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Shower power

Shower power

DoAction 26

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take short sharp showersDoers doing this DoAction have pledged to save: 12232 kg CO2
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James Bond took cold showers to ‘harden himself up’; the Spartans thought warm water was for the weak and unmanly. But there are plenty of other reasons to take shorter, cooler showers: saving time, money, and energy for starters.

On average we spend 8 or 9 minutes a day in the shower, making up about 12% of our water usage  and costing up to £918 a year . 

10 litres

of water a minute is used by the average shower 

So reducing our shower time will not only give you longer in bed, but also save water, energy and carbon, not to mention money on your bills.
 
Go on, start each day like James Bond: take shorter, cooler showers.

Why?

Water

Whilst water is everywhere – it covers 70% of the Earths surface and it seems to fall from the British skies endlessly – less than 1% of it is drinkable. And we use a lot of that precious 1% in our showers.
 
With the exception of Belgium and Cyprus, the UK has less water available per person than any other EU country. Even more surprising – the south east of England has less water per capita than the Sudan or Syria .
Our average daily shower can easily use more water per minute than a person in Africa might have for a whole day. 
 
70% more water is used per person per day now than forty years ago.
 

Health

Many people swear by the health benefits of taking a cold shower, the list of benefits they are meant to bring is endless: improved circulation, increased metabolism, relief of depression, healthy skin and hair, strengthened immunity, increased fertility and increased energy and well-being.1

Climate Change

Not only does heating water account for a bulky 19% of home energy , but water treatment both up and downstream of your home is also very energy intensive. In fact, the UK water industry produces 5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. 

Heat and use less water and you’ll be using less energy, saving carbon and the climate. 

Time 

Reducing the time you spend in the shower means you get to lie in bed longer or read an extra few pages of your book…. You choose!

Money

It’s a no brainer. Shorter showers mean less to pay on your water bill. Simple.

How?

Cooler: Turn the heat down, take a slightly cooler shower.

Shorter: Get yourself a shower timer or simply time yourself by singing your favourite (short) song as you wash. 

More efficient: Power showers use a huge amount more water than traditional showers; for the same powerful effect with half the water usage, invest in an aerated or low-flow shower head.

 

Want to do this action? Head over to our list of Doers and make your pledge. 

DoAction created by Katie Turner

 

1 - http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/cold-showers-are-good-for-you--official-738026.html