The Hidden Cost of the Everyday Water Heater
Every British household uses its electric water heater daily, whether it’s in the kitchen for dishes or the bathroom for a hot shower. But here’s something you might not know: this humble appliance can account for up to 20% of your annual electricity bill, and on average, it’s around 11%, according to France’s ADEME energy authority. The bigger the tank, the more energy you burn—simple maths, but a scary one for your wallet. The good news? You can take a few smart steps and see that bill start to shrink.
How Simple Habits Lead to Big Savings
ADEME points out that
« with simple daily habits and smart reflexes, you can save up to a third of the electricity used by an electric water heater. »
It starts with the basics: switch it off when you’re away for several days. But here’s the interesting bit—you can actually make this a daily habit, too, especially around lunchtime.
Putting the Theory to the Test: Impressive Results
Back in 2022, French utility company Enedis ran a large-scale test. Thierry Sudret, their former head of operations and systems, explained that a single day of this experiment saved 2.4 gigawatt-hours of electricity—the equivalent of what 2.4 million people would use.
« It’s a huge success, »
he said.
To put that into perspective, with an electricity price of €0.1952 per kWh in September 2025 (which is roughly £0.17 at current rates), that’s around €468,480 (about £400,000) in savings in just two hours. Doing this every day would mean spectacular savings on your annual bill—enough for a few extra holidays, perhaps?
Practical Concerns and Reassurances
Some households were understandably worried during the experiment. What if the water ran cold? Thierry Sudret quickly put their minds at rest:
« The only difference is that the water heater isn’t switched on between noon and 2pm. People will still have hot water—it’s just that the tank doesn’t reheat during that time. Instead, it reheats at night. »
And if—that’s a big if—you ever completely use up your hot water reserve, most systems have a « boost » or « forced heating » mode so you can immediately heat more water.
Ultimately, as Sudret summed it up:
« This system is practically painless for users and highly effective, as we saved 2.4 gigawatts—that’s significant, and we didn’t receive complaints. »
Which becomes an even stronger argument as winter approaches and every penny matters.
So, the next time you’re about to head out for lunch, remember: turning off your water heater could keep both the planet and your bank account a bit warmer. Not a bad swap, right?
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
