Keeping hot water costs down - any suggestions or helpful tips?

[McClary111]

Following from a really useful thread about the cost of using electrical items within the home. I thought I would start one about hot water.

I heat my hot water twice a day. I have no idea how long it takes to heat a tank and how much it costs. I have never changed the temperature of my tank either. However knowing that my bill will rocket in April i want to set it to be most efficient.ñ and only heat it for a sufficient amount of time each day.

We use a dishwasher. The washing machine takes in cold water. But do wash up by hand 1 x per day usually. Plus baths/showers.

Does anyone have any helpful suggestions?

Shallower baths/shorter showers. Start reducing the temperature slightly each time.

Yes they are both good suggestions thank you. I even turn the water off whilst shampooing/conditioning etc (I was an environmentally conscious student back in the day and always kept this habit).

What temperature do others have their tank on? How many times a day do you heat your water and for how long? Does anyone have any idea on the cost to heat the tank?

We heat ours once early morning but there is usually still hot water when I wash up after dinner. Couldn't turn water off to wash hair, I'd freeze. Also shampooing only takes seconds then I wash while conditioner is on for a minute.

Mines set to e, which I think is 60 as the dial goes to 80.

The turning water off I do without thinking. Even my kids do it now!

I’m getting our 22 year old boiler replaced with as energy efficient a model as I can get, it can’t be efficient heating water twice a day on a timer. The immersion tank will go too, so more room in the airing cupboard.

I've been thinking of this too. I've started taking 15 minutes off the length of time my boiler is heated, morning and evening. I'll keep reducing it until someone complains it is cold!

For washing up, I used to automatically use a full bowl of water, but I've found that I can use half or three quarters that amount and still wash up effectively, also, only wash up when there is a full load to wash.

Many years ago I was told by a plumber that it’s more economical to keep the boiler on all day, than have it heat up twice.

@GeneLovesJezebel yes until this year I kept my heating (with a thermostat set at 20) rather than using it at a higher temperature two times a day as I heard it was more efficient. My bills were okay too, approx 120 a month (4 bed house) for Gas and electric combined. I upped my direct debit to 200 when my energy supplier went under last year. But i suspect without changing my use it will be around 400 by the end of the year. Which is a significant increase.

We have started turning the heating off at 7:45ish in an evening (when the children go to bed). Then back on at 6am. But it’s definitely colder.

We are fortunate can afford the increases but I want to experiment and see if alternative ways will save money (and therefore use less power).

@NannR luckily my ability to tolerate a pile of stuff next to the sink means we wait until the evening and do it all in one go. DH is a bit more proactive and uses more water if he is in during the day!

YanTan hopefully that will reduce your costs.

Hungry - great idea! I am going to reduce mine gradually. May stop heating the water in the evening when the kids go swimming as they shower there.

I like my immersion heater as when the gas has gone off in the past, we’ve still had hot water.
Also the cupboard is good for drying things.