UK residents lose nearly a billion pounds yearly due to excessive shower habits
UK residents lose nearly a billion pounds yearly due to excessive shower habits
A study of 2,000 adults found they spend an average of 11 minutes under the water each day, sometimes for the sole reason of enjoying time to themselves
Brits waste £915m a year by running showers before getting in.
(Image: Getty )
A poll involving 2,000 adults showed that people spend an average of 11 minutes in the shower daily, often just to snatch a moment's peace.
Utilising an 11-minute mixer shower results in approximately 132 litres of water and 5.8 kWh of energy usage, experts assert.
If you opt for an electric shower of the same time span, it consumes about 54 litres of water and requires 1.9 kWh of energy.
The study additionally highlighted that 43% of respondents indulge in extended showers not out of necessity but simply to prolong their alone time.
Despite this, while 28% often ponder over water wastage during their showers, a concerning 21% confess to never thinking about it.
Moreover, the research identified that shortening showers is the most popular approach adopted by 44% to cut down on water use.
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Other strategies employed include skipping daily showers (27%), switching off the water when engaged in other activities like brushing teeth (27%), and promptly repairing any drips or leaks (19%).
Daniel Lintell, sustainability manager at Triton Showers, which initiated the survey and created an online calculator offering customised advice on water and power saving for homes, commented: "It can be easy to take a shower for longer than you actually need to, and many actually cherish this moment of peace when they can be by themselves during a busy day.
"The feeling of getting clean after a long day can't be beaten – but it's important to think about the impact you're having when you're in the shower.
"Finding alternative approaches to getting those few minutes of peace could be a valuable way to make sure you're doing your bit for the planet, your pocket, and yourself.
"If reducing your time spent in the shower isn't feasible – or you simply enjoy spending time there – then consider water-conserving tactics like fitting a flow regulator to a mixer shower, turning down the water flow when lathering, or using an electric shower."
The study also discovered that 25% listen to music while they shower, whilst 10 per cent prefer the backdrop of a podcast.
Whilst 11% confessed to enjoying the peace and quiet away from their bustling household, and 16% utilise their time in the shower to ponder over something.
The average person showers five times a week – with 12% even claiming they shower more than once a day in a typical week.
However, they run the shower for just under a minute and a half before stepping in – which accumulates to an average of seven minutes a week of wasted water. Half (51%) also claimed to wash their hair a few times a week, with 21% doing so daily.
Yet, a forgetful 17% even admitted to not always remembering to turn the shower off after they use it, according to data from OnePoll.com.
Despite this, 81% consider themselves environmentally aware, with 97% engaging in other eco-friendly activities – such as recycling (72%), bringing their own bags to the shop (66%), and using energy-saving bulbs (55%). Additionally, 61% recognise that wasting water has a detrimental effect on the environment.
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However, a third have only a vague idea – or less – about how much money they're literally pouring away with each shower. Yet, 48% said saving money is the primary incentive that would encourage them to take shorter showers.
A spokesperson for Triton Showers commented: "As well as the environmental impact of water waste, I'd encourage shower users to think about the money they could be saving.
"The average shower currently costs the billpayer around 6p a minute – it all adds up over time, and by taking shorter showers and not leaving it running before or after you wash, you could be turning those pennies into precious pounds."
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