The actions and tips below can help you save money by giving you more control over heat and energy in your home. While some of these may be familiar to you already, the information below highlights a range of different actions that may be applicable to you and provides important details about how to carry these out in a safe and comfortable manner.
There are four types of actions you can take:
- ‘Set it and forget it’ actions – these are one-off, quick fix actions that you can take to immediately reduce the amount of energy you use. These actions typically require no cost.
- Everyday small actions – these low effort actions propose changes to how we use appliances in our home on a regular basis, but typically require no cost.
- Basic home improvements – these actions outline small improvements to help make your home more energy efficient. They typically require spending between £10 – 150, but once installed are a good way of reducing bills.
- Larger home improvements – these actions suggest bigger changes to your home. These actions typically require more upfront cost but will reduce energy consumption for many years ahead.Some households (including private renters, social housing tenants and home owners) are eligible for a range of energy grants that cover some of the upfront costs. Check if you are eligible for grants on home insulation or boiler replacement.
Find the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of your home. Your property should have an EPC, whether you own or rent it. It is the energy “passport” of your home, showing what energy efficiency measures you already have and what can be improved. The EPC provides useful information about your property type (e.g., whether your walls have insulation and where your home could be improved).
Every home is unique and energy usage, and bills, are dependent on the type of home you live in, the appliances and systems you have and how you use them.
‘Set it and forget it’
Why is it useful? Reducing your boiler flow temperature can improve the efficiency of your boiler and reduce the amount of fuel it uses.
How does it work? If you have a combi boiler, you can control the temperature of hot water supplied to your radiators. Boilers burn natural gas and heat water before sending it to radiators. However, the ‘default’ setting is usually around 80°C, which reduces the efficiency of your boiler. A higher temperature setting for boilers is similar to a higher speed for cars: arriving at the destination quicker but using more fuel. Using a lower temperature setting is not the same as reducing the temperature on your thermostat and won’t noticeably reduce the temperature in your home. It means the boiler is more efficient but will warm your rooms more slowly.
What can I do? Find the ‘flow temperature’ dial or setting on your combi boiler and adjust it to a lower temperature. You can use the Money Saving Boiler Challengeto find out if you have a suitable boiler and for simple, step-by-step instructions on making the appropriate change.
What should I consider? People over 65, or with pre-existing health conditions, may want to set a flow temperature of 60°C or higher to ensure homes warm up quickly enough.
Why is it useful? Tap water can often reach an unnecessarily high temperature.
What can I do? If you have a heating system with a separate hot water cylinder, you can turn down the temperature thermostat on the cylinder to 60°C so that water is not heated needlessly.
What should I consider? The temperature on your cylinder thermostat should not be reduced below 60°C, as legionella bacteria, that can cause Legionnaire's disease, can survive and grow in water stored below this temperature
Why is it useful? If you have a thermostat control in your home, reducing the temperature can reduce the overall energy used for heating your home. You can identify which control you have and find out more information about other types of heating controls in the link below.
What can I do? Reduce your thermostat control to 18-21°C. Find out how to change settings on your thermostat.
What should I consider? The UK Health Security Agency recommends a minimum indoor temperature of 18°C to ensure you protect your health and wellbeing whilst maintaining comfort. However, some individuals are particularly vulnerable to cold temperatures. People with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), babies and children under age of five, people aged over 65, people with mental health conditions or disabilities, pregnant women and people on low incomes, are vulnerable to health problems linked to cold homes so do make sure you are warm enough.
Everyday small actions
Why is it useful? Turning down the setting on your radiator can save you money by reducing the volume of hot water and using less energy.
How does it work? Most radiators are fitted with thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) that control the temperature of a room by changing the flow of hot water. These valves are usually marked with a scale from 0-6, where zero (0) is ‘off’ and six (6) is fully ‘on’ or ‘highest temperature’ effectively.
What can I do? Set your TRV at the lowest setting that keeps the room to your desired temperature. Watch this helpful Energy Saving Trust video to find out how to change your room thermostat and TRVs.
