Here's why taking a shower in the morning is better for your energy bills

A poll of 2,000 adults found early washes are more popular, with 57% of those with a preference, favouring the morning. In contrast, just 32% prefer an evening shower, while one in 10 favour an afternoon clean.

A morning shower was among the top three things that help people prepare for the day, along with a cup of coffee and a nutritious breakfast. The survey also revealed that 28% consider a morning shower essential to their routine, while 17% say the same about an evening shower.

One in 10 respondents admitted they would be unlikely to shower if they couldn't do so at their preferred time. People rarely deviate from their routine, except for special occasions, travel plans, or oversleeping.

The study, conducted by Utilita Energy as part of its , aimed to understand people's showering habits. According to a Utilita spokesperson, "Heating up water to shower consumes a lot of energy, so we were interested to better understand people's behaviours."

The main reasons Brits prefer morning showers include feeling clean and refreshed (70%), helping them wake up (50%), and boosting their energy for the day ahead (45%).

The primary reasons for choosing an evening shower relate to its calming effects, with four in 10 using this time to relax and de-stress before bedtime. Furthermore, 51% believe that showering before bed aids in a more restful sleep, according to data from OnePoll.com.

Another factor influencing the preference for night-time showers is the extra time saved in the morning. These night owls use this additional time to either catch some extra sleep (24%) or concentrate on other activities (22%). However, taking showers at night could be resulting in higher energy bills.

The research showed that morning showers are generally quicker and less relaxing, with individuals spending an average of two more minutes under the water in the evening compared to the morning, which could be contributing to increased energy costs.

A spokesperson for Utilita remarked: "The cost of running a shower for eight minutes is around 32p on average - or £116 a year." Therefore, reducing shower time in the morning could help slightly lower these costs.

They further stated: "The Power Price List is designed to reveal how tweaking habits can provide sizeable savings for households."