Energy Bills and Switching Suppliers UK 2026 — Complete GuideEnergy Bills Too High — What to Do UK
Practical ways to reduce energy bills. Savings tips, grants available, help if you can't pay, and how to switch to cheaper deals.
Energy bills have hit many households hard. Here’s what you can actually do about it.
Read more: See our Cost Of Living guide for a complete overview of this topic.
Quick Wins
Heating (Biggest Savings)
| Action | Annual Saving |
|---|
| Turn thermostat down 1°C | £80-£100 |
| Heat only rooms you use | £100-£300 |
| Lower temperature at night | £50-£80 |
| Use timer effectively | £75-£100 |
| Bleeding radiators | Improves efficiency |
| Don’t heat empty house | Variable |
Hot Water
| Action | Annual Saving |
|---|
| Shorter showers (1 min less) | £70-£100 |
| Shower vs bath | £30-£50 |
| Fix dripping hot taps | £20-£40 |
| Cylinder jacket (if tank) | £40-£70 |
| Turn down cylinder temp (60°C max) | £20-£40 |
Appliances
| Action | Annual Saving |
|---|
| Turn off standby | £50-£100 |
| Wash at 30° | £30-£40 |
| Full loads only | £30-£50 |
| Air dry clothes | £50-£100 |
| LED bulbs | £40-£60 |
| Don’t overfill kettle | £10-£20 |
Total Quick Wins
| Combined | Annual Saving |
|---|
| All behavioural changes | £300-£500+ |
| No cost | These are free |
Medium-Term Improvements
Draught-Proofing
| Area | Cost | Annual Saving |
|---|
| Doors | £10-£50 | £25-£50 |
| Windows | £10-£30 | £25-£50 |
| Letterbox | £5-£20 | £10-£20 |
| Chimney balloon | £20-£30 | £30-£50 |
| Floors | Varies | £25-£50 |
Heating Controls
| Upgrade | Cost | Annual Saving |
|---|
| Smart thermostat | £100-£250 | £75-£150 |
| TRVs (radiator valves) | £15-£30 each | £50-£75 |
| Programmer if none | £50-£100 | £100+ |
Insulation
| Type | Cost | Annual Saving |
|---|
| Loft insulation (DIY) | £200-£400 | £150-£250 |
| Cavity wall insulation | £400-£800 | £150-£300 |
| Solid wall insulation | £8,000-£22,000 | £200-£400 |
| Floor insulation | £800-£1,500 | £50-£100 |
Get a Better Deal
Compare and Switch
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Find annual usage (bill or online account) |
| 2 | Compare on comparison sites |
| 3 | Check if fix saves vs SVR |
| 4 | Switch (takes ~21 days) |
Comparison Sites
| Site | Note |
|---|
| Uswitch | Wide range |
| Compare the Market | Includes cashback |
| Money Supermarket | Good interface |
| Energy Helpline | Phone option |
Fixed vs Variable
| Fixed | Variable |
|---|
| Same rate for term | Can change |
| Predictable | May go up or down |
| Exit fees usually | No exit fees |
| Good when prices rising | Good when prices falling |
Typical Savings (if on SVR)
| Situation | Potential Saving |
|---|
| Never switched | £100-£300/year |
| Fixed deal ended | £100-£200/year |
| Already on deal | May be minimal |
Help Available
Warm Home Discount
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Amount | £150 off electricity bill |
| Automatic | If on Pension Credit |
| Apply | Others may need to apply |
| When | Winter period |
| Income threshold | Varies by supplier |
Winter Fuel Payment
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Who | State Pension age |
| Amount | £200-£300 |
| Automatic | If getting State Pension |
| When | November-December |
Cold Weather Payment
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Trigger | Average 0°C for 7 days |
| Amount | £25 per cold snap |
| Automatic | If on certain benefits |
| Benefits | Pension Credit, Income Support, UC (some) |
ECO4 Scheme
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| What | Free home insulation |
| For | Low income, benefits |
| Includes | Loft, cavity, heating |
| Worth | Up to £10,000+ |
| Apply | Through supplier or council |
Priority Services Register
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| What | Extra support |
| For | Elderly, disabled, chronic ill |
| Benefits | No disconnection, meter moves, advance notice |
| How | Tell your supplier |
Can’t Pay? Your Options
| They Must | Details |
|---|
| Offer payment plan | Based on affordability |
| Review debt repayments | If struggling |
| Not disconnect | In winter if vulnerable |
| Inform of support | Hardship funds, grants |
Payment Options
| Option | Details |
|---|
| Weekly payments | More manageable |
| Lower amount | Why you can’t pay more |
| Fuel Direct | Deductions from benefits |
| Payment card | Pay when you can |
Supplier Hardship Funds
| Supplier | Fund Name |
|---|
| Most suppliers | Have hardship funds |
| Usually | Clear debt, one-off payment |
| Apply | Direct to supplier |
| Worth | £500-£2,000 typically |
Other Help
| Source | Help |
|---|
| British Gas Energy Trust | Grants (all suppliers) |
| Turn2us | Grant finder |
| Local council | Welfare assistance |
| Citizens Advice | Debt advice |
Prepayment Meters
| Know | Details |
|---|
| Debt recovery | Capped amount per week |
| Self-disconnection | Supplier should help |
| Emergency credit | Usually available |
| Switch back | Can ask if debt paid |
Getting Accurate Bills
Check Meter Readings
| Issue | Solution |
|---|
| Estimated bills | Submit actual readings |
| Very high | Check no leaks (gas) |
| Suspicious | Request meter test |
| Prepay | Check rates correct |
Submit Readings
| When | Why |
|---|
| Monthly | Avoid surprises |
| Before switching | Accurate final bill |
| If estimated | Get actual |
Smart Meters
| Benefit | Details |
|---|
| Automatic readings | No estimates |
| Real-time usage | See what costs money |
| Free | Suppliers install free |
| Request | Via your supplier |
Summary: Energy Bill Action Plan
This Week
| Action | Done |
|---|
| Submit meter reading | ☐ |
| Check if on SVR | ☐ |
| Compare deals | ☐ |
| Turn thermostat down 1° | ☐ |
| Identify standby devices | ☐ |
This Month
| Action | Done |
|---|
| Switch supplier if saving | ☐ |
| Check benefit eligibility | ☐ |
| Apply for Warm Home Discount | ☐ |
| Basic draught-proofing | ☐ |
| Request smart meter | ☐ |
Check Eligibility
| Scheme | Eligible? |
|---|
| Warm Home Discount | ☐ |
| Winter Fuel Payment | ☐ |
| Cold Weather Payment | ☐ |
| ECO4 insulation | ☐ |
| Supplier hardship fund | ☐ |
If Can’t Pay
| Action | Done |
|---|
| Call supplier immediately | ☐ |
| Explain circumstances | ☐ |
| Ask for payment plan | ☐ |
| Ask about hardship fund | ☐ |
| Check benefit entitlements | ☐ |
| Service | Contact |
|---|
| Your supplier | On bill |
| Citizens Advice | citizensadvice.org.uk |
| Home Energy Scotland | 0808 808 2282 |
| Simple Energy Advice | simpleenergyadvice.org.uk |
You have control over more than you think. Small changes add up. Help is available. And suppliers must work with you if you’re struggling — the key is to contact them before it becomes a crisis.
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