Does Saving Water Save Energy?
5th November 2024
By reducing the amount of hot water you use in and around your home, you could reduce your energy bill. It’s great for the environment, too.
Water is a precious resource here in Australia, and we can all do our bit to reduce everyday consumption and help protect our part of the planet. Beyond the environmental benefits, there are compelling financial reasons to use less water at home – you could save money on both your water and energy bills.
The energy impact of water use
Consider the journey of water from the local reservoir to your home – energy is involved at every step, no doubt. Whether it’s treating the water to ensure it’s safe to drink or pumping it to your home, the nation’s water corporations use significant energy to provide you with a safe and reliable supply of H2O. Once it reaches your home, the energy required to heat water can become a significant expense.
The amount of energy used to heat water depends on the type of hot water system you have and your hot water usage habits. For example, traditional electric water heaters can be particularly energy-intensive, whereas solar or heat pump systems are more efficient. By being mindful of your hot water use, you can save both water and energy, reducing your utility bills and environmental impact.
By using less water at home, you can help reduce the overall demand on these energy-intensive processes. Every drop counts in the effort to be more environmentally conscious. And if you collect your own water in a rain tank, you’re already making a great contribution by using a natural, sustainable water source.
Not a customer? Join Red Energy today.
How using less hot water saves energy
In Australia, the average household uses about 15-30% of its total energy consumption on heating water. That’s almost one quarter of your energy bill, spent on hot water.
Say your annual energy bill is $1,500. Using the average above, you’d be spending between $225-450 each year heating up water. If you halved the amount of hot water you use – and perhaps change the way you heat that hot water – you could save significantly in the long run.
Once you have an understanding of your household hot water usage, you can start making simple changes to reduce your hot water consumption. You might also want to think about investing in a more energy-efficient hot water system, like solar.
Can solar hot water heaters help?
Solar hot water systems, which harness energy from the sun, could help to lower your energy bills in the long run (as long as you live somewhere that gets plenty of sunshine).
These systems typically come equipped with a gas or electric booster to ensure hot water availability on cloudy days or during periods of increased demand.
Additionally, solar hot water systems generally cost more to buy and install, so you need to weigh up these costs when calculating long-term cost savings.
How do water tanks save energy?
Rainwater tanks are an excellent way to save energy by reducing reliance on mains water supply. By harvesting rainwater, you can use it for non-potable purposes such as watering gardens, flushing toilets, and even washing clothes. This reduces the demand on treated water, which saves energy at water treatment plants.
The final word
There is a link between water usage and energy consumption. By reducing the amount of hot water you use in your home through some simple changes – or by switching to an energy-efficient system for heating up water – you could be well on your way to lowering your annual energy bills.
Join Red today
We’ve been powering what matters to Australians since 2004. Switch or move with Red today.
References
-
About Red Energy
Red Energy is 100% owned by Snowy Hydro Limited, who own, manage, and maintain the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme in New South Wales. Our Customer Solutions team is 100% based in Australia.