Hot water

Your hot water system works hard every day, and a few small changes can make a big difference to your business’s energy use. Choosing the right tariff, looking after your system and tweaking a few habits can all help reduce the electricity your hot water needs.

Running your hot water system efficiently

  • Switch it off if you won’t need hot water for a while - like over holiday breaks
  • Set the thermostat to a safe, sensible level. Anything higher than you need pushes your bills up for no reason. A good guide is at least 60°C to kill bacteria
  • Connect to an economy tariff if you can. It’s a simple way to lower the cost of heating your water,

Choose energy‑efficient hot water options

  • Insulate your pipes and tank. Around 30% of the electricity used to heat water can be lost through heat escaping - insulation stops that waste
  • Position your system close to where hot water is used. Shorter pipe runs mean less heat loss
  • Pick a system that suits your budget, location and usage. If it's too big, you’ll heat water you don’t use - costing you more
  • Reduce water use with low‑flow nozzles or electronic tap sensors
  • Consider solar or heat pump systems if they suit your site. Look for options with a manual booster switch for better control.

Man with a hat checks dial on a home hot water system

Keep your equipment in good shape

  • Fix cracks, leaks or faulty parts promptly - leaks waste water and electricity
  • Make sure your insulating jacket is topped up with water as required and in good condition
  • Correctly use the filler switches according to the unit’s instructions.