The Great Use Less Water Hunt

wdft

Don't run the hot tapto waste until it is hot enough and then add cold water. Put the plug in the sink or basin and run just the hot tap until the temperature is OK. If basin is too full before a satisfactory temperature is reached, let some water go and then top up. It still saves water even if you have to let a little run to waste.

Bill Taylor.
MIPHE. RP

FlowerBob

lurchajn wrote:

Sorry if someone has already posted this but it didn't show up in a search.

If you use a condensing tumble dryer, some of them are ventless and collect the condensed water in removable reservoir so you can just pour it straight in your watering can.

Water from the tumble dryer is especially good to put into a steam iron if you use fabric conditioner because it's very soft and smells nice. We hardly ever use the tumble dryer (no kids, so should be able to time wash days with good weather) but when we do I always save the water in a jug to put into the iron.

make_life_easier

mgw99 wrote:

Hi

I've started using one from Donnachadh McCarthy's book:

Have a jug / watering can near the sink so that when you are running the tap waiting for hot water you can fill up the can rather than letting the water run down the plug hole. Then you can use it to water the plants in your garden or on the windowsill.

I always have empty milk bottle to fill when Im running the tap for hot water, I use it to water my house plants and the rest goes in the watering can for the garden. My family think I am nuts but I don't care - recycling is now built into me (and I don't even have a water meter).;)

123xyz

veruccasalt wrote:

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Pardon? Perhaps it me but .....

IanMcL

I recently went onto a meter and immediately realised that to wash up with hot water, I had to run the tap for some time before the temperature changed from cold to hot. SOLUTION: When I boil a kettle (just enough) for a cup of tea or two, I add another mug full and boil at the same time. I then put the wasking up liquid into a mug awaiting washing and pour the water into it. I then transfer some to each of the dishes cups etc and as I wash a mug, tip the residue into the next and rinse with the cold water coming from the hot tap. By the time I have finished, the dishes have been washed in very hot water, the bubbles have been better and the tap water is now running hot.

Bit slow but effective!

Tightfisted_2

Taking NotSoNewbie Moneysaver's tip one step further ......

When waiting for the water to "run hot" in order to have a shower collect the water in eg a bucket then put this water in the cistern after flushing the loo.

FemmeAuFoyer

I have 3 DS aged 2 1/2 to 5 1/2. They don't slush the loo at home when it's just a wee and wherever possible encourage them wee out in the street rather than waiting till we get home

harryhound

point3 wrote: »

An average bath uses 80 litres of water. At an average of 0.14 pence per litre for supply and removal, this costs 11.2 pence for the water used.

A 5-minute shower uses about 30 litres of water based on an average flow rate of 6 litres per minute. This costs 4.2 pence.

Backpackers and travellers might want to try a baby wipe instead at about 2 pence each

Is this a cold bath/shower - what is the cost of heating the water ?

gromituk

Do the maths: it takes 4200 joules of energy per kg of water (the same as 1 litre) to raise it by 1 degrees C.

So, multiply water used in litres by its temperature above the incoming cold main (in degrees C) by 4200 to get the total amount of energy used, in joules (it's not important that it's a mixture of hot water at a higher temperature, and cold water). A kWh is 1000 x 3600 = 3.6 million joules, so divide the energy used in joules by 3.6 million to get the number of units used. Multiply this figure by perhaps 4/3 if you are using gas (due to boiler inefficiencies). Multiply by the cost per unit of your chosen fuel to give you your answer. Probably around about 10p for a shower.

Cardew

gromituk's method is for showers fed from a hot water tank. IMO 10p is too high an estimate..

For electric showers a very rough guide is about 80pence an hour. So a 5 min shower would be approx 7p.