100 Ways to Save Energy at Home UK (Cheap and Free Tips)

Ad: this post contains affiliate links, marked (ad). If you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Last updated: 10 October 2026 · Checked against Ofgem, GOV.UK and the Energy Saving Trust on 10 October 2026. Prices and schemes change, so always check the official page before you apply.

Looking for ways to save energy at home UK families can actually use this winter? Here are 100 of them, from free habits you can start tonight to low-cost fixes and bigger upgrades that grants can help pay for.

I’m a scientist by training (my PhD is in materials chemistry) and a former secondary science teacher, so heat loss and insulation are close to my heart. I’ve grouped the tips by room and by cost, marked the free ones, and only quoted savings figures that the Energy Saving Trust publishes itself.

Before you start, pop your own usage into my Ofgem energy price cap calculator to see what you’re likely to pay this winter. It makes it much easier to see which tips are worth your time.

The energy price cap from October 2026: what you’ll pay

From 1 October to 31 December 2026, Ofgem’s price cap rose by 4%. A typical household paying by Direct Debit for gas and electricity will pay £1,723 a year, which is £60 more than the summer cap of £1,663. Ofgem says this is mainly because of higher wholesale gas prices.

These are the average Direct Debit rates under the cap in England, Scotland and Wales:

	Unit rate	Standing charge
Electricity	26.32p per kWh	54.83p per day
Gas	7.97p per kWh	29.68p per day

One bit of good news: the government has removed VAT from household electricity bills in Great Britain from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, so the electricity rates above have no VAT on them (Northern Ireland isn’t included). Gas still has 5% VAT. Your own rates depend on where you live and how you pay, and the cap limits the price per unit, not your total bill. The more you use, the more you pay, which is exactly why these tips help.

The cap for January to March 2027 hadn’t been announced when I checked. Ofgem usually announces it in late November, and I’ll update this post when it does.

100 ways to save energy at home UK: the full list

All savings figures below are Energy Saving Trust estimates for a typical home in Great Britain, published on its website. Your saving will depend on your home, your heating and how you use it. Where there’s no figure, it’s because no reputable source publishes one, so I haven’t made one up. Tips marked (Free) cost nothing at all.

1. Free energy saving tips you can do today (tips 1 to 16)

Turn your thermostat down by one degree (Free). Energy Saving Trust estimates that turning it from 22°C to 21°C could save around £120 a year. It recommends setting it between 18°C and 21°C, at the lowest temperature you’re comfortable with.
Switch appliances off standby (Free). TVs, games consoles and chargers still use power on standby. Energy Saving Trust estimates you could save around £45 a year by switching off at the wall. (Leave things like your broadband router or fridge on.)
Keep showers to four minutes (Free). Energy Saving Trust estimates this could save £45 a year on your energy bills. A shower timer or one favourite song works well with kids.
Turn lights off when you leave a room (Free). It sounds small, but Energy Saving Trust estimates it saves around £7 a year.
Only boil the water you need (Free). Energy Saving Trust estimates not overfilling the kettle saves £10 a year. Measure with your mug.
Close your curtains at dusk (Free). Drawing curtains as soon as it gets dark helps keep warmth in. Tuck them behind radiators rather than over them, so the heat goes into the room.
Open curtains on sunny days (Free). Winter sun through south-facing windows is free heat, so let it in during the day.
Shut doors between rooms (Free). Keep the heat in the rooms you’re using, and close doors to rooms you aren’t.
Move furniture away from radiators (Free). A sofa in front of a radiator soaks up heat that should be warming you. The Energy Saving Trust also suggests keeping space around radiators.
Swap one bath a week for a shower (Free). Energy Saving Trust estimates swapping one bath a week for a four-minute shower saves £10 a year.
Wear an extra layer (Free). A jumper and warm socks let you keep the thermostat lower without feeling it. Slippers make a real difference on hard floors.
Read your meter (Free). Send regular readings so you’re billed for what you use, not an estimate. Even better, see tip 14.
Check you’re on the right payment method (Free). Under the cap, Direct Debit is usually cheaper than paying on receipt of a bill. Ofgem says prepayment customers currently pay the lowest cap rates.
Ask for a free smart meter (Free). Your supplier fits one at no charge. The in-home display shows your use in pounds and pence, which makes it easy to spot what’s costing you. Some suppliers also offer cheaper electricity at off-peak times if you have one.
Check whether a fixed deal is cheaper (Free). When Ofgem announced the October cap, it said some fixed deals were cheaper than the cap. Compare on a comparison site or with your supplier, check exit fees, and remember a fix can be higher or lower than future caps. I don’t recommend any particular supplier.
Join the Priority Services Register if you qualify (Free). It’s free extra help from your supplier and network operator if you’ve reached state pension age, are pregnant or have young children, have a disability or long-term condition, or have had a recent change like a hospital stay. More on this below.

