Energy Saving Tips

A collection of practical ways to cut your energy bills in the UK. Some cost nothing. Some are a bigger investment. All of them are worth knowing about.

Air dry instead of tumble drying - save around £50 a year

Avoid using your tumble dryer where possible and never dry clothes on radiators as it makes your boiler work harder. A drying rack costs next to nothing and a breezy day does the rest.

Draught-proof your home - save around £85 a year

Blocking gaps around windows, doors, letterboxes, and loft hatches stops cold air getting in and warm air escaping. Professional draught-proofing can cost around £250 but DIY draught-proofing strips and door seals cost very little and get you most of the way there.

Control your thermostat properly - save around £90 a year

Set your heating to come on 30 minutes before you need it and switch off 30 minutes early to make use of residual heat. Time it for when you actually need warmth rather than leaving it running constantly. Between 18°C and 21°C is comfortable for most people.

Lower your boiler flow temperature - save around £65 a year

If you have a combi boiler, the flow temperature is likely set too high at around 70 to 80 degrees. Setting it to between 55 and 60 degrees means your home heats just as effectively but your boiler runs more efficiently. Check the Nesta Money-Saving Boiler Challenge for a step-by-step walkthrough.

Insulate your hot water tank - save around £40 a year

If you have a hot water cylinder, fitting an 80mm British Standard insulation jacket stops heat escaping while the water sits waiting to be used. One of the cheapest improvements you can make.

Switch off standby - save around £45 a year

Almost all appliances can be turned off at the plug without affecting their programming. Smart plugs make this automatic. Fridges and freezers need to stay on, but everything else is fair game.

Reduce your shower time - save around £45 a year

Cutting your shower to four minutes saves around £45 a year. A shower timer or a well-chosen song is all you need.

Switch to LED bulbs - save around £45 a year

LED bulbs use around 80% less electricity than halogen bulbs and last 20 times longer. Replacing all the halogen bulbs in your home with LEDs saves around £45 a year.

Wash clothes less and at 30°C - save around £27 a year

Washing at 30°C instead of higher temperatures and cutting one run per week saves around £27 a year. Modern detergents work just as well at lower temperatures.

Change your shower head - save around £25 a year

A water-efficient shower head reduces the amount of water used per shower without affecting pressure. A straightforward swap that pays for itself quickly.

Total potential saving: over £500 a year

These ten tips add up to £517 in potential annual savings, based on November 2025 energy prices. That is before touching your tariff, your boiler replacement, or your roof.

If you want to go further, switching to a smart tariff like Agile Octopus can save significantly more by letting you shift usage to cheaper windows. Use my Octopus referral link and we both get £50 credit when you switch.

Savings figures are taken from Octopus Energy’s energy saving tips page, calculated using November 2025 energy prices and sourced from the Energy Saving Trust and Nesta. Individual savings will vary depending on household size, usage, and property type. Figures are provided for guidance only.