100 energy-saving tips for UK homes

Start with heating, it is the big one

Heating and hot water are more than half of a typical energy bill, so this is where the real savings live. Turning your thermostat down by one degree can trim heating costs noticeably over a winter, and most people never feel the difference.

• Set heating to come on only when you are home, using a timer or smart thermostat.
• Bleed radiators so they heat evenly, and keep furniture from blocking them.
• Lower the hot water cylinder thermostat to around 60°C.
• Fix draughts around doors, windows and the letterbox with cheap draught excluders.

Quick wins that cost nothing

• Wash clothes at 30°C and run full loads.
• Air-dry laundry instead of using the tumble dryer where you can.
• Only boil the water you need in the kettle.
• Switch appliances off standby at the plug.
• Use the dishwasher and washing machine eco settings.

Worth a small spend

• Swap remaining halogen bulbs for LEDs, which use a fraction of the power.
• Fit a smart thermostat so you heat rooms only when needed.
• Add radiator reflector panels on external walls.
• Use a hot water tank jacket if your cylinder is uninsulated.

Bigger projects for long-term saving

Loft and cavity wall insulation, double glazing and a modern condensing boiler cut usage for years. They cost more upfront but pay back through lower bills, and some households qualify for grants. If your boiler is more than a decade old, a replacement often pays for itself in efficiency.

Measure, then act

A smart meter and its in-home display show exactly what is costing you money, which makes it easy to see whether a change is working. Pair lower usage with a better tariff for the biggest effect. Once your habits are tight, compare energy deals so you are not paying over the odds per unit, and try our energy savings calculator to estimate your own numbers.

The bottom line

The cheapest unit of energy is the one you do not use. Start with heating, stack up the free habits, and treat insulation as an investment. Then make sure your tariff is competitive so every saved unit is also a cheap one.