Cheapest time to have a shower to save money on water and energy bills | The Sun
YOU could cut down on your energy bills just by showering at a certain point in the day.
You could switch to an Economy 7 or 10 tariff which charges you less for washing at night time.
The tariffs charge you dual rates depending on the time of the day.
If you are on an Economy 7 tariff you'll be charged less across 7 hours, and 10 hours if you are on an Economy 10 tariff.
The hours where you are charged the lower rate will vary depending on your provider.
But you generally pay a lower unit rate for electricity used between 10pm and 8am.
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Off-peak hours for Economy 10 customers vary as well so it's worth checking with your supplier what they would be.
But you could end up spending more if you use a lot of energy in the daytime, so keep an eye on your usage if you do decide to switch.
Always remember leaving appliances on at night can create a fire hazard.
That warning doesn't apply to showers but it is something to take note of when it comes to other electronics such as washing machines and tumble dryers.
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However, the Government has extended a discount on energy bills – the energy price guarantee – until June.
It means the average households' yearly bills are still around £2,500 a year, up from £1,971 previously.
Here are a few tricks to help you save money on your water bills.
How much does it cost to have a shower?
Uswitch said taking a 10-minute shower uses 1.42kWh of electricity, costing someone on a standard variable tariff around 48p a go.
If you did this every day it would cost you £175.20 a year.
That's based on an 8.5KW electric shower and a unit rate of 34p.
But if you have an Economy 7 tariff, it will be cheaper in the evenings.
Under the current price cap, it will cost you 37p to use an 8.5 kilowatt shower for 10 minutes at night.
But it will cost you 56p on a day rate and using the same power shower head for 10 minutes.
Ben Gallizzi, an energy expert at Uswitch, said: "People on Economy 7 will likely be paying more to shower during the day than those on standard tariffs with rates capped by the energy price guarantee, but night-time costs are lower.
“However, usually people with Economy 7 tariffs will pay their cheaper rates between midnight and 7am — so if you are an early riser, you may benefit from cheaper rates by taking an early morning shower rather than needing to have one in the middle of the night."
So, if you're someone that works a night shift, it might be worth getting an Economy 7 tariff.
How can I save money on my water bills?
Beyond switching to an Economy 7 or 10 tariff, there are some other ways you can slash your water bills.
Taking a shorter shower could save you over £50 a year.
Leaky loos and dripping taps can waste water without you knowing so fixing any around the house will save you some money.
Plus, making sure your washing machine or dishwasher is fully-loaded before turning it on will make sure you're using them in the most energy-efficient way.
And you could even consider buying a water meter if your usage is low.
Water meters measure the exact amount of water you use, rather than relying on estimates based on rateable values, which is a calculation based on your property and can't be changed.
Most water suppliers provide help for vulnerable households as well.
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You can find out who your water supplier is on the Consumer Council for Water website.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
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