Why do we need to save water in rainy Scotland? 

It’s commonly believed that with our rainy climate, we don't need to conserve water here in Scotland. However, the truth is that less than 1% of rainfall ends up somewhere Scottish Water has access to. And although rainwater can replenish rivers, lochs, and reservoirs quickly, in dry weather these reserves can drop rapidly leaving many communities at risk of water shortages. By avoiding water waste, you could be helping to ensure that there is enough water for everyone, whatever the weather.

With climate change, warmer and drier summers are set to become more typical. In 2023, water alert levels were reached in a few areas  in Scotland for the first time. This means that as our climate changes, water becomes even more precious. Every litre of water saved means more water for our lochs and reservoirs – and is kinder to wildlife too. 

Saving water can also make a big impact on your energy bills. Using less water means reducing the energy needed to treat, pump and heat water, which also helps to cut your carbon emissions and help protect our environment.

Saving water at home 

There are simple steps you can take at home to save water. Did you know that, according to Energy Saving Trust, a dripping tap can waste 5,500 litres of water every year? Replacing the washer in your tap can fix this. You can also save fives litres of water every time you brush your teeth if you turn the tap off while you’re brushing. 

Saving water and saving energy go hand in hand. This means that by reducing your water use you could be reducing your energy bills and your carbon footprint. According to Scottish Water, in the UK, water use accounts for 6% of carbon emissions. Simple habits like only filling the kettle with how much water you need will save both water and energy. 

Read our article on saving water in everyday life to learn more useful tips that could help you reduce your energy bills.   

It’s no surprise that with high energy prices, many people want to take action to improve their home’s energy efficiency and make it warmer. Unfortunately, scammers try to take advantage of people seeking help. Common scam tactics include online ads, emails, cold calling, or leaflets through doors.

 Scams may appear to be from a reputable organisation and mention legitimate grants, and you may feel pressurised to make a quick decision before the offer expires. We advise you to do your own research before you commit to any offers.

Figuring out which offers for energy efficiency products and incentives are real and which are scams can be difficult. Trading Standards Scotland’s website has lots of information about common scams, including energy scams, and lets you know where to turn for trusted advice.

Get trusted advice on reducing your bills

We’re funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Energy Saving Trust. All our advice is free, expert and impartial. We never cold call people and we don’t sell anything. 

If you want to make your home more energy efficient and reduce your energy bills, contact us for free and impartial advice to help you make the right choice.

If you’re struggling to pay your bills we will point you in the right direction for financial support.

Complete a home energy check

A great starting point for managing your home’s energy use is to complete a home energy check to see how efficient your home is now, how you can improve it, and how much money you’ll save by making improvements. You’ll get a free, personalised report with tailored recommendations. Saving energy reduces carbon emissions, so you’ll be helping to address climate change too.

Find legitimate funding

Whether it’s a new boiler, insulation or solar panels, you might be looking for funding to help cover the cost of making energy efficiency improvements. We can help you find funding, including grants and interest-free loans from the Scottish Government. We can chat through the funding option that’s right for your situation and guide you through the application process.

Some installation companies may advertise that they can help you find funding for specific energy improvements such as new boilers or insulation. Beware, they will go through the same process as you would (by speaking to an advisor or using our funding finder, for example), but their interest is in selling you their own products. All funding applications need to be completed by the applicant, not an installer acting on someone else’s behalf, so they can’t help you apply.

Help to find an approved installer

If you’re installing energy saving home improvements, the person or company doing the work is as important as the improvements you choose to make. We always recommend getting three quotes and checking if the installer is a member of any accreditation schemes or trade associations, and asking what guarantees they provide for the quality of their work.

If you’re looking for someone to install low carbon technologies like a heat pump or solar panels, check out Energy Saving Trust’s Renewables Installer Finder. If you’re looking for a local trader, find one that’s approved by Trading Standards Scotland by visiting trustedtrader.scot.

Contact us first

We’re here to help you make the right decision. Before you start any home improvements, read our guide on ways to make your home warmer or contact us.

What to do if you think you’ve been scammed

If you’re in Scotland, you can report scams to Advice Direct Scotland. Anyone who has been the victim of fraud should report it to Police Scotland on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Reduce the amount of energy you’re using

There are easy quick changes you can make in your home that you won’t need to get permission from your landlord for. Think about where you’re using too much energy and what the alternatives are. For example:

• switching the tumble dryer for a rack in the summer will save you £50 per year
• washing your clothes at 30 degrees could save you £12 per year
• installing energy efficient LED lightbulbs is another great way to save energy
• turning your thermostat down by one degree can make a bigger difference than you might think. You could save £85 per year by keeping it at 21 degrees instead of 22. 

Energy Saving Trust has more great tips to save energy and money if you rent your home.

Take control of your energy bills

If you pay your own energy bills, there are a few things you can do to help you save. For example, you don’t need permission from your landlord to get a smart meter installed. When you can see and understand how you’re using energy, you’re better able to manage it. Read our guide to saving money and energy with smart meters to find out more. 

Find the best tariff for you

Making sure you’re on the best tariff can make your energy bills cheaper. There are many different types of tariff and it can be confusing to know which is the right one for you. This guide to tariffs and how to switch energy supplier can help you understand your options and which tariff might be the best value.

We've also put together some helpful info about changes to the energy price cap, which sets the maximum amount that suppliers can charge for each unit of gas and electricity. 

Know what to look out for before you sign a lease

Always ask for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before you move into a property. This will give you a good idea of your home’s energy efficiency and what kind of energy bills you should expect. Also, check what temperature controls are in place and always know your rights when it comes to insulation and heating. 

Read Energy Saving Trust’s guide on thinking about energy efficiency when renting a home and what to consider if you’re planning to move.

Prevent heat loss where you can

It’s usually the landlord that’s responsible for insulation, boilers and windows, but there are a few things you can do yourself to improve your home’s energy efficiency rating and reduce heat loss. For example, draught-proofing windows and doors can save you around £40 per year in energy costs. Heavy curtains and sealed blinds are also useful if you don’t have double glazing. Find out more about how to improve your home’s EPC rating. 

You might be eligible for funding to help reduce your bills

Use our funding finder to look for grants, discounts and funding schemes in your area that could help you manage your energy bills.

Remember – the Home Energy Scotland service isn’t just for homeowners. Contact us for free, impartial advice on how to save energy and keep warm at home today.

Home Energy Scotland is here to meet all your energy saving needs with our newly launched redeveloped website. 

The world is always changing, and so are we. Our website is now more accessible to a wider range of users across a wide range of devices, such as mobile and tablets. 

As demand for support increases in line with the energy and cost of living crises, so does the need for Home Energy Scotland to deliver effective and accessible services, particularly to priority groups. 

We spent time researching what householders in Scotland want to ensure our website provides the best service possible and helps you to get support across a range of areas in the fastest way possible. 

This includes:

• saving energy and money, and keeping warm at home 
• finding funding options including grants and interest free loans 
• advice on installing low carbon technologies at home 
• advice on greener travel including electric vehicles and ebikes 
• advice on cutting water waste. 

Check out our tools like the funding finder to discover what financial support you may be entitled to. Our home energy check is also a simple and effective way to get home improvement tips that can help you improve the energy efficiency of your home and save money.

We hope you like our new-look website!