YouGov has conducted a representative, GROHE-initiated survey analyzing showering habits, water usage, and resource-saving bathroom fittings in nine countries: Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland, Austria, France, Spain, Egypt, and the Netherlands. The survey period was from 16 September through 19 September, 2022.
The survey found that many have opted for colder, shorter, or fewer showers amid the current energy crisis in many parts of Europe and beyond. Additionally, the results show that many have already installed water-, energy-, and cost-saving bathroom fittings or are planning to do so. Although the data shows more mindful water usage is happening, it also paints a picture of massive unused resource-saving potential in numerous countries.
Netherlands, Spain, and Germany Drive Water- and Energy-Savings Change
The results show that a majority of people in Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands already save water and energy when showering. However, this majority is only really solid in one of these three countries: Two-thirds of respondents in the Netherlands (67 percent), as well as 51 percent in Germany and 52 percent in Spain said they have changed their showering behavior due to the energy and water crisis. Compared to these drivers of water- and energy-savings change, six of the nine countries surveyed fall behind in terms of showering colder, shorter or less often: France (45 percent), Egypt (44 percent) Switzerland (41 percent), United Kingdom (38 percent), Austria (37 percent), and the United States (35 percent).
Austrians, Americans, and Britons Not Keen on Changing Showering Habits
Unfortunately, not all respondents are willing to change their showering habits in the future: A striking 44 percent of British respondents do not plan to shower shorter, colder, or less often, closely followed by the United States with 42 percent and Austria with 40 percent responding the same way. Although continental Europeans are pushing for sustainable water usage, there are still people who do not want to change their showering routine: 27 percent in Spain and 29 percent in both Germany and France.
Egypt Has the Most Water- and Energy-Saving Fittings Installed
A record-high of 35 percent of Egypt-based respondents already have water- and energy-saving products installed in their bathrooms. Austria (33 percent) and Germany (33 percent) come in second, while Germans seem to have the lowest rates of aversion (17 percent) to changing bathroom fittings to water-, energy-, and cost-saving solutions compared to all countries analyzed. While France and Switzerland follow closely with 30 percent of respondents already having installed water- and energy-saving products, only 25 percent in the United States and Spain have opted for more sustainable solutions. While these numbers seem solid, there are also huge international differences, for example, when one looks at the United Kingdom where only 8 percent have installed more sustainable fittings and only 4 percent are planning to make changes to their bathroom fittings at all.
Source: GROHE