Why is it useful? Reducing the temperature and number of washes can help you save money. Changing from 40°C to 30°C means you could get three cycles instead of two using the same amount of energy depending on your washing machine.
How does it work? Modern washing machines can clean clothes effectively at lower temperatures.
What can I do? Set your washing machine to a 30°C cycle instead of higher temperatures. Fill the appliance fully each time to reduce the number of washes.
Why is it useful? Reducing tumble dryer use can reduce your overall energy use.
How does it work? Tumble dryers are one of the most energy intensive devices in the home.
What can I do? Use your tumble dryer less frequently by ensuring you have a full load or by using a clothes airer to dry clothes outside.
Why is it useful? Turning off appliances can prevent them from quietly draining electricity in the background.
How does it work? Almost all electrical appliances in your home, such as computers, televisions, smart devices and video game consoles, draw power continuously unless unplugged.
What can I do? Turn off the power switch on the socket/wall or unplug appliances from the socket when they are not in use. Turning devices to “energy-saving” or “eco” mode is another way to reduce energy consumption.
Why is it useful? Closing curtains/blinds may reduce warm air escaping through the windows at night. Doing so may reduce your heating costs.
How does it work? Curtains or blinds can help restrict warm air escaping through windows. If your radiator is below the window, closing the curtains can help keep warm air (from the radiator) stay inside for longer and therefore reduce heating costs.
What can I do? Remember to close curtains/blinds at night.
Basic home improvements
Why is it useful? Changing to energy efficient light bulbs can reduce energy costs without affecting the light you use at home.
How does it work? The amount of light, or colour of the light (white to yellow) that light bulbs emit is not linked to its energy usage. So, you can get the exact same colour or amount of light in your room at a much lower energy cost.
What should I do? Find out what kind of bulbs you currently have and how to upgrade.
Why is it useful? Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective actions you can take to stop heat escaping and reduce your energy bills.
How does it work? It can block unwanted gaps around windows, doors and the floor that let the cold air in and warm air out. This way you will use less energy to heat your home.
What can I do? Visit The Energy Saving Trust webpage for advice on how to draught proof your property.
Why is it useful? If you have single glazing on your windows, adding secondary glazing (transparent materials such as plastic film) can reduce heat escaping through glazing.
How does it work? This measure temporarily mimics the effect of having secondary glazing.
What can I do? Visit Centre for Sustainable Energy for guidance on how to add secondary glazing.
What should I consider? It is important to ensure all rooms still have good ventilation. To balance air quality and energy, you could cover non-openable windows or just cover window panes, which would still allow windows to be opened.
Why is it useful? If you have a hot water tank, sometimes called a hot water cylinder, insulation can improve how efficient it is and make it cheaper to use.
How does it work? The insulation reduces the amount of heat it loses. Installing insulation on the hot water tank is like wrapping it up in a winter jacket. It keeps water hot for longer periods of time and it reduces energy used for heating it. This is why the insulation for hot water tanks is often called a “cylinder jacket”.
What can I do? Check if you have a hot water tank by using the Money Saving Boiler Challenge. If you have one, consider investing in a hot water cylinder jacket, available in most hardware stores and online. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing the jacket.
Why is it useful? Smart thermostats and heating controls offer greater flexibility and control over your energy use.
How does it work? It allows you to set your heating and hot water to come on only when required whereas standard controls often require you to adjust them manually (like radiator TRVs). Some smart thermostats can adjust energy use depending on weather conditions.
What can I do? Visit The Energy Saving Trust webpage for guidance on smart heating controls.
Why is it useful? A smart meter means you can see exactly how much energy you are using, and gives you greater control over your energy use.
How does it work? Smart meters track your energy consumption so you can see exactly how much you are spending on energy, helping you to reduce your usage. If you have a smart meter you can also sign up to some special tariffs which may save you money on things like electric vehicles.
What can I do? Contact your energy supplier, who will arrange to install a meter free of charge. You can visit Smart Energy GB for more information.
