For many households, the shower is one of the most-used fixtures in the home. But did you know it could also be one of the biggest contributors to your water and energy bills? With UK utilities on the rise, small inefficiencies in your shower setup could be costing you £100s each year.
Here’s how to find out if your shower is driving up your bills — and what you can do about it.
1. Power Showers vs Electric Showers
Not all showers are equal when it comes to water and energy use.
-
Power showers (connected to both hot and cold water supplies) can use up to 15–18 litres per minute.
-
Electric showers heat water on demand and typically use 7–10 litres per minute.
-
Over a year, that difference can add up to thousands of litres of water.
💡 Tip: If you’re aiming to save, an electric or eco shower is more efficient.
2. Shower Length Matters More Than You Think
The average UK shower lasts 8 minutes.
-
At 12 litres per minute, that’s 96 litres of water per shower.
-
A family of four could use nearly 140,000 litres per year just on showers.
-
Cutting just 2 minutes off saves around 35 litres per shower.
👉 A shorter shower = instant savings on both water and heating costs.
3. Leaks and Drips Add Up
A dripping showerhead might seem minor, but:
-
A slow drip wastes up to 5,000 litres of water per year.
-
If it’s hot water, you’re also paying extra on energy bills.
-
Handymen and plumbers can usually fix leaks quickly and cheaply.
4. Old Showerheads Waste Water
-
Older showerheads may release 15+ litres per minute.
-
Modern eco showerheads use as little as 6–8 litres per minute without reducing water pressure.
-
Replacing your showerhead can save up to £70 a year on bills (Waterwise, UK).
5. Hidden Energy Costs of Heating Water
Heating water accounts for around 18% of a typical UK household’s energy use (Energy Saving Trust).
-
Inefficient showers = higher heating demand.
-
Smart thermostats + efficient showerheads can significantly cut costs.
-
Over time, small changes reduce both gas/electric bills and carbon footprint.
6. Simple Ways to Cut Shower Costs
-
Switch to a low-flow showerhead.
-
Take shorter showers (set a timer).
-
Fix leaks quickly with a handyman or plumber.
-
Use a smart thermostat to monitor water heating efficiency.
-
Book regular maintenance to check for hidden plumbing issues.
How Sort a Home Can Help
At Sort a Home, we connect you with trusted professionals who can:
-
Install eco showerheads and modern fittings.
-
Fix leaks and dripping taps.
-
Service heating systems for maximum efficiency.
-
Set up smart thermostats to monitor energy use.
👉 Book Sort a Home Plumbing Services today to start saving on your water and energy bills.
Customer Experiences Across the UK
-
“We swapped our old showerhead for an eco model through Sort a Home in Manchester — our bills dropped within months.” – Sophie
-
“In London, a plumber fixed a dripping shower that was wasting water. Quick and affordable.” – Oliver
-
“Our Birmingham handyman installed a smart thermostat and efficient showerhead. Huge difference in savings.” – Aisha
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Your Shower Drain Your Wallet
Your shower should be relaxing, not expensive. By upgrading fittings, shortening shower times, and fixing leaks, you can cut bills without losing comfort. Small changes in your bathroom can make a big difference to your wallet — and the planet.
Book a Plumbing Check Today
👉 Visit Sort a Home Plumbing Services to fix leaks, install eco-showerheads, and reduce your water bills.