Bathroom & Laundry
Bathroom
The average Australian home uses 230,000 litres of water a year - around 40% is used in the bathroom and toilet.
There are lots of ways you can reduce your water consumption and save money. A few simple measures will also save energy in the bathroom and reduce your electricity bill.
- Install a AAA water-efficient showerhead and save around $50 to $100 in water and energy costs each year. Have shorter showers.
- Install dual-flush and water-efficient toilet
- Fix any leaks
- Turn off heated towel racks
- Re-use basin water to flush the toilet (integrated sinks available) and you may be able to retrofit your existing cistern to include a basin on top of the cistern. For details see www.royalflush.net.au
- Reuse shower water and water the garden - shower with a bucket to collect water
- Check on your bathroom heater and light – they can add more than $15 to your electricity bill each year
- Investigate water harvesting and grey water collection and treatment systems.
Showers
A shorter showers save money. Showers are the biggest users of hot water in most homes. Taking a four-minute shower can reduce your energy and water bills and save around half a tonne of greenhouse gas a year.
What taps will save you water?
To compare tap products including water ratings see www.waterrating.gov.au
Bathroom products in the Live Green House
Caroma dorf water-saving toilet
This water-efficient toilet with integrated basin has a five star WELS rating. It provides the water savings of a dual-flush toilet and reuses basin water. www.caroma.com.au
You’ll save water and reduce your household water bills. When the basin is used for washing hands, the grey water from the basin flows into the toilet cistern and is stored and used to flush the toilet.
The toilet system has an efficient design that saves materials and space with an integrated basin and cistern.
Caroma dorf water-saving tap
This water-conserving tap has a six-star rating, the highest rating currently available on the market. www.caroma.com.au
By minimising water usage you can save water and reduce your household bills.
Water Tank
By capturing rainwater run-off from your roof, rainwater tanks can provide a valuable water source to flush toilets, wash clothes, water gardens and wash cars.
Water Tank Rebates
Installing a water tank can save you money and help the environment. Sydney Water offer up to $1,500 in rebates.
The Federal Government’s National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative provides $500. This rebate is for new rainwater tanks that are connected to the toilet and/or washing machine.
Water timer
Water timers are a subtle reminder of your shower time. They are inexpensive, convenient and easy to install - a four minute power shower saves money.
Laundry
About 16% cent of water used inside your home is used in the laundry and around 3% of your electricity bill is generated by washing and drying.
There are easy things you can do to save water and energy in the laundry, reduce your bills and help our environment.
Did you know?
A water-efficient washing machine uses around 1/3 less water. If you purchase a water-efficient washing machine you’ll receive a Sydney Water $150 rebate.
Washing and drying
Energy and water efficient washing machines save you money, and there are now quality front loading and top loading models on the market – look for the star rating.
- Look for detergents made from natural ingredients, they are greener to produce and kinder on the environment and vital if you’re using grey water to keep your garden green
- Wash clothes in cold water to save on your electricity bill
- Wait until you have a fill load of clothes before washing to save water and energy
- Schedule washing outside peak energy times to save money on your electricity bill
- Reduce drying time - spin dry your clothes on the highest RPM cycle your washing machine offers
- Dry your laundry on a clothes line or clothes airer - two loads in the dryer each week adds $60 to your energy bill and produces 300kg of green house gas emissions each year
- Choose a dryer that automatically senses when clothes are dry
- Clean the lint filter on the dryer regularly to maintain full air flow, maximise the drying efficiency and minimise fire risk.
Did you know?
The average washing machine produces around 90kgs of greenhouse gas – if you wash with warm water that’s an extra 475kgs.
