Installers urged to offer water efficiency advice during home improvement boom

With 2021 a boom year for home improvements, Water Regs UK is reminding installers to keep water efficiency front of mind when advising homeowners about bathroom makeovers.

At the turn of the year, almost one in six homeowners said they were planning some kind of home improvement in 2021*.

Many of those plans will include a bathroom upgrade and Water Regs UK sees that as an opportunity to remind homeowners about water efficiency.

As a nation, we underestimate the amount of water we use. A Water Regs UK study revealed that Brits believe the average person uses 72 litres of water per day, which is half the actual amount used by the average person**.

With this in mind, Water Regs UK is encouraging trades professionals to talk to their customers about the steps that can help reduce the amount of water wasted around the home.

Installers and plumbers are in a unique position, being trusted to offer expert advice and guidance to homeowners looking to upgrade their bathrooms.

The advice they can offer will not only save water, they can also save a customer money if they are on a water meter.

There’s an array of products and measures that can help make homes become more water efficient, but the Water Regs UK research showed that many people are unaware that some of them even exist.

10 common water saving measures Brits aren’t aware of:

1. Drought resistant plants (81%)
2. Taps with aerators that use less water (79%)
3. Cistern displacement device (74%)
4. Insulating pipework to prevent leaks (69%)
5. Using greywater or rainwater to flush your toilet (66%)
6. Shower flow limiter (65%)
7. Water efficient dishwasher (63%)
8. Water efficient washing machine (54%)
9. Water efficient shower head (51%)
10. Shower timer (49%)

As part of the Government’s 25-Year Environment Plan to reduce personal water consumption, it has recently been announced that mandatory water efficiency labels are set to be introduced in the UK.

The labels are being introduced in a bid to inform consumers on water efficiency, while encouraging them to reduce water waste.

They will also be another prompt for installers to offer customers the best possible advice about water efficiency when specifying products for a bathroom upgrade.

Julie Spinks, Managing Director of Water Regs UK, commented:

“The introduction of mandatory water efficiency labels is a step in the right direction as it will give consumers better information to decide which products to buy and contribute to reducing the amount of water we waste as a nation.

“Any water label should also confirm that the product has been tested to show they are of suitable quality and standard. A product that is water efficient but then leaks would defeat the purpose of the label

“Plumbers and Installers play a crucial role in helping people make educated choices when it comes to choosing the right products for their bathroom and, with 2021 being such a big year for home improvements, that advice is more important than ever before.”

*Survey by Attic Self Storage reported in DIY Week www.diyweek.net/half-of-brits-set-to-spend-47-billion-on-home-improvements-in-2021

**Water Regs UK surveyed 2000 UK adults in September 2020