“Do You Charge Less Because You Use My Shower?”

No cats were offended in the making of this banner

It’s a fair question — and one I genuinely don’t mind being asked! When you invite someone into your home, you're trusting them with your space, your routines, and sometimes your beloved pets. So it’s natural to wonder what impact having a house sitter might have on things like water, electricity, and gas use.

You’ll be glad to know I’m very mindful of it, and so I wanted to share how I approach it:

1. 🛁 For Short Stays, The Impact Is Minimal

Water: A standard shower uses about 9–12L per minute. If I take two 5-minute showers a day (and that’s generous), that’s roughly 100–120L — less than a single load of laundry. I also keep laundry to a minimum of 1-2 times a week (unless your dog has made me, the couch and the mats muddy from our recent trip to the park - that’s an extra one :P ) 

Electricity: Even when I’m working from home (more on that below), I keep energy use light. A laptop, occasional kettle boil, and maybe some soft lighting (never leaving lights on unless I’m in the room and using sunlight as much as possible first) — that’s about $1.50–$2.50/day depending on the weather.

Gas: Minimal. I cook simply, and I’m not running the stovetop like a contestant on MasterChef.

Overall, these small, mindful habits add just $1–$2 per day to the average household bill—and for short stays, it’s a tiny fraction of what you’d save on kennels, boarding, or security systems. Plus, you come home to a space that feels lived-in and well-loved.

2. 💻 I Work From Home (But I Keep It Low-Impact)

Yes — I work from home during most sits! That means a little more laptop time, the occasional tea break, and keeping the place comfy while I work — but it doesn’t mean I’m running every appliance in your home.

I’m thoughtful about lights, energy, and water. I switch things off when I leave the room, I don’t leave heaters on full blast all day, and I definitely don’t treat your place like a 24-hour café.

Grey cat sitting on laptop = executive assistant

3. 🧣 Let’s Talk Heating and Cooling (Because I’m Not a Popsicle)

I’m all for sustainability, but I also believe no one should have to live like a Dickensian orphan while caring for someone else’s pets.

I use heating and cooling mindfully and only as needed, both for your animals’ wellbeing and my own. If it’s 3°C and the cat has a hot water bottle, I might need to warm up too — just a little!

That said, I’m always respectful and open to your preferences. If you have guidelines around usage (e.g., fan only unless it’s below X degrees), I’m happy to follow them — just as long as they’re safe, reasonable, and everyone (human and pet) stays comfy.

Feet and coffee in front of the fire - sorry if you have a foot phobia ha! ** these aren't our feet, just stock image

4. I Treat Your Home Like My Own

Whether it’s a weekend or a whole month, I treat your home with real respect. I don’t leave lights or taps running, I keep things clean as I go, and I’ll always check in if something unexpected pops up.

Think of me as the kind of guest you don’t have to worry about — neat, tidy, and never one to leave a mountain of dishes in the sink.

5. Let’s Talk Numbers

Here’s a rough breakdown of what amenity use looks like on an average day:

Amenity	Typical Daily Use	Estimated Cost (AUD)
Water	100–120L (showers, hand washing)	$0.20–$0.30
Electricity	Laptop, lights, heating/cooling*	$1.50–$2.50
Gas	Minimal (light cooking)	<$0.50

*Estimated based on working from home, seasonal usage, and mindful daily habits.

6. 🐾 For Longer Bookings, I’m Flexible

Of course, if I’m staying over 21 days, I’m happy to discuss a custom rate that reflects increased energy use or your specific household rhythm. Fairness and transparency are key to how I work — no awkward surprises, just a good plan for everyone.

A cat and dog sitting side by side contemplating life and pyjama choices

Final Thoughts

To sum up, the notion that I would charge less simply based on using a shower or two is misguided. A house sitter's role goes well beyond comfort; it is rooted in trust, care, and responsibility (for the good ones anyway 😝 ) If you'd also like to know exactly what your dollar buys you when you book with me, please check out the 'What You Actually Get When You Book Sits And Giggles' article here!

Got Questions? Just Ask!

If you ever have concerns about amenities, routines, or costs — I’m always up for a friendly conversation. My goal is to make your time away stress-free, comfy for everyone involved, and fair from start to finish.

Signing off for now,

Hannah 😇