CONSUMER COUNCIL FOR
WATER News Release (CCWater24/08) issued by COI News Distribution
Service. 20 October 2008
In support of
Energy Saving Trust's Energy Saving Week (20 to 26 October)
the Consumer Council for Water is encouraging consumers to take a
look at where they may be wasting water, energy, and therefore
money around the home.
Around three quarters of a household's energy use relates to
heating and hot water use, for example, in baths or showers or for
washing clothes or dishes.
By cutting water wastage through the following easy steps,
families should see a reduction in their energy bill, and those
who are charged for their water by meter should see a reduction in
their water bill as well.
* Replace worn washers on leaky taps. A dripping hot water tap
wastes energy and in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half
a bath.
* Take a five minute shower instead of a bath, or go one step
further and install a water saving shower head, which can cut the
amount of water used by about 30 per cent.
* When putting the kettle on to boil, only fill it with as much
water as necessary. Two-thirds of us waste energy by boiling more
water than we need.
* Make sure that the dishwasher or washing machine is completely
full before turning it on, and avoid using the half load setting.
Half-load cycles use much more than half the energy and water of a
full load.
* Washing machines use huge amounts of energy, 90 per cent of
which is through heating water, by reducing the temperature from
40 to 30 degrees, energy consumption will be reduced by 40 per cent.
* The hot water cylinder thermostat should be set at 60C or 140F.
Any higher is a waste of energy and could lead to scalding; any
lower and there may a risk of legionella.
* Insulate the boiler to avoid wasting energy to keep it hot.
Fitting a jacket to the boiler that is at least 75mm thick could
save around £30 each year.
Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of the Consumer Council for Water, said:
"At a time when so many household bills are rising, people
may be looking for ways to make every penny count. Taking five
minutes to consider these water and energy saving tips could pay
off in the long run, and have the added benefit of helping to
reduce your carbon footprint."
A full list of water saving tips is available at http://www.ccwater.org.uk.
Ends
Notes for editors
1. Information on energy saving tips from the Energy Saving
Trust: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/what_can_i_do_today/getting_started;
Big Green Switch http://www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/energy_saving;
DirectGov: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Energyandwatersaving/Energyandwaterefficiencyinyourhome/DG_064370;
Simply Switch http://www.simplyswitch.com/energy/switchingguide/energyefficiency.aspx;
and Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology; http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/postpn249.pdf
2. Heating & hot water makes up 77% of home energy use. http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/postpn249.pdf
The Consumer Council for Water
1. The Consumer Council for Water represents consumers in England
and Wales.
2. The Consumer Council for Water is the statutory water consumer
body, and operates as a non-departmental public body reporting to
the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the
Welsh Assembly Government. It has a committee for Wales, and four
regional committees in England.
3. Our website is http://www.ccwater.org.uk.
Public enquiries to the Consumer Council for Water's
national number, 0845 039 2837, or email enquiries@ccwater.org.uk.
The Consumer Council for Water
Victoria Square House,
Victoria Square, Birmingham B2 4AJ