How to Save Money on Water Bills

Navigating bills can be confusing. It can be tricky to understand whether you’re paying too much, too little, or the right amount for bills – especially water bills, which can be location-dependent as well as based on usage.

In this guide, we’re diving into the realm of water bills in the UK, shedding light on the average water bill, how they’re calculated, the steps you can take to be more water-efficient at home and how to reduce your water bill.

How much are water bills?

Water bills across the UK can vary based on a few factors, such as your region, household size, energy usage, provider and water consumption.

According to Water UK, the current average water bill for a UK household in 2024 is £448 per year, which averages at just over £37 per month.

How much you pay for your water bill can also depend on your rate. You'll tend to either be on a fixed rate, where you pay a set amount no matter how much water you use, or on a water meter, where you pay by usage combined with a fixed charge.

How are water bills calculated?

In the UK, there are two separate ways water companies can calculate your domestic bill.

• Fixed-rate, or unmetered, water bills are set depending on variables such as your home's size, rateable value and location. With a fixed-rate water bill, you'll pay the same fee for your water each month, regardless of usage.
• Metered water bills mean you only pay for the units of water you use. You may benefit from a metered bill if you're in a single-person household or don't use much water.

If you're on a fixed-rate water bill, reducing water usage won't affect the cost of your bill. However, if you pay for the units of water you consume, there are steps you can take to reduce your water bill.

Is a dishwasher more efficient?

Generally speaking, modern, energy-efficient dishwashers consume less water than washing each item by hand, especially if you ensure you fully load the dishwasher before each cycle. To guarantee you're getting the maximum efficiency from each dishwasher load, check out our post on How to Load a Dishwasher.

The more energy-efficient your dishwasher, the less water it uses each cycle, offering potential savings on your water bills over time.

Check out our top tips below for more ways to save money on your water bills.

How to reduce water bills

Ensure you're being as water-efficient as possible at home by:

Be mindful of water usage

• Scrape dishes rather than rinsing

Scraping plates rather than rinsing them before the dishwasher is a simple yet effective way to reduce water usage. This ensures you're only using water for cleaning while dishes are in the dishwasher, rather than doubling up your usage rinsing from the tap.

• Thaw frozen food overnight in the fridge

 Rather than using running water to thaw frozen food, remove items from the freezer the night before they're needed and allow them to thaw naturally in the fridge.

• Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads

Before setting off your dishwasher or washing machine, consider whether the load is optimised. If you're running a half-full dishwasher or only washing a few items of clothing in the washing machine, you'll naturally be using twice as much water. To ensure optimal water usage, avoid setting off a wash until the appliance is full.

• Turn off taps when not in use

Needlessly running taps is one of the ways water bills can increase over time – and it's one of the simplest habits to break! When you're washing up or brushing your teeth, try to ensure you're only running the tap when you need it.

• Take shorter showers

Encourage everyone in your household to take slightly shorter showers to conserve water usage. If you use conditioner or hair masks with a longer wait time, it may be worth stopping the shower until you're ready to rinse.

• Reuse cooking water

Clean water used for boiling pasta or cooking eggs can contain valuable nutrients that benefit plants, which is a great way to reuse water and reduce usage.

Upgrade your washing machine and dishwasher

Upgrading appliances like your washing machine and dishwasher to water-efficient models can benefit not only your water usage, but the environment, too!

Many modern washing machines and dishwashers are designed with advanced technology to use significantly less water each cycle than older models. High-efficiency dishwashers and washing machines are equipped with sensors that adapt water usage based on load size, so you can trust you’re only using the water you need.

At Hoover, we have washing machines with Auto Care mode. This advanced algorithm automatically adjusts the optimum levels of detergent, water and time for each wash load, giving optimum results and helping minimise waste.

Our dishwashers, too, can be connected to the hOn app, which automatically recognises the amount, type, material, and position of your dishes and advises you on optimising the load.

In addition to water savings, newer washing machines and dishwashers are usually more energy-efficient, so they can save you money on your electricity bills, too. So, if you’re looking for a cost-effective option for the long term, you should consider an upgrade.

Check for leaks

One of the biggest wastes of water comes from leaks in taps and pipes. If your water bill has increased, you're monitoring your water usage, and you're unsure where the additional usage is coming from, you may have a leak. You should regularly check taps, pipes and toilets for leaks and ensure they're repaired promptly to avoid unnecessary bills.

If you’re looking to cut down on your water bills, why not upgrade your appliances to more efficient options? At Hoover, we have a range of dishwashers, washing machines and washer-dryers to explore, many of which come with additional efficiency features to ensure you’re getting the most out of each load.

Explore the full washing range at Hoover to take the first steps towards more efficient water usage.