Nobody likes the feeling of receiving a bill at the best of times, let alone being faced with a surprisingly high water bill, leaving you questioning ‘why is my wate bill so high?’ If you suspect that your water bill is too high, it can be an alarming prospect that leaves you questioning your household usage, wondering what was so different over the past month. In some cases, a high bill is a key indicator of an undetected leak which may require professional leak detection to identify the problem. Before you start to panic about the prospect of a deeper issue, we’ve pulled together some of the potential causes for a high water bill.
Sometimes it can be easy to overlook how much water our household appliances use up, especially when we can’t see it. If you have had any new additions to your home or have upgraded your appliances to a new model, could this be the reason that your water bill is too high? Whether it’s the addition of a new en-suite bathroom, a new dishwasher or an upgrade to a power shower, these can all use a high volume of water on a day to day basis. It is also worth checking if all of your appliances are working as they should, ruling out the potential of any leaks from faults which could cause water loss.
As the weather begins to change, so does our lifestyle. Especially in the warmer months, we naturally use a higher volume of water and this can really show when we receive our monthly bills. If you feel your water bill is too high, think about what additional extras you have been using and whether you’ve had any extra guests in the house which could increase consumptions. Big uses of water in the summer include paddling pools, garden sprinklers and jet washing, all adding up the amount of water we get through as a household.
If the above reasons do not seem to be enough to justify why your water bill is too high, it could be a sign of a leak from your water supply pipe. A leak is not always immediately visible, with potential for it to be left undetected for some time before action is taken. Look out for the key signs of a water leak such as an unusually low water pressure or pooling outside of your property that doesn’t dry up, as these could explain why your water bill is too high. If this is the case, we strongly advise contacting us as soon as possible so we can undertake leak detection. One of our experienced team members will attend your property to identify the source of the problem and recommend the best approach, undergoing repairs or replacement should they be required. If you’d like to speak to us, do not hesitate to get in touch today for more information.
In some cases, you may actually be using more water than you think. Whether you have recently undergone home improvements that require increased water, have expanded your household to more guests or are filling up a swimming pool or hot tub during the summer, these are all factors that directly contribute to why your water bill went up.
If you have a high water bill no visible leak, it’s worth considering common issues with water heaters that can cause a sudden increase in your water bill. This can include the build-up of limescale or a leaking heater which may help your answer why has my water bill gone up. If this is the case you may want to consider professional moling services to carry out the necessary supply water works to ensure you’re not overpaying your water bill.
Alternatively, another reason why are my water bills so high may be a result of your water meter. Inaccurate measurements may result in increased water bills, meaning that you’re paying for water you haven’t used. With that in mind, it’s important to consider high water bill no visible leak isn’t at the forefront of your increased costs. Once you’ve confirmed there are no leaks in your home, you can then contact your water company to assess your meters accuracy.
If you think your water bill is too high, the first course of action is to ensure there are no leaks in your home. If your water bill went up but there are no signs of a leak, review recent changes to your home such as if you have a new resident, you can contact your water company directly to discuss your concerns.
The toilet, shower, washing machine, bath and dishwasher are considered the home appliances that use the most water. Whilst it’s no possible to minimise all use, you can monitor it through reducing the number of times you activate your washing machine and dishwasher per week or select a more economical setting to reduce water consumption, for example.
Whilst the average water bill per month in the UK will vary by household, Britain’s spend approximately £39 per month on their water bill, which equates to approximately £470 per year.
Whilst it’s possible to be overcharged for water, if you suspect you’ve been overcharged and it has been confirmed, it’s possible to claim a water bill rebate or refund for overcharges on your water bill for up to six years. If you do find a leak, depending on the severity, you may benefit from a water pipe replacement.
