The expert tip could help households to save money on their energy bills ahead of the winter months
The four-minute rule could be worth trying (Image: Getty)
With more cold weather on the way, many households are anticipating a rise in their bills as energy consumption increases. As costs rise, families may be seeking energy-saving tips to minimise the impact on their finances.
Fortunately, there’s a wealth of tips and tricks that could make a difference. One simple method for people looking to spend less could be taking shorter showers. The British Gas Energy Trust has a webpage dedicated to energy-saving tips, outlining the exact number of minutes people could aim for to reduce costs.
The tip states: “Showering for four minutes can help save money on both your energy bill and your water bill if your property has a water meter.” On the webpage, British Gas Energy Trust shared an additional 19 tips which could benefit households.
Other tips included turning off lights when you’re not in a room and draught-proofing your home. More suggest switching off electronics rather than leaving them on standby, and limiting the use of tumble dryers.
The advice explains: “Turn off lights in rooms you are not in. Switch off items such as TVs, computers, and microwaves at the wall as they can continue to use energy in standby mode. Avoid charging laptops and phones overnight, as they may use more energy than they need.”
Taking shorter showers could help save money on your energy bill (stock photo)(Image: Getty)
Cumulatively, the tips could help households lower their energy costs. While shaving a few minutes off your shower time might not feel productive, it could make a noticeable difference when it comes to paying bills.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, adopting the habit regularly could save £45 each year. The advice explains: “Shortening the time that you spend in the shower will reduce the volume of water that goes down the drain, as well as saving you money on the energy used to heat the water.
“Keeping your shower time to just four minutes could save you £45 a year in GB and £45 in NI. You’ll also save 17,000 litres of water a year.”
Many households are looking to lower their bills (stock photo)(Image: Getty)
If you prefer using the bath over the shower, switching up your routine could also pay off. Energy Saving Trust explains: “Some of us might enjoy a long soak in the bath, but swapping just one bath a week with a four-minute shower could save you £10 a year in GB and £9 in NI. You’ll also save 4,000 litres of water a year.”
People may like to use a timer or a timed playlist while showering to keep track of their water usage. It’s also advised to turn off the water while lathering up.
Elsewhere in the bathroom, opting for LED lights could be beneficial. Energy Saving Trust states: “If your bathroom light needs changing, replace it with an LED bulb. Across an average house, replacing old light bulbs with energy efficient LEDs could save £45 a year in GB and £55 in NI.”