Being mindful of spending is important while at university, but many students overlook water bill mistakes that can lead to higher monthly costs. Students with a water meter are charged based on their usage, which means using more water than necessary can increase bills. Even students on an unmetered tariff should be mindful of their water use, as wasting it may still affect other household costs, such as energy.
The Most Expensive Student Water Bill Mistakes
Wasting Water Without Realising
When you’re getting on with your daily routine, it’s easy to overlook how much water you’re really using. Identifying how and when you could use less water is the first place to start. Habits like running half loads in the washing machine or ignoring dripping taps can increase your water usage more than you might think.
Assuming Water Usage Doesn’t Cost Much
While a small habit like taking long showers or leaving the tap running unnecessarily may seem unimportant, doing so frequently can add up quickly. Making small changes, like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or shortening your shower by a few minutes, can make a difference.
Ignoring Small Leaks
Leaks rarely just go away, so they shouldn’t be ignored. Those on a metered tariff will usually be charged for the water lost through the leak. Water build-up can also lead to more costly problems, like mould, damage, and rot. If you find a leak, report it to your landlord straightaway and turn off the water supply if the leak is severe.
Relying on Estimated Bills
If you have a traditional water meter, someone from your water company should come and take meter readings. However, not sending them yourself in between visits can lead to estimated bills. These are less likely to be accurate, which means you could be overcharged or undercharged and end up with a higher bill later. To avoid this, make sure to send regular meter readings to your water company. If you have a smart meter, readings will be sent automatically to your water company, and these can be installed in your home at no extra cost to you.
Not Communicating With Housemates
Saving on your water bill is a group effort. If only one person tries to make a change, this is unlikely to make a difference in a property with multiple students. Discuss as a group what you’d all like to do differently, whether that’s taking shorter showers or only running full loads in the washing machine.
What to Do If Your Water Bill Is Too High
An unexpectedly high water bill can be stressful, but there are several steps you can take to investigate why this might be the case.
- Compare it with previous bills: This can help you see if there are any sudden increases.
- Look at your bill to see if it’s estimated: Look for a label that says ‘E’ or ‘estimated’ next to the meter reading. If your previous bill was estimated low, your newest bill may reflect the actual, higher reading, which could explain the increase in cost.
- Check for leaks: Turn off your water supply at the stop tap and note the meter reading. Leave it off for a few hours, and then check the meter reading again. If it changes, there could be a leak somewhere.
- Contact your water supplier: They may be able to explain or investigate the high charges, such as checking for errors.
Tips For Reducing Your Student Water Bill
If you’re unsure of what you can do to make a change, here are some pointers:
- Take shorter showers
- Make your landlord aware of any leaks straightaway
- Use eco settings on appliances
- Avoid leaving the tap running unnecessarily (such as when you brush your teeth)
- Submit regular meter readings
- Only run the washing machine and dishwasher with full loads
- Agree on water-saving habits with housemates
How The Student Energy Group Can Help You Save On Your Water Bill
At The Student Energy Group, we understand that the last thing you want to do is worry about your bills. To make life easier, we’ll bundle all your water costs and other home utilities, including energy, gas, internet, and TV licence, into one monthly statement that you and your housemates can split equally between you. It only takes a few clicks to put together your perfect all-inclusive bill package for students. We’ll even plant a tree if you sign up with us, so you can support a greener future while saving money and reducing bill stress. Get a free quote from us today to make managing your bills easier.
