits that use a lot of hot water.
