How to Save Water at Home: Practical Tips

Making your home more sustainable doesn’t have to mean a major overhaul. Saving water is one of the simplest places to start, and it comes with a tangible bonus: lower bills. Here are the most practical ways to use less water at home without making life harder.

Why save water?

Using less water reduces your bills, lowers the energy needed to heat it, and takes pressure off local water supplies during dry periods. In the UK, droughts and water shortages are becoming more frequent, making household conservation increasingly relevant. The good news is that most water-saving changes are cheap, quick, and require very little effort once they’re in place.

Practical tips to save water

You don’t need a radical lifestyle change to start saving water. Let’s look at some approachable steps:

Fix those leaks

A dripping tap can waste up to 5,500 litres of water a year. A leaking toilet can waste even more, often going unnoticed because the water runs silently into the bowl. Both are worth fixing promptly.

Checking for leaks is straightforward. Look for dripping taps, listen for running toilets after flushing, and keep an eye on your water meter when nothing is being used. Many water companies offer free leak detection kits or home water checks, so it’s worth checking what’s available in your area.

If a burst or leaking pipe causes water damage to your home, our guide on does home insurance cover water leaks explains when you’re covered and what to do. And if you ever need to shut off your water supply quickly, knowing where your stopcock is is essential.

Update your appliances

Modern dishwashers, washing machines, and toilet cisterns use significantly less water than older models. When it’s time to replace an appliance, look for a high water efficiency rating. Running full loads rather than half loads also makes a meaningful difference.

For example:

An older washing machine might use 80 to 100 litres per cycle. A modern A-rated model can do the same job in 40 to 50 litres. Over a year of weekly washes, that’s a significant saving on both water and energy bills.

Install a water butt

A water butt collects rainwater from your roof via the drainpipe and stores it for use in the garden. It’s one of the most cost-effective water-saving investments available, with basic models costing as little as £20 to £30.

Rainwater is naturally soft and free from the chlorine used in treated tap water, which many plants actually prefer. It’s ideal for watering the garden, washing the car, or cleaning outdoor areas. Some water companies offer subsidised water butts, so check before buying at full price.

Streamline your showers

A standard shower uses around eight to ten litres of water per minute (Energy Saving Trust). Cutting just one minute off your daily shower saves roughly 3,000 litres a year per person. A water-saving showerhead can reduce flow without noticeably affecting pressure, delivering similar savings without any change in routine.

Baths use considerably more water than showers, typically around 80 litres compared to 30 to 40 litres for a seven-minute shower. Switching even some baths to showers adds up over time.

Consider greywater systems

Greywater systems collect and treat water from sinks, showers, and baths for reuse in toilets or for garden irrigation. It’s a more significant investment than other options on this list, with installation typically costing £1,000 to £4,000 depending on the system and property size.

For larger households or high water users, the long-term savings can justify the cost. Some local councils and water companies offer grants or interest-free loans for water-saving home improvements, so it’s worth checking what’s available in your area before dismissing it as too expensive.

Balancing cost and impact

Most water-saving changes cost very little upfront. Fixing a dripping tap, fitting a water butt, and adjusting shower habits are all essentially free once you’ve made them. The bigger investments, like efficient appliances or a greywater system, take longer to pay back but deliver ongoing savings and environmental benefits.

A useful way to think about it: start with the free or low-cost changes first, then work up to the bigger ones when the timing is right, such as when an appliance needs replacing anyway.

Before we go

Saving water at home is one of the most accessible ways to reduce your environmental impact and your bills at the same time. Start with fixing any leaks, make simple swaps like a water-saving showerhead, and build from there.

And while you’re thinking about your home, it’s worth making sure everything in it is properly protected too. Lemonade’s home insurance covers sudden and unexpected water damage, so you’re not left out of pocket if something goes wrong.

Saving water FAQs