Page last updated on 22nd April 2026
How to reduce water heating costs with 4-minute showers
With energy costs and bills still being on the top of mind for many of us, we teamed up with Energy Saving Trust to show you how a small change – having shorter showers – could save you money each year. Energy Saving Trust estimates that the average home in Great Britain could save money each year using this smart energy tip. If your water supply is metered, you could save even more.
So, find out how cutting back your shower time from 8 minutes to 4 minutes could save you money.
How much water does a shower use?
According to Water UK, an average 10-minute shower using a power shower can use up 130 litres of water, at 13 litres per minute. But 46% of the public believe they use under 20 litres of water per day
This why it’s important to keep an eye on your water usage. By using less water in the shower, you can not only lower your water bill but also reduce the energy needed to heat that water. This can help cut your overall household costs.
Water use: bath vs shower?
Showers typically use less water than baths, but the exact difference depends on how long you're in the shower and the type of showerhead you have. A short shower with an efficient showerhead will usually use significantly less water – and less energy to heat it – compared to a full bath.
If you're curious about how much energy your bath or shower uses, your smart meter can help. The in-home display shows how much gas and electricity you're using in near real-time, in pounds and pence.
To estimate the cost of a bath or shower, check your in-home display before and after having a bath or a shower.
Just remember to account for any other appliances running at the same time.
Ready to get a smart meter? Enter the name of your supplier in the box below to get started.
How long should you shower for to save money?
According to Energy Saving Trust, sticking to 4-minute showers, with the help of a timer, could save 17,000 litres of water per year. This water saving would save money on both the energy needed to heat the water, and on the cost of the water itself, if you have a metered water supply. So, to save money, the recommended shower time is around 4 minutes.
Click here for more water-saving tips from Energy Saving Trust.
How to reduce shower time to 4 minutes
Wondering how to shower faster? Follow the tips below to perfect the 4-minute shower:
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Get everything ready
Get everything ready for the shower before you turn the water on. No running around finding towels, shampoo, loofahs, etc., while the water is running. Get your shower essentials to hand first.
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Get a timer
Shower timers are small devices you can fix to the wall of your shower to time your shower. Some are digital, some are more like sand timers. They are available from a range of outlets and sometimes are available for free from water companies.
Alternatively, you could sing along to a song lasting 4 minutes to help you keep track of time. The charity Water Aid even put together a playlist of songs lasting 4 minutes.
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Pause the shower
4 minutes is the shower running time you are aiming for. So, pausing the water flow in your shower to shampoo your hair, or apply conditioner, may help you hit that target time.
And there you have it; the tips you need to perfect the 4-minute shower for your everyday routine!
Is there help and advice for those worried about the costs of energy?
Yes, if you are worried about the cost of energy and being able to pay your energy bills, we have information on the support and help which may be available.
Find out more about the support available from the government, including energy saving tips on the GOV.UK website.
Remember, by combining our smart energy tips you could save even more on your energy bills. Try reducing your boiler flow temperature or turning down your thermostat.
How much could I pay to run household appliances?
The appliance energy calculator below will show how the price cap change could affect the cost of using everyday household appliances. Simply update the drop-down buttons with your estimated usage to see the costs.
The energy calculator below will show how the price cap change could affect the cost of using everyday household appliances. Simply update the drop-down buttons with your estimated usage to see the costs.
The calculator below will show a cost estimate for the current price cap (April-June 2026), and compare that to the previous price cap (January-March 2026), and the price cap before that (October-December 2025). So, you can see how your energy bills might have changed over time.
Please note: The electricity used by domestic appliances can vary depending on make and model, so we’ve used average power ratings. We have also used the price cap figures for a standard variable rate, so this calculator doesn't take into consideration any fixed tariffs or additional costs.
This calculator was last updated on 01/04/2026.
How will the price cap increase affect my bills?
£37
Cost per month
Based on the current energy price cap
−£5
Compared to the previous price cap
(Jan-Mar 2026)
−£3
Compared to the price cap before the previous
(Oct-Dec 2025)
Our energy saving tips are courtesy of Nesta and Energy Saving Trust
It’s important that you use the energy you need to keep warm, safe and healthy at home. Please visit our trusted partners pages for more information on how to safely implement these tips within your home - Nesta and Energy Saving Trust.
Remember, by combining our smart energy tips you could save even more. Some of these tips include:
