British Gas has issued a stark warning to households across the UK, urging them to drastically reduce the time they spend in the shower. The major energy supplier is advising customers to limit their showers to just four minutes in a bid to combat rising energy costs.
The Four-Minute Shower Challenge
The call to action comes as energy regulator Ofgem increases the price cap, putting further pressure on domestic budgets. British Gas suggests that cutting a typical 10-minute shower down to four minutes could save a household up to £70 a year on energy bills alone. This saving is achieved by significantly reducing the amount of hot water used and, consequently, the energy required to heat it.
This advice is backed by the Energy Saving Trust, which provides a slightly more conservative estimate. The Trust calculates that limiting showers to four minutes could still lead to substantial savings of around £45 per year on energy bills. Furthermore, this simple behavioural change has a major environmental benefit, conserving approximately 17,000 litres of water per household annually.
Expert Advice on Retaining Heat
Beyond the bathroom, British Gas is promoting other cost-effective measures to help homes stay warmer for longer without increasing energy use. The company's online guidance highlights two key strategies:
- Draught-proofing your home to prevent heat from escaping.
- During colder winter months, closing blinds and curtains to create an additional layer of insulation and keep warmth inside.
The supplier also points to thermal imaging cameras as a useful tool for identifying areas of heat loss. These devices visually display warmer areas in red and colder spots in blue, helping homeowners target insulation efforts. Notably, some local councils offer free loans of these cameras to residents.
A Competitive Energy Landscape
British Gas, one of the country's largest energy firms, operates in a highly competitive market. Its rivals include other major providers such as OVO Energy, EDF Energy, EON Next, Scottish Power, and Octopus Energy. The push for energy efficiency is becoming a common theme across the sector as households seek ways to manage their expenditure.
The core message from both British Gas and the Energy Saving Trust is clear: small, consistent changes in daily habits can lead to meaningful financial savings and a reduced environmental footprint. As one expert summarised, shortening your shower time reduces the volume of water wasted and directly cuts the cost of heating it.
