INVESTING in a tiny £3 gadget can cut your household bills by more than £200 and prevent costly damage.
Experts reveal one simple kitchen modification that shouldn’t be overlooked.
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Just by installing a water-efficient tap aerator you could save up to £200 a year and prevent £1,700 damage in the longer term.
A tap aerator is a small attachment that either fits onto the end of the tap or can be inserted into the existing spout.
The device controls the amount of water flowing through the tap without affecting the water pressure.
It mixes air with water and acts as a sieve, separating a single flow of water into tiny streams, and also decreases the space the water can flow through.
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As less water is being used, this means more savings to be had when it comes to your water bill.
It can also extend the lifespan of your plumbing system and save on costly water damage repairs that could cost up to £1,700, according to Checkatrade.
We spoke to the experts at Plumbworld about the benefits of using a water-efficient aerator.
What are the benefits of using a water-efficient aerator?
There are many other benefits to using a water-efficient aerator as well as immediate savings on your water bill.
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You can purchase one for as little as £3 from any DIY or plumbing store.
We had a look on the B&Q website where there were several models available ranging from £3 up to £12.
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Always shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal and what is right for you.
You can use price comparison sites such as Google Shopping and PriceSpy to compare prices across different retailers.
Meanwhile, here are the main benefits of installing a water-efficient aerator.
Substantial reduction in water usage
As previously mentioned installing an aerator can decrease the flow rate from your standard kitchen tap, without affecting the functionality.
Significant savings can be made especially for households that frequently use the kitchen tap for cooking, cleaning and other daily tasks.
Reducing your water consumption by about 10,000 litres a year, based on the average cost of water at around £0.003 per litre means you can save around £30 a year just on water usage.
Energy savings on water heating
Using an aerator also significantly reduces the amount of hot water used, which then lowers the energy required to heat that water.
Reducing the flow rate which leads to using 3 litres less hot water per minute can result in considerable savings, as around half of the tap’s usage involves hot water,
Making this small adjustment by using an aerator could save you £85 a year in energy costs.
Extended lifespan and reduced maintenance for plumbing
Aerators play a crucial role in reducing the water pressure that stresses pipes and decreases the likelihood of leaks developing at the connections and fittings.
When considering home improvements, it’s easy to overlook small changes that can lead to big savings
Plumbing expert
Using this preventative measure extends the lifespan of the home’s plumbing system and helps to avoid frequent minor repairs.
Reducing wear and tear on your plumbing system with the use of an aerator is estimated to prevent at least one plumbing repair a year which could save you around £50 on maintenance costs.
Improvement in water management efficiency
Efficient water usage facilitated by an aerator helps to stabilise water consumption.
This means there are fewer dramatic peaks in water use that can result in higher water bills.
This allows for more accurate and predictable budgeting for utility costs.
By mitigating unexpected spikes in water use and making utility bills more predictable, around £25 a year can be saved.
Environmental impact and sustainability
Using less water and energy can reduce your household’s carbon footprint.
While it is difficult to measure this in monetary terms the impact of sustainable practices can help prevent costly environmental degradation and resource scarcity issues.
It is estimated that the savings to be had by implementing more sustainable practices amounts to around £10 annually.
A spokesperson from Plumbworld said: “When considering home improvements, it’s easy to overlook small changes that can lead to big savings.
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Regularly checking and replacing the seals on your kitchen and bathroom fixtures can prevent leaks that not only waste water but can also cause long-term damage and costly repairs.
“This routine maintenance ensures that everything is operating efficiently, helping to avoid surprises in your utility bills.”
What water bill support is available?
IT’S always worth checking if you qualify for a discount or extra support to help pay your water bill.
Over two million households who qualify to be on discounted social water tariffs aren’t claiming the savings provided, according to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW).
Only 1.3million households are currently issued with a social water tariff – up 19% from the previous year.
And the average household qualifying for the discounted water rates can slash their bills by £160 a year.
Every water company has a social tariff scheme which can help reduce your bills if you’re on a low income and the CCW is calling on customers to take advantage before bills rise in April.
Who’s eligible for help and the level of support offered varies depending on your water company.
Most suppliers also have a pot of money to dish out to thousands of customers who are under pressure from rising costs – and you don’t have to pay it back.
These grants can be worth hundreds of pounds offering a vital lifeline when faced with daunting water bills.
The exact amount you can get depends on where you live and your supplier, as well as your individual circumstances.
Many billpayers across the country could also get help paying off water debts through a little-known scheme and even get the balance written off.
Companies match the payments eligible customers make against the debt on their account to help clear it sooner.
If you’re on a water meter but find it hard to save water as you have a large family or water-dependent medical condition, you may be able to cap your bills through the WaterSure scheme.
Bills are capped at the average amount for your supplier, so the amount you could save will vary.
The Consumer Council for Water estimates that bills are reduced by £307 on average through the scheme.
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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
