Octopus Energy says 'four-minute' bathroom change could save 'up to £45'

Octopus Energy says 'four-minute' bathroom change could save 'up to £45' Cutting back on this habit could help reduce your monthly bills Making one bathroom habit change could make a difference to your bills, Octopus Energy claims. The energy provider suggests trimming down the time spent showering could cut "up to £45" off your bills, leaving homeowners better off financially. The length of time you spend in the shower directly affects your water and energy bills. Cutting down on long, hot showers can be beneficial if you're keen to keep bills as low as possible. Now the weather is turning colder, and the price cap recently increased, keeping costs to a minimum is a priority for many. On its website, Octopus Energy said: "Keeping your shower time to just four minutes could save a typical household £45 a year." The advice came from the Energy Saving Trust - a UK-based organisation that has been promoting energy efficiency since 1992. The trust claims that taking a four-minute shower "could save a typical household in Great Britain £45 a year". It adds that the average household will "also save 17,000 litres of water a year" - meaning a saving in water bills too. Studies show that many of us spend up to 10 minutes washing each time we shower. Reducing this to just four could substantially cut energy consumption and, in turn, lead to lower bills. The trust also suggests skipping the bath in favour of a shower to save money on water and energy bills. It says: "Some of us might enjoy a long soak in the bath, but swapping just one bath a week with a four-minute shower could save you £10 a year in Great Britain." The energy supplier also backs the idea of swapping out the shower head, as it could be costing homeowners more in energy. The firm claims: "Swapping out a standard shower head can save an extra £25 per year on energy and water heating." Ensure our latest energy-saving headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings What other tips could help homes save on energy bills? Phil Steele, Future Technologies Evangelist at Octopus Energy, claims there is a lesser-known energy-saving hack he believes more people should be aware of. To help homeowners stay warm without splashing out on the central heating, he suggests introducing a '6.30pm rule'. He said: "Something as simple as closing your curtains when it gets dark can help keep warmth inside your home, particularly if you have thick or thermal curtains. Just make sure they don't hang over your radiators, as this can trap heat behind them rather than warming the room. "It's a small change that can help you make better use of the heating you're already paying for." For more advice and tips, click here for the full list.