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Innovative water-saving ideas to help the planet & lower your living costs

September 8, 2023
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Water is one of our most precious resources. Without it, we would only survive for about three days. According to WaterAid, one in ten people worldwide don’t have access to clean water; a staggering 771 million people are living without it close to home. In the UK, we’re fortunate to have this precious resource on tap. But we shouldn’t take it for granted.

Climate change, and the weather extremes it produces, means that water supply is becoming more unpredictable every year. Even parts of the UK are experiencing issues with water stress; this is when demand exceeds the amount available during a certain period or when poor quality restricts its use. Importantly, water is also linked to energy. So, a water-saving strategy won’t just help the environment and reduce your carbon footprint – it could save you money, too.

Did you know The Energy Saving Trust estimates around 12% of a typical gas-heated household’s energy bill is from heating water? This tends to be for showers, baths and general hot water from your tap. However, even small changes can make a big difference. Keen to learn more? Assistant product manager Ashley has put together a list of appliances that can help you be more water-wise and live more sustainably. Unsurprisingly, your kitchen is the best place to start.

Let’s go eco

Do you know how much water you use every day? Most of us seriously underestimate the correct amount. The average UK household uses around 330 litres per day (that’s 140 litres per person). But there are lots of easy, effective water-saving ways to reduce that number.

First and foremost, I recommend our new Eco Aerators. You can add these clever gadgets to most of the taps in our portfolio. They are designed to reduce water consumption by limiting the minimum water flow to a rate of less than 4ltr/min.

Steaming hot water success

If you drink a lot of tea and/or coffee, it’s likely that your kettle could be using large amounts of water and electricity. Do you overfill or reboil this mini appliance out of habit? Crucially, kettles waste water whenever we do these things or pour leftover water down the sink. A steaming hot water tap, such as our FOSSO4IN1 model, is a far better water-saving option. Water is held within a roomy 3.5 litre insulated tank.

Importantly, a steaming hot water tap dispenses only the exact amount you need, every time you use it. So, this will apply to anything from making hot drinks to filling a pan for cooking rice and pasta

For versatility, our FOSSO4IN1 collection is hard to beat. Available in five colourways, it dispenses regular hot and cold, filtered cold and filtered 98°C steaming water. Its built-in filtration system reduces impurities, chlorine and limescale to improve taste and help protect your boiler. This model was even awarded a highly commended accolade in the prestigious 2023 Ideal Home Kitchen Awards.

Tap into approval

Leaking and/or low-quality taps can easily sabotage your home’s water-saving strategy. So, whatever type you buy, why not consider a WRAS-approved model? This abbreviation stands for Water Regulations Advisory Scheme – an independent UK certification body for plumbing products and materials.

Approval demonstrates that an appliance, fitting or material is of a suitable quality and standard. However, it should also not cause waste, misuse, undue consumption or contamination of supply.

We offer an extensive selection of WRAS-approved taps, such as our LAM/BC Lamar Dual Lever Blackened Copper Tap, all of which are extensively tested and fully comply with the requirements of the UK’s water regulations and bylaws. Our Lamar model combines both function and form. Black is back in kitchen decor, so this model isn’t just a great water-saving option. In aesthetic terms, it’s a strong statement shade that works well as an accent or principal tone, too.

Water-saving dishwashers

Many people mistakenly think that dishwashers aren’t a great water-saving option. In fact, they are usually more energy-efficient than hand washing. According to the WWF, switching from washing by hand to dishwashing could save you 6,000 litres of water a year – and not pre-rinsing your dishes before they go into your machine can salvage another 1,000 litres every year.

We have designed our DI482 45cm Fully Integrated Dishwasher for homeowners who want to reduce water and electricity usage. Perfect for compact spaces, this slimline model features a special Eco programme. It reduces electricity consumption by 28% and uses just nine litres of water every cycle. This D energy-rated appliance even incorporates a new anti-bacterial filter system to provide perfectly clean water for every washing programme. For extra peace of mind, this dishwasher has won a Which? Best Buy award for brilliant cleaning and excellent drying.

Another recommended water-saving dishwasher is our DI653 60cm Fully Integrated Dishwasher. This versatile model offers eight programmes; these include a 35°C Party mode that’s ideal for lightly soiled loads, such as glasses and fine china. Other water-saving options include the Alternative wash function. This allows you to choose one spray arm (not two) for the washing process and therefore uses less water. The Energy save function also reduces washing time and temperature, while the Eco wash programme uses just 9.8 litres of water per cycle. This dishwasher also incorporates a reassuring Aquastop feature; this automatically cuts off the water at the first sign of a leak.

Water-saving washing machines

‘Wet appliances’, such as washing machines, have a reputation for using lots of energy. But it’s hard to imagine modern life without them. The solution? Choose water-saving models, such as our WMI4001 9kg Fully Integrated Washing Machine. This appliance offers a variety of innovative settings, including Rapid for washes as short as 14 minutes.

It also incorporates a low-load option and an economical 20°C setting. This allows you to wash different fabrics and colours together (instead of in separate loads, thereby saving water). However, you’ll find no compromise on cleaning performance and water consumption is only 40% when compared with a conventional 40°C wash.

Click here to learn more about how to combine your water saving strategy with Zero Waste Week