The call came from Waterwise and the Energy Saving Trust, as they published guidance on delivering water efficiency in the UK.
On average households spend 23 per cent of their domestic heating bills on water use, which is about 13 per cent of a home’s total energy bill, according to joint research by the NGOs.
That equates to about £160 per year on the average energy bill per year, which the partnership said showed water efficiency should be considered at the heart of energy saving programmes.
Nicci Russell, policy director at Waterwise said: “Water efficiency reduces household bills, carbon emissions and water use. Our guidance sets out simple measures and advice which can be included in energy efficiency programmes at low cost. We recommend that Green Deal providers, local authorities and housing associations work with water companies to include water efficiency as a key part of the energy efficiency services they offer to households. Including water savings in Green Deal and ECO schemes will result in higher savings and more attractive offer.”