1. When washing up ensure you plug your sink bowl(s) prior to turning on the tap. Thousands of litres of water are wasted per day through not carrying out this simple operation.

2. Ensure you fill a bowl to rinse crockery or vegetables for food preparation rather than rinsing directly under a full flowing tap.

3. Don’t leave the tap running unattended or running fully when not needed for example when lathering your hands prior to washing.

4. Install a flow-limiting valve to your water supply that will restrict the maximum flow of water through the tap and offer a consistent maximum flow rate regardless of the incoming water pressure. Click here for further information.

5. Store a jug or bottle of water for drinking in the fridge meaning you will have a constant source of chilled water rather than having to run the tap for a period of time before cold water flows.

 


6. When installing a new boiler or tap try and maintain the shortest possible pipe runs from your water heater to the tap meaning hot water runs hotter more quickly.

7. If you notice your tap is dripping check joints and seals, if they are worn you will need to replace the o-rings and possibly the valve as well - a dripping tap can waste up to 140 litres of water per week!

8. Attach a jet spray aerator to your tap spout allowing water flow to be switched from spray to jet easily. Using the spray setting saves water and can make certain tasks quicker and easier such as rinsing hands and vegetables during food preparation.

  


9. Install isolation valves to the hot and cold water inlet pipes. If your tap develops a leak you will quickly be able to isolate the leak and reduce the amount of wasted water. You will also still be able to use water around the rest of your home without the inconvenience of turning off water supply to your entire property for the duration of repair.

10. Set the temperature of your boiler so the maximum output temperature is 46°C this is hot enough to kill bacteria & cut through grease. If your water temperature is higher than this you will be wasting energy, risking scalding accidents and potentially damage your tap. If your boiler does not have temperature control, install a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) this will achieve the same results.