The advice comes as water bills are set to rise again in April this year
A finance expert has shared a simple bedroom test that could save you “hundreds of pounds” on your water bills. The advice comes as households across England and Wales are set to be hit by another price hike.
On the Money Saving Expert (MSE) website, founded by Martin Lewis, the team explained that water bills are due to go up in April. They said: “Regulator Ofwat last week announced water bills across England and Wales will go up again this April.
“This is on top of last year’s huge increase (which averaged 26 per cent) – and sadly increases are expected to continue for at least three more years. However, the five per cent is an average – there’s huge variance across firms with rises from zero per cent up to 13 per cent – so check your water firm’s hike.”
Luckily, they said there are ways to bring costs down. “Yet just because the water world is a perverse one with privatisation and no competition, don’t assume there aren’t ways to save,” the MSE website said.
This includes a rule set out by Martin. The team said this means first checking if you have more bedrooms in your home than people.
If you do, it is worth getting a free water meter. MSE said: “Can you save £100s with a free water meter?
“Water bills are based on the old pre-1990 rates system, where the amount you pay’s roughly based on your home’s rental value, not your usage. So bigger homes tend to pay more, even if they don’t use much water.
“Yet you can get a free water meter in England and Wales, which measures how much you use and bills you accordingly. Here’s Martin’s simple rule of thumb…”
The rule explained is: “More bedrooms in your home than people (or the same number)? Eg, three bedrooms, two people…there’s a good chance you can save.” To check you can use an online water meter calculator from The Consumer Council for Water here.
MSE added: “If the water calc shows savings are likely, but you want a more formal assessment, your water firm can do that. For some, the savings can be massive.”
One MSE reader, Debbie, used this method. She said: “I took your tips on installing a water meter. My Direct Debit has gone from £108 a month to £19, [a £1,068/yr saving]. Thank you, Martin.”
If you voluntarily fit a water meter but want to switch back you can. Typically you have two years to do so.
“If you voluntarily fit a meter, with most (though not all) firms you’ve up to two years to change your mind and go back for free (see firm-by-firm switch-back policies), so if it doesn’t work for you, don’t worry,” MSE said. It’s important to note that all the above advice applies to England and Wales.
MSE said:”Water charges in Northern Ireland are part of rates. In Scotland they’re part of a ‘combined service charge’ along with other services. While you can have a water meter installed, it’s pricey, so unless you live alone in a manor-type property, estimated payments are cheaper.”
For more information, visit the MSE website here.
