Households are trying to cut energy costs, even in the bathroom. When it comes down to the shower vs bath battle – which one is cheaper? We find out.
Many of us love a luxurious soak in the bath without thinking about the cost too much. But with rising energy bills, it’s time to think about the cheaper alternatives.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, about 12% of a gas-heated household’s energy bill comes from heating water for baths and showers. And with rising average water bills, people are looking for ways to cut costs.
You can find out all the ways to get help with your water bill if you’re struggling in our comprehensive guide.
Here we compare shower vs bath water usage to find out which one is cheaper for your household.
Shower vs bath water usage
How much does it cost to have a shower?
An average ten-minute shower uses around 4.5kWh of heat, according to Renewable Heating Hub.
If you use electricity to heat up that water, it costs £1.21. This is based on the new average October price cap of 27p per kWh for electricity.
If you have a gas boiler, it uses around 5kWh as gas is not as efficient as electricity. Considering the October price cap of 7p for gas, it costs £0.35 for the same shower.
Discovery Water says that two litres from the tap costs around a third of a penny. So the cost of an electric shower would be £1.37 and a gas one would be £0.51 per use.
These rates apply only if you are on a water meter. If you’re not on a water meter you’ll pay a fixed rate regardless of your use. This is usually estimated based on the size of your home.
Here are the average costs for both electric and gas showers. Keep in mind that your cost depends on how long you shower, how many times and how energy-hungry your appliances are.
| Shower type | Per 10 min use | Cost if you shower once a day for a month | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric shower | £1.37 | £41.10 | £493.20 |
| Power shower (heated by gas boiler) | £0.51 | £15.30 | £183.60 |
How to save water when showering
If you have a water meter and are trying to keep costs down, here are some ways to save water with a shower.
- Quicker showers: It may be nice to stand under the shower for long when it’s cold, but it’s not cost-friendly. Even taking one minute off shower time every day can save £45 a year for families on metered water bills according to Thames Water. It would be an additional about £50 on energy bills
- Keep track of time: If you don’t know how long you’re spending in the shower, it’s time to get creative. You can get shower timers to make sure you don’t stay in there for too long. Here’s how to get water-saving freebies from your water supplier.
- Try a ‘navy’ shower: Navy showers are known to last a quick three minutes. You switch the shower off when scrubbing your hair and body with soap. It might be challenging but definitely worth a try.
- Change your shower head: Energy Saving Trust estimates that replacing an inefficient shower head could save you £60 on gas and water bills. This is for an average family if they are on a water meter. Find out how much water-saving freebies could save you.
- Shower at off-peak times: If you’re on economy 7 or 10, then showering off-peak between 10pm and 8am could cost you less. Find out more about how economy 7 works.
How much does it cost to use a bath?
According to Renewable Heating Hub, a 100L bath uses about 4.5kWh of heat.
If you use electricity to heat up that water, it costs £1.21. This is based on the new average October price cap of 27p per kWh for electricity.
If you have a gas boiler, it uses around 5kWh as gas is not as efficient as electricity. Considering the October price cap of 7p for gas, it costs £0.35 for the same shower.
Discovery Water says that two litres from the tap costs around a third of a penny. So the cost of an electric bath would be £1.37 and a gas one would be £0.51 per use.
These rates apply only if you are on a water meter. If you’re not on a water meter you’ll pay a fixed rate regardless of your use. This is usually estimated based on the size of your home.
Here are the average costs for both electric and gas baths. Keep in mind that your cost depends on the amount of water you use, how often you bathe and how energy-hungry your appliances are.
| Bath type | Per use | Cost if you bath once a day for a month | Annual use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100L bath with electricity | £1.37 | £41.10 | £493.20 |
| 100L bath with gas boiler | £0.51 | £15.30 | £183.60 |
How to save water when having a bath
There are not many ways to cut costs on a bath as compared to showering. However, here are some measures you can take.
Keep in mind that this is only if you have a water meter.
- Bathe at off-peak times: If you’re on an economy 7 tariff, then using water off-peak could prove to be cheaper between 10pm to 8am.
- Switch to a cheaper energy tariff: Find a cheap gas and electricity deal so you pay less to heat your water.
- Half-full method: Only fill the bathtub halfway when you’re taking a bath; it minimises water spillage.
- Adjust the water temperature: Don’t wait for the water to get hot. You can keep adjusting the temperature as the bathtub fills.
What is cheaper: shower vs bath water usage?
You can save around £130 if you switch to taking a shower instead of a bath.
Overall, taking a shower is generally cheaper than having a bath. But it can vary.
If you like taking showers for longer than ten minutes, you might be better off taking a bath.
Take this as an example. For a 20-minute shower, you pay more than £1.02 per use, which can cost you around £50 more on average than a bath.
Keep in mind that this is only based on average use. Your total shower or bath water usage may differ based on these factors:
- How much time you take in the shower/bath.
- How hot the water is.
- The volume of water used.
- The efficiency of your water appliances eg. boiler and shower head.
- Number of people in your household.
- Your water and sewerage supply.
Not sure about how much you pay for water? Find out the average water bill in the UK, how yours is calculated and where it goes.
If you’re looking to cut costs on household appliances, have a look at our energy-saving tips.
More energy saving tips
- Check out our appliance cost calculator to see how household items compare.
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- Dishwasher vs hand washing – which is cheaper?
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