Every household is full of water guzzlers like the shower, toilet, hot water system, pool and garden. And when you throw them all together, energy and water bills can get quite high.
In reality, that’s unavoidable. Flushing the toilet or showering before work is a necessity. You can’t skip it. But there are some ways to save water.
The key is to be aware of what the big users are and where you – and perhaps your family – sits in the grand scheme. For example, some homes have no garden to water, while a young couple uses far less water than a family of 5.
In terms of averages, reports claim an average Australian uses 190 litres of water per day. In some cities that varies, as Sydneysiders reportedly use about 210 litres a day, and Melbournians just 161L. Adelaide sits in the middle, right at the 190L mark.
When it comes to saving water, one of the easiest steps is understanding water efficiency ratings. That way you can make informed decisions from the start.
Water Efficiency Star Ratings
The total amount of water used at home depends on how many people live there, how many appliances are in use, etc. A pool and large garden will also drastically impact the specifics.
Meanwhile, the WELS water efficiency star rating on appliances like washing machines, toilets and dishwashers also has a key influence.
The WELS rating is a clear indication of how much water is used for a load of washing or for 1 toilet flush.
According to energy.gov.au, water efficient products can save a household up to 35 per cent on past energy and water expenses. And with that in mind, we’ll start at the biggest water user in the whole home: the bathroom.
Between the showers, toilet trips and morning shaves, roughly 40 per cent of water use occurs in the bathroom. That’s where the drastic savings can occur.
How Much Water Does a Shower Use?
Older showerheads typically use between 18-20 litres a minute. Over the course of a 10 minute shower that could mean you’re using 200 litres!
Now, one of the key recommendations is taking shorter showers. That’s always a fast way to save. Another is purchasing a low flow showerhead. A 3-star rated showerhead equals about 9 litres per minute, while 4 stars is just 5-6 litres!
You could stand under a steaming shower for 10 minutes and use just 60 litres. Plus, just because the term low flow is used, you are not losing out on pressure intensity or shower satisfaction.
Depending on your water rates and the size of your family, you could save around $200 or $300 a year on water bills alone.
Additionally, the low flow savings make the shower a great alternative to baths.
The bathtub is a tricky place to save water. Bathtubs can require anywhere from 50 litres to 150 litres to fill. And you can’t skimp on the water level, otherwise, it’s not a fun experience.
Therefore, the best practice is to save a bubble bath for special occasions or keep the levels low for the kids.
How Much Water Do Toilets Use?
Standard dual flush toilets are incredible water savers compared to their ancestors of decades gone by.
A WELS 4-star rated toilet typically uses just 4.5L on a full flush, and 3L on a half flush. In contrast, less efficient toilets are still hanging around and wasting 12L in a flush.
The difference over 1 year could be as much as 50,000 litres.
Not sure how much your home could save? Expect each person to flush 4 times a day and over 365 days that would be 17,520L for 1 person. With a 4.5L full flush that number drops right down to 6,570L. Just consider the difference there for a family of 4, for example. That’s big.
Is it Better to Hand Wash or Use a Dishwasher?
The age old debate between handwashing and the dishwasher really isn’t a fair one. Using a dishwasher is far more efficient thanks to larger load capacities and the startling truth that less water is used.
Depending on the size of your sink, you may need 15 litres to fill it up, or 30L.
Meanwhile, a WELS 4-star rated dishwasher only needs 11.5L for a complete load. Even if that’s daily, less water is required than most sinks.
However, pay attention to the efficiency rating. Not all dishwashers are as efficient! Hence why it may be the perfect time to upgrade an old unit.
What Washing Machine Uses Less Water?
If you have a front loader, the good news is you’re already saving! On average, front loader washing machines use 1/3 as much water as a same size top loader.
And more so than many other appliances, star ratings make a massive difference here. For example:
- A WELS 4-star rated 8kg front loader uses between 75-85 litres per load
- A WELS 3-star rated 8kg top loader uses 100+ litres per load
By opting for a front loader at a higher star rating, you can save almost 30 litres of water every wash, with minimal effort.
You can also save more water by using garden friendly detergents and allowing the rinse water to flow directly to the garden, or through a greywater system.
Does the Garden Need a Lot of Water?
Gardens are a tricky area to balance out water usage. You do not want to put the health of your plants at risk just to save some water.
Therefore, it’s important to maintain outdoor taps and irrigation systems to prevent any unnecessary waste. As a result, you can feel good about leaving the sprinkler on in summer.
Speaking of sprinklers, there are no WELS ratings here. But you can monitor flow rate per minute. At the lower end, it could be 3L a minute, or 11 litres. Over the course of 1 hour a day that might be 120L or 660L.
If you’re ever in doubt, consult a local expert at a nursery, as they can give you perfect tips on how much water is required. You can avoid the wastage of a high flow rate which just sprays water everywhere and stick to a more targeted and efficient watering schedule.
Finally, pay attention to the times you water. Before 9am and after 6pm is best as there is less evaporation, so the moisture remains for longer and your plants will thrive.