With rising operational costs, we know that every saving counts. We're here to help your business use less water and energy, reducing your bills and improving your environmental performance.
The Hidden Energy Costs in Your Water Use
You know that heating water for your business requires a lot of energy, but did you know that cold water uses a significant amount of energy, too? Collecting, cleaning, and pumping water to your premises is a highly energy-intensive process.
By using less water in your day-to-day operations, you can lower your energy bills and help us reduce the amount of electricity we need to treat and supply water across the region. This allows us to invest more in our network, ensuring a reliable water supply for all our customers.
Small Changes, Big Impact
In your daily business operations, water is often a resource you don't think about. It's used everywhere, from employee kitchens and bathrooms to specific business processes like manufacturing, cleaning, and heating.
While the individual actions of a single employee may seem small, together, they can significantly affect your company's energy costs. The Energy Saving Trust found that cutting a shower from seven minutes to four could save a typical household £135 annually on energy and water bills, while also conserving 31,500 litres of water a year. These savings scale up dramatically when applied to a commercial setting with multiple employees and water uses.
Why Saving Water is Good for Business
Saving water isn't just about reducing your water bill—it’s also a powerful way to cut energy costs. The process of collecting, treating, and supplying water to your business is very energy-intensive. By reducing your water consumption, you help us reduce the amount of electricity we need to deliver a reliable supply, which allows us to invest more in our infrastructure. Here’s how you can make some easy savings in your workplace:
Washing machines
Washing clothes, including uniforms, at 30 degrees and doing one less load of laundry a week could save you £24 a year. Using the ECO cycle, if you have one, can also save water and energy.
Kettles and sinks
Only fill the kettle with the water you need to help reduce water and energy use. A tap aerator can also reduce the amount of water you use and could save you £29 a year.
Dishwashers
Wait until your dishwasher is full before using it. This simple change reduces water usage and running your dishwasher on one fewer occasion each week could save you £12 a year.
Showers
If your workplace has showers, consider shortening your shower time to four minutes, which can save you £60 a year on energy bills (or £135 on combined energy and water bills if you have a water meter). Installing a water-efficient showerhead could save you another £60 a year. You can get a brand-new showerhead from us, for free here [insert gadgets link]
Working Together for a Sustainable Future
Climate change is a critical issue, and at South East Water, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact. We have already cut our operational carbon by 38%, but we have an ambitious goal to reach operational carbon net zero by 2030. We are working with experts and partners to achieve this, and your business can play a vital part.
By using less water, you can help us reduce our energy consumption and carbon emissions. It takes a significant amount of electricity to treat and supply water to your business. Every litre of water your business saves helps us lower our operational energy use and allows us to invest more in our infrastructure.
Simple changes in your daily operations can lead to significant reductions in both water and energy bills, contributing to your business's bottom line and a more sustainable future for everyone.