Smarter hot water use in your bathroom
Heating water is usually the second biggest energy user in the home after home heating. That means every shower, bath and hot tap matters. With a few simple changes in the bathroom, you can cut energy use, save money and still stay comfortable.
Avoid pouring money down the drain
Small changes in how you use hot water can really add up over the year.
Simple ways to cut waste
- Choose showers over baths where you can. A reasonably short shower usually uses much less hot water than a full bath.
- Fit a low‑flow or efficient shower head. You’ll use less hot water without losing comfort.
- In the bathroom and kitchen, don’t leave hot taps running while brushing your teeth, shaving or washing. Turn them off between uses.
- Fix dripping hot taps as soon as you can. A constant drip wastes hot water and energy over time.
Showers, baths and smart routines
You don’t have to give up baths altogether, but a few smart routines can help you use less hot water day to day.
Make small changes that add up
- Keep showers short. Aim for minutes, not tens of minutes. Cutting just a few minutes off each shower can save a surprising amount over a month.
- Treat baths as an occasional luxury rather than a daily habit if you have the choice.
- If you have both an electric shower and one fed by your boiler or hot water cylinder, think about how your system works:
- In warmer months, when central heating isn’t needed, an electric shower can sometimes be cheaper than running a full boiler cycle just for hot water.
- In colder months, when the boiler is already on for heating, a boiler‑fed shower may make more sense.
- Keep shower temperatures comfortable rather than very hot. Extremely hot water uses more energy and often gets mixed down with cold anyway.
Get your hot water temperature right
Safe and efficient settings
- Set your hot water thermostat to around 60–65°C. This is hot enough for safety in most homes without excessive heat loss.
- Avoid setting the cylinder or boiler much higher unless you have a specific reason and know what you’re doing. Very high temperatures increase energy waste and the risk of scalding.
- If you have young children, older adults or anyone at risk of scalding, consider thermostatic mixer valves on baths and showers. These deliver water at a safe temperature.
- Use warm water where possible for everyday tasks instead of heating the whole system hotter than you need.
Timers, immersion heaters and hot water controls
Good controls help you heat only the water you actually use.
Use controls more effectively
- If you have an immersion heater, use a timer so it only heats water when needed. Avoid leaving it on constantly, especially on boost.
- If you’re on a time‑of‑use electricity tariff, set immersion heaters to run mainly during cheaper off‑peak periods, using daytime boost only when necessary.
- If your boiler heats both radiators and hot water, use the programmer to set specific hot water times rather than leaving it on all day. Ask your plumber is the system optimised i.e. some boilers are set up so water is always heated if the heating is on.
- If you often have lots of unused hot water, try slightly shorter heating times until you find a balance that works for your household.
Insulate and maintain your hot water system
Stopping heat escaping from your hot water system is one of the simplest ways to cut waste.
Reduce heat loss
- Insulate accessible hot water pipes, especially in unheated areas like attics or under floors.
- Make sure your hot water cylinder has good insulation. A well‑insulated cylinder loses less heat and needs reheating less often.
- Check for leaks around cylinders and pipes and get them fixed promptly. Even small leaks waste water and energy.
- In older homes, upgrade thin or damaged insulation when you’re doing other work in the airing cupboard, attic or plant room.
Everyday bathroom energy‑saving habits
Small daily habits can make a real difference.
Easy habits to adopt
- Turn off hot taps while brushing teeth or shaving, switching them on only when needed.
- Use extractor fans when necessary for moisture control, then turn them off. Leaving them on too long removes heated air from your home.
- Choose sensible flow settings on power showers so you’re not using more water than you need.
- Ventilate bathrooms well after showers and baths to prevent damp and mould, reducing the need to overheat rooms to dry them out.
Staying safe and knowing when to get help
Saving energy should never compromise safety.
Keep safety front and centre
- Always use qualified professionals for work on boilers, hot water systems or pressurised cylinders.
- If you’re unsure how to adjust thermostats or timers, ask an installer or trusted advisor to show you and note the settings that work best.
- If you’re struggling with energy bills, check local advice services and official schemes that may offer support, guidance or grants to improve hot water systems and overall home efficiency.
Extra resources
For more tips visit our energy saving tips page. For practical, up‑to‑date advice on saving energy across your home, you can visit these trusted public sources:
If you live in the Republic of Ireland
- Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for guidance, tools and grants to help you save energy at home.
- RTÉ Lifestyle for practical articles on energy and everyday living.
If you live in Northern Ireland
- NI Direct for information on energy advice and grants in your area.
- NI Housing Executive for practical tips to help you save energy and money.
- Consumer Council for Northern Ireland for independent advice on reducing energy use and costs.