Save Water at Home: 10 Tips That Pay Off
Water is a valuable resource – and you can significantly reduce water costs with simple measures. These 10 tips help immediately.
Water costs an average of €2–4 per cubic meter (1,000 liters) in Germany — which sounds cheap, but together with wastewater charges, a household quickly pays €600–900 per year. With simple measures, consumption can be reduced by 20–35%. And the added benefit: less hot water also means less heating costs.
In the Bathroom: The Biggest Lever for Water Savings
Approximately 37% of water consumption comes from showering, and 27% from the toilet. These are the areas with the greatest potential for savings.
1. Shower Shorter — With a Specific Goal
A showerhead typically dispenses 12–15 liters per minute. Showering 5 minutes less saves 60–75 liters per shower. For a 4-person family that showers daily: 87,000–109,000 liters less per year — that's equivalent to 87–109 cubic meters of water. At €3.50 per m³ (water + wastewater), that's €300–380 per year.
Helpful: A shower timer (€5, hang in the bathroom) or simply use a song as a timer. 3 minutes is more than enough for a thorough shower.
2. Install a Water-Saving Showerhead
A standard showerhead dispenses 12–15 liters per minute. Water-saving showerheads with flow restrictors: 6–9 liters per minute — with hardly any noticeable loss of comfort. Models from Hansgrohe (EcoSmart) or cheaper alternatives from €15 at Bauhaus or OBI can be installed in 5 minutes without tools. Payback: after 1–2 months.
3. Toilet with Dual-Flush System
Older toilets flush 9–12 liters per flush. Modern toilets with a stop button or dual-flush system: 3 liters (small button) or 6 liters (large button). Those who flush 5 times a day and consistently use the small button save 30–40 liters daily — 10,000–15,000 liters per year. Retrofitting a flush tank with a saver button costs €20–40 and can be installed by a non-plumber.
4. Turn Off Water While Brushing Your Teeth
Water running while brushing your teeth for 3 minutes: 36–45 liters. Turn it off and only turn it on for rinsing: 1–2 liters. A family of 4 people who brush their teeth twice a day saves 70,000–100,000 liters per year. Costs nothing, just requires a change in habit.
In the Kitchen and Laundry Room
5. Dishwasher Instead of Hand Washing
Hand washing dishes under running water consumes 50–80 liters. A modern dishwasher when fully loaded: 7–10 liters. This makes the dishwasher a water-saving alternative — provided it runs full. Those who wash dishes daily save 40–70 liters daily = 15,000–25,000 liters per year.
6. Fully Load the Washing Machine
A washing machine consumes 50–65
