Is it cheaper to take a shower or have a bath this winter?

The research put together by Yorkshire Water found that numerous everyday actions involving water were spiralling in cost although water rates remained unchanged. By far the most expensive use of water proved to be the humble bathtub.

Bath vs shower: which one is cheaper?

Water companies and environmentalists have long recommended switching from baths to shorter showers to conserve water, but the added impact of energy price spikes has created a renewed incentive.

Research by Yorkshire Water found the price of filling up a bath will be more than double the cost of last year for many households.

It is likely to cost us over £1,000 this year - more than double the price in 2022.

Altogether, between 2021 and 2023, the annual cost is expected to have vaulted from £303 a year to £1,023.

Meanwhile, according to Yorkshire Water, you could save £700 a year by opting for taking a shower instead.

The figures from the service company were based on three baths a week per household. It recommended switching to five showers a week instead and limiting ‘the time with the ducks’ from eight to four minutes.

What will happen to the energy prices and bills?

Despite the warm weather and successful self-rationing across Europe, energy prices are considerably higher than they were before 2022 and the bills are not expected to decrease any time soon.

Despite falling wholesale prices, the positive impact will take several months or more to impact household costs. This is because energy companies tend to purchase their supply well in advance, to hedge against further price changes.

Cornwall Insight, an energy consultancy, predicted last week that the energy price cap set by Ofgem would actually fall below the Government’s energy price guarantee by the summer.

Last month, ministers launched a multi-million-pound advertising campaign which featured ways to save energy, such as turning down a boiler’s flow temperature.

As it looks like, swapping the bath to the shower can definitely help you cut costs.

Sources used:

- The Telegraph: 'Annual cost of running a bath could reach £1,000, water company warns'