British Gas announced it will offer Thames Water’s customers free loft and cavity wall insulation, which can save them significant money on their annual energy bills. While British Gas workers install insulation in the homes of Thames Water customers, they will also offer to provide water-saving devices to help people use less water and save even more money. Through their collaboration, the two utilities can help one another reach their stated business goals: Thames Water wants to promote conservation after nearly two years of below-average rainfall and British Gas wants to promote energy efficiency products.

Nina Bhatia, Managing Director of Electrical and Dyno Services at British Gas, says, “We know that household budgets are stretched at the moment which is why energy efficiency can make such a vital difference. Loft insulation and cavity wall insulation can save hundreds of pounds each year off household energy bills. And we are installing it in homes for free. This is just a first step in this partnership and we are excited about offering a range of energy and water saving products to customers in London and the Thames Valley.”

British Gas will also check to see if Thames Water customers could save money by making British Gas their power supplier.

Thames Water Commercial Director, Piers Clark, explains, “About a third of all the energy we use in our homes goes on heating water, so if we save water we save money off two utility bills, not to mention burning less carbon. It is this crucial overlap between energy and water efficiency that the partnership will help address. Having had below-average rainfall for 16 of the past 21 months and with the prospect of a drought later this year, saving water is a must right now.”

David Bland of the Consumer Council for Water adds: “It is refreshing to see two big utilities working together to benefit their customers and the environment. The link between energy and water is one that we all need to be mindful of, particularly with water in short supply in the Southeast this year and with energy prices not set to go downwards over the long term. For instance, often water in homes is heated up only to cool down then be re-heated again - a problem that can be addressed simply enough with a combination boiler.”

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