21 ways to reduce your energy bills

1. Switch tariff — check your supplier's other deals or use a comparison site. Many people are on default tariffs paying more than they need to. 2. Turn your thermostat down by 1°C — this alone can save around £80-£100 per year, and most people won't notice the difference. 3. Only boil the water you need — filling the kettle for one cup instead of four saves energy every single time. 4. Turn off standby — appliances on standby cost the average UK household £50-£60 per year. Use plug strips with switches to make this easy. 5. Switch to LED bulbs — they use 75% less energy than old incandescent bulbs and last years longer. 6. Wash clothes at 30°C — modern detergents work perfectly well at lower temperatures, and heating water is where washing machines use most energy. 7. Close curtains at dusk — thick curtains act as insulation, keeping heat in during winter evenings.

8. Bleed your radiators — air trapped in radiators stops them heating properly, meaning your boiler works harder. Bleeding them takes minutes with a radiator key. 9. Use a programmable thermostat or smart thermostat — heating an empty house is wasted money. Set your heating to come on 30 minutes before you get home, not all day. 10. Draught-proof doors and windows — self-adhesive draught strips cost a few pounds and can save £25-£50 per year by stopping warm air escaping. 11. Use thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) — turn down radiators in rooms you don't use. There's no point heating the spare bedroom to 21°C. 12. Don't block radiators — furniture in front of radiators absorbs heat that should be warming the room. Pull sofas and curtains clear.

13. Insulate your loft — if your loft insulation is less than 270mm deep, topping it up is one of the best investments you can make. It can save £150-£250 per year and often qualifies for government grants. 14. Cavity wall insulation — if your home has unfilled cavity walls, insulation can save £100-£300 per year. Check whether any free insulation funding is available in your area: the ECO4 supplier scheme ends on 31 December 2026, and the government's Warm Homes Plan is due to take over grant support. 15. Insulate your hot water cylinder — a British Standard jacket costs under £20 and saves around £30-£50 per year. Pays for itself in months. 16. Double or secondary glazing — if you still have single glazing, upgrading makes a significant difference to heat retention and comfort. Secondary glazing is a cheaper alternative that you can fit yourself.

17. Run the dishwasher and washing machine on eco modes — these cycles use less water and lower temperatures, saving both energy and water bills. 18. Air dry clothes when possible — tumble dryers are among the most energy-hungry appliances. A clothes airer or outdoor line costs nothing to run. 19. Match pan size to hob ring — using a small pan on a large ring wastes energy. Use lids on pans to reduce cooking time by up to 30%. 20. Use a microwave or air fryer for small meals — they're much more efficient than heating a full oven for one portion. 21. Check your energy usage with a smart meter — the in-home display shows real-time costs, which naturally makes you more mindful about usage. If you don't have one, you can request a free smart meter from your supplier.

Don't overlook government support: the Warm Home Discount gives eligible low-income households £150 off their electricity bill each winter (usually applied automatically in England and Wales). The ECO4 scheme funds insulation and heating improvements for qualifying homes until 31 December 2026. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales offers a grant of £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump. Winter Fuel Payments help older people with heating costs. Check the government's Simple Energy Advice website or call the helpline to find out what you're eligible for — many people miss out simply because they don't apply.

You don't need to do all 21 things at once. Start with the free quick wins — switching tariff, turning down the thermostat, and killing standby — and you could save £200+ per year without spending a penny. Then work through the bigger changes as budget allows. Every pound you save on energy is a pound you can put towards your savings goals.