How to save money on hot water heating

Heating water makes up a significant portion of household energy usage, typically accounting for 17% of your energy bill.

Why is my water heating bill so high?

There are many factors that can reduce the efficiency of your water heater, causing your energy bills to inflate. These include:

• Age
  Traditional water heaters typically have a lifespan of between 10-15 years. Once they’ve reached this, you can expect the efficiency to start to drop. The less efficient your water heater is, the more it will cost you to heat water.
• Thermostat
  If the thermostat on your water heater is set too high, you’ll be wasting money keeping water at an unnecessarily high temperature. Turning your thermostat down can help save money on your energy bills.
• Water quality
  If you live in a hard water area, minerals and sediments can build up at the bottom of your water heater and coat the heating element. This can reduce the efficiency of the heater, leading to higher energy bills.
• Capacity
  If your water heater is not big enough for your household’s water needs, it will constantly work to keep up with demand. This continuous operation increases energy consumption and raises your energy bill.

How much does hot water cost?

Data from the Energy Saving Trust shows that the average UK household uses 343 litres of water per day. Homes with water meters are bills based on their water usage, calculated on a per litre tariff along with a fixed standing charge. Metered users generally have a slightly higher household occupancy rate (2.53 people per household) compared to the average British home, which has 2.1 people per household according to Ofwat. Adjusting for this occupancy difference, the average water bill for a metered home is around £369 per year, and the average water bill for those without water meters is around £404.

How to save money on hot water bill

Reducing your hot water bill can be achieved through efficient technologies and simple changes, including:

• Upgrade to energy efficient appliances
  Installing an energy-efficient water heater, such as a Sunamp heat battery, can save you money on your energy bills. These innovative thermal storage systems are highly efficient, reducing standing heat losses by up to 75% compared to traditional hot water cylinders.
• Insulation
  Insulating your water heater and pipes can reduce heat loss, ensuring your water stays hot for longer and reducing the amount of energy needed to heat it.
• Fix leaks
  A dripping tap can waste a huge amount of water, increasing your bills.
• Low-flow fixtures
  Installing low-flow showerheads and taps can reduce your water usage without compromising on performance.
• Go renewable
  Heating your water using electricity generated from renewable sources, such as solar PV, can save you a considerable amount on your energy bills. Running a Sunamp heat battery from solar panels could even eradicate your water heating bills!

Does turning your hot water heater down save money?

Reducing the flow temperature of your boiler could help you save money on your energy bills. Research shows that turning down the flow temperature improves the efficiency of your boiler by around 4% - 5%.

Is it cheaper to leave hot water on?

No. You will use a little more energy initially when the water heater turns on to get the water back up to temperature, but you would use far more energy heating the cylinder for hours when nobody is using any hot water. You could use a timer to heat your water for an hour or two each day just before you would usually need hot water for a shower or bath.

Does hot water on demand save money?

Hot water on demand systems, such as tankless water heaters, can save you money on your energy bills in several ways:

• Heat loss
  These systems only heat water when needed, avoiding the energy loss associated with stored hot water.
• Efficiency
  Hot water on demand systems are typically more efficient as they do not require a storage tank, saving both space and energy.

Can I save money on hot water

Yes, you could save money on hot water by making a few adjustments to your household’s water usage and heating methods. Most importantly, upgrading to an energy-efficient water heater, such as a Sunamp heat battery, could save you a significant amount on your energy bills. Fixing any leaks and installing low-flow fixtures could also help you save.

Best way to save money on hot water

We recommend upgrading your water heater to a Sunamp thermal store. Sunamp uses a state-of-the-art phase change material (PCM) to absorb, store and release large amounts of latent heat when changing state between solid and liquid. Sunamp’s PCM stores up to four times more energy than heating and cooling hot water, meaning the units are much smaller than traditional hot water cylinders. They can be charged from renewable sources, such as solar PV, and boast a 10-year warranty on the heating element and storage core. Sunamp heat batteries require no mandatory annual maintenance, giving you fresh, clean hot water at mains pressure throughout the house. Combining a Sunamp water heater with a solar PV system means you can store surplus energy, giving you hot water for free.  

Get in touch today to find out more and to arrange your free home survey.