Tips for Saving Water: How to Use Less Water and Save Money at Home

Updated Decemebr 2025

Water is something many of us use without thinking — until the bills arrive. With rising living costs and increasing pressure on natural resources, finding simple ways to reduce water use has never been more important. The good news? Saving water doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or convenience.

These Tips for Saving Water focus on easy, everyday changes that help you reduce waste, lower your water bills, and create a more efficient home. Whether you live alone, with family, or in a rental, these practical ideas are easy to implement and make a real difference.

Why Saving Water Matters

Saving water benefits both your household and the environment. Using less water reduces pressure on local water supplies, lowers energy use (especially when heating water), and helps protect ecosystems.

On a personal level, water-saving habits can lead to:

Lower water and energy bills
Less strain on plumbing and appliances
A more efficient, eco-conscious home
Long-term cost savings

Even small changes, when done consistently, can add up quickly.

1. Understand Where Water Is Used Most

One of the most effective Tips for Saving Water is understanding where it’s being used the most in your home.

High Water-Use Areas:

Showers and baths
Toilets
Washing machines and dishwashers
Garden hoses and outdoor taps

Once you know where water goes, you can target the biggest opportunities for savings.

2. Save Water in the Bathroom

Bathrooms are often the biggest source of water use in the home.

Easy Bathroom Water-Saving Tips:

Take shorter showers (even 2 minutes less makes a difference)
Swap baths for showers where possible
Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving

Extra Tip:

Installing a water-efficient showerhead can significantly reduce water use without affecting water pressure.

3. Fix Leaks Promptly

A dripping tap or leaking toilet might seem minor, but it can waste thousands of litres of water each year.

What to Check:

Dripping taps
Running toilets
Leaks under sinks
Outdoor taps and hoses

Fixing leaks is one of the simplest and most effective Tips for Saving Water, and it often saves money immediately.

4. Use Toilets More Efficiently

Toilets use more water than you might realise.

Simple Toilet Tips:

Install a dual-flush toilet if possible
Place a water displacement device in the cistern (like a filled bottle)
Avoid using the toilet as a bin

These small changes can significantly reduce daily water use.

5. Wash Smarter in the Kitchen

The kitchen is another area where water-saving habits make a big impact.

Kitchen Water-Saving Tips:

Only run the dishwasher when it’s full
Use eco cycles on dishwashers
Don’t rinse dishes under running water — scrape instead

If washing up by hand, fill the sink rather than letting the tap run continuously.

6. Laundry Tips That Save Water and Money

Laundry uses a surprising amount of water, but it’s easy to make improvements.

Laundry Water-Saving Tips:

Only wash full loads
Use eco or water-saving cycles
Avoid unnecessary rewashing

Modern washing machines are much more efficient, so upgrading when possible can reduce long-term water use.

7. Reduce Hot Water Use

Hot water costs more because it uses both water and energy.

Easy Ways to Use Less Hot Water:

Wash clothes at lower temperatures
Take shorter showers
Fix dripping hot taps quickly

Using less hot water is one of the most cost-effective Tips for Saving Water.

8. Be Water-Wise Outdoors

Outdoor water use can spike in warmer months.

Garden Water-Saving Tips:

Water plants early morning or evening
Use watering cans instead of hoses
Collect rainwater using water butts

Choose drought-tolerant plants to reduce watering needs altogether.

9. Use Water-Efficient Appliances

If you’re replacing appliances, water efficiency matters.

What to Look For:

Water-efficiency ratings
Eco modes
Right-sized appliances for your household

Efficient appliances may cost more upfront but save money over time through lower water and energy use.

10. Change Daily Habits

Some of the best Tips for Saving Water come down to everyday habits.

Try These:

Turn taps off fully
Use bowls for washing vegetables
Reuse water where safe (e.g. leftover water for plants)

These small actions quickly become second nature.

11. Teach the Whole Household

Water saving works best when everyone gets involved.

Make It Easy:

Share simple rules (short showers, taps off)
Set family goals
Get children involved with water-saving challenges

Team effort leads to bigger, longer-lasting savings.

12. Seasonal Tips for Saving Water

Summer:

Reduce lawn watering
Use shade to prevent evaporation
Wash cars less frequently

Winter:

Fix leaks promptly (pipes can crack in cold weather)
Avoid running taps unnecessarily
Monitor boiler and heating systems

Adjusting habits with the seasons helps maintain efficiency year-round.

13. Save Water on a Budget

You don’t need expensive upgrades to save water.

Budget-Friendly Water-Saving Ideas:

Fit tap aerators
Use bowls instead of running water
Check water meter readings

Many of the most effective Tips for Saving Water cost little or nothing at all.

14. Combine Water Saving With Wellbeing

Using water mindfully can also support wellbeing.

Try This:

Turn showers into calming rituals rather than rushed habits
Create a peaceful bathroom environment
Reduce waste to feel more aligned with sustainable living

Saving water can feel empowering, not restrictive.

Final Thoughts: Small Changes Make a Big Difference

Saving water doesn’t require major sacrifices. With these Tips for Saving Water, you can reduce waste, lower household bills, and make a positive impact on the environment — all through simple, everyday actions.

Start with one or two changes and build from there. Over time, these habits become part of daily life, and the savings — both financial and environmental — really add up.

Your home has the power to use less, waste less, and live more sustainably 💧

Quick Water-Saving Checklist

✔ Turn off taps while brushing teeth or shaving
✔ Take shorter showers and avoid unnecessary baths
✔ Fix dripping taps and running toilets promptly
✔ Only run dishwashers and washing machines when full
✔ Use eco or water-saving settings on appliances
✔ Wash clothes at lower temperatures where possible
✔ Collect rainwater for garden use
✔ Water plants early morning or evening
✔ Use a bowl for washing food instead of running taps
✔ Fit water-saving showerheads or tap aerators

Tips for Saving Water: Cut Water Bills and Use Less at Home