Saving Water at Home | LEAP's Whole House Guide

Water saving is energy saving too. Every time you use less hot water, you reduce the energy needed to heat it.

The biggest wins are often the everyday ones: full laundry loads, bowl washing, shorter showers, fixing drips and watering gardens wisely.

LEAP’s free energy advice service can help you understand which changes will make the biggest difference in your home.

Saving water can feel difficult because water has a habit of disappearing quietly.. A running tap, a half-empty washing machine, a long shower, a thirsty lawn or a slow drip outside can all add up. The good news is that saving water doesn’t have to mean big changes to your routine.

This quick LEAP guide brings together simple habits for the kitchen, garden, laundry and beyond. 

Saving water in the kitchen

The kitchen is one of the easiest places to save water because so many small jobs involve a tap. Waterwise says kitchens account for about 22% of household water use, so everyday swaps can make a useful difference. 

Use a washing-up bowl instead of leaving the tap running. If you have a dishwasher, wait until it’s full and use the Eco setting where possible. Scrape plates rather than pre-rinsing them, as modern detergents are designed to work without an extra rinse.

When cooking, only boil the water you need. Put lids on pans so food cooks faster and less heat escapes. Steaming vegetables can use less water than boiling. If you rinse fruit and vegetables, do it in a bowl and tip the leftover water on to plants.

Washing machines use both water and energy, especially on warmer cycles. The simplest rule is to wait for a full load, as long as you do not overload the machine. Fewer half-loads means fewer washes overall.

Try cooler washes at 20°C or 30°C for everyday clothes. Modern detergents often work well at lower temperatures, and cooler washing cuts the energy used to heat the water. Keep hotter washes for items that need a deeper clean.

If your machine has an Eco programme, it may take longer but usually uses less water and energy. Air drying clothes, when you can, also avoids the cost of tumble drying.

Saving water in the garden

Gardens can use a lot of water in dry weather, but plants do not always need as much as we think. Water in the early morning or evening, when less is lost to evaporation. Aim water at the roots rather than the leaves.

A watering can is usually better than a hose for pots, borders and smaller gardens, because you can see where the water is going. If you use a hose, fit a trigger nozzle so water only flows when you need it.

Adding mulch, such as compost, bark or woodchip, helps soil hold moisture for longer. You can also group plants with similar watering needs together and choose drought-tolerant varieties for sunny spots.

A water butt collects rainwater from your roof, giving you a free source of water for the garden when dry spells arrive.

Saving water in the house

Leaks are easy to miss but expensive to ignore. Waterwise notes that a leaking toilet can waste up to 400 litres of water a day, and that an outdoor tap dripping once a second can lose over 12,000 litres a year. If you hear running water, spot damp patches, or notice your water meter moving when nothing is on, investigate quickly.

In the bathroom, keep showers short and turn the tap off while brushing your teeth or shaving. If you can fit one, a water-efficient shower head can reduce the amount of hot water you use without making showers feel uncomfortable.

Every household is different, so saving water will look different from home to home. Your best savings will depend on how many people live at home, whether you have a water meter, how your hot water is heated and which appliances you use most.

LEAP’s free energy advice service supports people who are at risk of, or falling into fuel poverty. LEAP advisors provide guidance that is specific to your energy efficiency needs, starting with a relaxed energy advice call and, where appropriate, further support. 

Apply for a LEAP energy advice call to get personalised help with water, heating and energy-saving habits that fit your home.