Pulling The Plug! A third of Brits have quit using the bath to cut energy costs
A third of people (32%) with baths have stopped using them due to high energy prices – while a brave one in ten (12%) now take cold baths instead[1]
Two in five people (44%) have cut the time they spend in the shower[1], with consumers now spending eight minutes washing each time on average[2]
A quarter (26%) of consumers turn off the hot water while shampooing their hair to save money, and a similar proportion (24%) use energy-efficient nozzles[1]
Edinburgh residents are the biggest bath-dodgers – with half (49%) of owners ditching the tub, while only one in seven (15%) have cut back in Belfast[1]
Uswitch.com offers tips on how households can shower more efficiently to reduce energy bills.
| City | People who have stopped using the bath (%) | Average time spent in the shower (mins) |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | 49% | 8.5 |
| Sheffield | 37% | 8.4 |
| Southampton | 35% | 8.1 |
| Brighton | 34% | 6.7 |
| London | 33% | 9.4 |
| Manchester | 33% | 9.8 |
| Birmingham | 32% | 8 |
| Bristol | 32% | 8.8 |
| Leeds | 32% | 8.8 |
| Liverpool | 31% | 6.9 |
| Norwich | 31% | 7.6 |
| Glasgow | 30% | 6.8 |
| Nottingham | 29% | 7.5 |
| Cardiff | 26% | 7.4 |
| Newcastle | 26% | 10 |
| Plymouth | 23% | 6.9 |
| Belfast | 15% | 6.8 |
A third of people with baths (32%) have stopped using the tub completely due to high energy prices[1], new research from Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service, has found.
Nearly half of bath-owners (46%) have reduced the number of baths they take, and one in ten (12%) have swapped washing in hot water to taking cold baths instead. Two in five bath owners (42%) have cut down on the amount of water they fill the tub with[1].
People are also reducing the time they spend in the shower, with two in five people (44%) cutting down[1]. On average, Brits spend eight minutes in the shower, with men taking seven minutes to wash and women taking nine[2].
An eight-minute wash in a 7.5kW electric shower currently costs 28p, which will fall to 24p when the new price cap comes into effect in April[3].
A quarter (26%) of consumers turn off the hot water while they are shampooing their hair to save energy, while a similar proportion (24%) use energy efficient nozzles, which regulate the amount of water used to reduce costs[1].
Where possible, a fifth (21%) try to shower at the gym or their workplace to avoid using hot water at home[1].
People in Newcastle take the longest showers at ten minutes on average, followed by Manchester at 9.8 minutes. The shortest showers are had in Brighton, where people take 6.7 minutes on average[2].
Edinburgh residents are the UK’s biggest bath-dodgers – with 49% of people ditching the tub due to high energy costs, while only 15% have cut back in Belfast[1].
Uswitch.com is offering tips on how households can use appliances more efficiently to reduce energy bills, including only running washing machines and dishwashers when they are full.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “The energy crisis has changed the way we use energy — and a third of bath-owners have pulled the plug on soaking in the tub.
“Baths require a lot more hot water than showers, meaning they’re a more expensive way of washing. Some consumers have continued taking baths during the energy crisis, but have reduced the amount of water they use to cut costs.
“Thankfully, energy prices will fall in April and are predicted to drop further in July — meaning bath fans may feel they can soon return to a relaxing soak after a long day.”
Uswitch’s tips for showering more efficiently
1. Get an energy-efficient shower head. These can reduce the amount of hot water you use, but it will still feel like a strong shower. This will also help to save you money on your water bills if you are on a meter.
2. Reduce the time spent showering. Many people have already cut down the time they spend in the shower, as this reduces the amount of water that needs heating and therefore saves energy and pounds.
3. Turn down the heat. Those having very hot showers may find they can still enjoy their wash with a slightly cooler temperature. Turning down the heat settings will help to cut down energy costs.
Track your household energy usage with free mobile app Utrack by Uswitch here.
Notes
Research conducted online by Opinium, 1st to 5th March 2024, among 2,000 UK adults, weighted to be nationally representative.
1. Respondents were asked ‘Thinking about your bath and showering habits, please indicate which of the following statements are true or false for you?’ 32% said ‘I have stopped using the bath completely due to high energy/heating prices’, 46% said ‘I have reduced the number of baths I take due to high energy/heating prices’, 42% said ‘I have reduced the amount of water I run for my baths due to high energy/heating prices’, 12% said ‘I have swapped hot baths for cold baths due to high energy/heating prices’, 44% said ‘I have reduced the time I spend in the shower due to high energy/heating prices’, 11% said ‘I have swapped hot showers for cold showers due to high energy/heating prices’, 26% said ‘I turn off the water in the shower while I shampoo or soap myself’, 24% said ‘I have started using an energy efficient shower nozzle due to high energy/heating prices’, 21% said ‘When I can I try to wash myself in locations such as the gym or at work to avoid paying high energy/heating prices at home’, 10% said ‘I have stopped washing myself altogether due to high energy/heating prices’.
2. Respondents were asked ‘When you have a shower, how long do you typically spend in the shower?’. Average was 8.4 minutes. Average for men was 7.4 minutes, average for women was 9.4 minutes. See table for regional breakdown.
3. 7.5kW shower x 8 minutes x £0.28 electricity costs = 28p. 7.5kW shower x 8 minutes x £0.25 electricity costs = 24p.
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to switch their energy, broadband and mobile than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.