Practical ways to reduce energy bills. Savings tips, grants available, help if you can't pay, and how to switch to cheaper deals.
·4 min read
Energy bills have hit many households hard. Here’s what you can actually do about it.
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
Contact Your Supplier
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
☐
Key Contacts
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.