As a renewed threat of snow looms over England in the wake of Storm Goretti, energy giant British Gas has issued urgent guidance to customers, advising them to limit their showers to just four minutes.
The Four-Minute Shower Challenge
British Gas has stated that cutting shower time to four minutes could save households up to £70 a year on energy bills. The advice comes during a persistent cold snap, where heating demands are high. The company also recommends switching to LED lightbulbs, which can use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs.
Further recommendations include using a smart meter to track spending and identify energy-guzzling appliances. The firm highlights that switching electronics off at the wall, rather than leaving them on standby, could save an additional £55 annually.
Expert Advice on Water Efficiency
Stephanie Fox from the NGO Waterwise provided context, explaining that a typical shower uses between eight and twelve litres of water per minute. She suggests considering a water-efficient showerhead, which adds air to the water flow to maintain pressure while using less water.
"We have a Waterwise playlist on Spotify," Fox added, offering a novel timing method. "When the bucket fills up, you see how much water you’re using."
Substantial Savings Across the UK
Rival supplier Octopus Energy echoed the sentiment, asking customers: "Getting out of the shower when it's zero degrees outside is painful, but is it as painful as an expensive heating bill?" They estimate that a four-minute shower could save a typical household around £60 a year.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, the potential savings are significant:
- Upgrading to a water-efficient shower head could save about £25 a year in Great Britain and £25 in Northern Ireland, plus around 9,200 litres of water annually.
- Keeping showers to four minutes could save £45 a year in GB and £45 in NI, conserving a staggering 17,000 litres of water.
- Swapping just one bath a week for a four-minute shower could save £10 a year in GB and £9 in NI, saving an additional 4,000 litres of water.
With winter's grip tightening, these simple behavioural changes and small upgrades present a clear path for UK households to reduce both their environmental impact and their escalating energy costs.
