Water saving ideas

There are many ways you can save water and reduce the size of your bills in your business and home business.

Heating water uses the most electricity in a household and can also be a significant cost to businesses. Recent studies show that nearly a third of the average households energy use goes on heating water.

Commercial and small business water saving suggestions

• Have your boiler and heating system regularly serviced.
• Set the thermostat so it's not too hot, the recommended setting is 60°C/140°F
• Ensure there is suitable insulation around the boiler and along the pipe work to keep the heat in.
• Where appropriate install an "On-demand" boiler.  These heat the water when it's required.  These are suitable for both offices and homes.
• Choose the right size system according to the premises.
• Fit flow controllers, regulators and aerators to taps to limit the supply flow.
• Fit flow sensors to taps so they only run when objects / hands are placed under the sensor.
• Toilets can use up to 12 liters of water per flush, fitting dual flush cisterns or restricting the amount of water in the cistern will help.
• Where possible fit urinals as opposed this uses much less water.
• Maintenance check for leaking water pipes and dripping taps (a leaking tap can waste more that 2,000 liters of water each month.
• Check your water meter regularly and compare usage to other companies in your industry.
• Ask employees for their ideas on how best to save water in the business.  Run incentives and publicise internally about the need to save water.  This will raise awareness throughout the company of the need to save water.

Water saving measures for home businesses

• Where appropriate install an "On-demand" boiler. These heat the water when it's required. These are suitable for both offices and homes.
• Have your boiler and heating system regularly serviced.
• Set the thermostat so it's not too hot, the recommended setting is 60°C/140°F
• Ensure there is suitable insulation around the boiler and along the pipe work to keep the heat in.
• Install a water butt for the garden.
• Use greywater solutions.