How to lower your energy bills in the UK: 20 practical tips

The fastest savings come from changing how you use energy without spending anything.

• Turn your thermostat down by 1°C. For many homes this is one of the biggest single habit savings.
• Fit a hot water cylinder jacket if your cylinder is poorly insulated: it is cheap and quick.
• Switch any remaining old bulbs to LEDs, which use far less electricity and last much longer.
• Run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads and use 30°C or eco settings.
• Dry clothes on an airer rather than in a tumble dryer, which is one of the most power-hungry appliances in the home.
• Switch devices off at the wall instead of leaving them on standby.

Many households are on a standard variable tariff, where prices are limited by the Ofgem price cap. Fixed deals at or below the cap come and go. Use comparison sites (Uswitch, MoneySuperMarket, Energyguide) to check if any fixed tariffs below the current price cap are available. Fixed tariffs offer certainty, useful if you expect the cap to rise. If you use energy heavily in the evening, an Economy 7 or time-of-use tariff (if you have a smart meter) can shift costs to cheaper overnight rates. EV owners with smart chargers should particularly investigate time-of-use tariffs, some offer overnight rates far below the capped standard rate of about 26p/kWh at the time of writing (October 2026).

Loft insulation is one of the most cost-effective improvements for many UK homes, and cavity wall insulation can also make a big difference if your walls are suitable. Both may be funded for eligible households: the Great British Insulation Scheme closed in March 2026 and ECO4 ends on 31 December 2026, with most suppliers no longer taking new applications, so ask your council about the Warm Homes: Local Grant.

If you have an old, inefficient boiler, replacing it with a modern condensing boiler can cut your gas use noticeably, but it is a big outlay, so check your council's grant schemes before paying in full. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers up to £7,500 if you switch to a heat pump. Draught proofing around doors, windows and floorboards is a cheap DIY job.

Several UK support schemes can reduce energy costs or fund improvements. The Warm Home Discount (£150/year) is automatically applied to eligible low-income household energy bills. The Winter Fuel Payment (£200, or £300 if someone is 80 or over) goes to households with someone of State Pension age; since winter 2025/26 it is paid automatically again, but HMRC claws it back if your taxable income is over £35,000. In England and Wales, the Cold Weather Payment (£25 per eligible week of very cold weather) is available for those on certain means-tested benefits; Scotland has a Winter Heating Payment instead. The Priority Services Register, sign up with your energy supplier if you have a medical need, disability, or are over 60, gives you additional protections and sometimes prioritised help. Local crisis support: in England the Crisis and Resilience Fund replaced the Household Support Fund in April 2026, so check your council's website for help with energy or food costs.