2. Low-cost energy saving fixes (tips 17 to 28)

Fit draught excluders on doors. A draught excluder at the bottom of an outside door is one of the first things the Energy Saving Trust suggests for renters. Search for door draught excluders (ad).
Seal gaps around windows and doors. Self-adhesive foam or brush strips are cheap and easy to fit. Energy Saving Trust estimates professional draught-proofing of windows and doors saves around £55 a year, and says DIY can cost much less. Don’t block air bricks, trickle vents or extractor fans, as homes still need fresh air.
Block an unused chimney. An open chimney lets warm air escape. Energy Saving Trust estimates a chimney draught excluder could save around £45 a year. An inflatable chimney balloon (ad) is one option. Always remove it before lighting a fire.
Cover the letterbox and keyhole. A letterbox brush and a keyhole cover stop sneaky draughts for very little money.
Fit radiator reflector panels. Panels behind radiators on uninsulated outside walls bounce heat back into the room. Energy Saving Trust estimates around £18 a year. Look for radiator reflector foil (ad).
Fit a tap aerator. This little gadget on the end of your tap mixes air into the water, so you use less hot water without noticing. Energy Saving Trust estimates it could save £20 a year.
Swap old bulbs for LEDs. LEDs use far less electricity than old halogen spotlights and last for years. Energy Saving Trust estimates swapping the rest of your halogen spotlights to LEDs saves around £45 a year. Try LED bulbs (ad) in the lights you use most first.
Insulate hot water pipes. Foam pipe lagging on exposed pipes keeps the heat in. Energy Saving Trust estimates around £6 a year (based on January 2024 prices).
Use a shower timer. A cheap sand timer on the shower wall makes tip 3 easy, especially for teenagers.
Put a rug down on bare floors. Rugs on wooden or tiled floors feel warmer underfoot, so you’re less tempted to turn the heating up.
Fill gaps between floorboards. Flexible filler or strips between boards cut draughts from below in older homes.
Try a smart plug or timer plug. These switch things off at the wall on a schedule, which makes tip 2 automatic. Search for smart plugs (ad).

3. Heating tips: keep warm for less (tips 29 to 44)

Heating is the biggest part of most UK energy bills, so this is where small changes add up fastest.

Set your heating timer around your day (Free). The Energy Saving Trust suggests switching on about half an hour before you get up and off about half an hour before bed. Your home stays warm for a while after the heating goes off.
Only heat the rooms you use (Free). Turn radiators down in empty rooms. Keep them a little warm rather than off if damp is a problem.
Use your radiator valves properly (Free). The Energy Saving Trust suggests setting thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to 3 or 4 in the rooms you use most and 2 or 3 in bedrooms.
Turn down your boiler’s flow temperature (Free). On a combi boiler, lowering the temperature of the water going to your radiators can help it run more efficiently. Some people suggest 60°C, but you may need to try a few settings. If you have a hot water cylinder, the Energy Saving Trust says the conventional boiler’s flow setting should not go below 65°C, so it can heat the cylinder safely. This refers to boiler flow temperature, not a universal cylinder thermostat setting; follow your installer’s guidance.
Bleed your radiators (Free). If a radiator is cold at the top, there’s air trapped inside. Bleeding it with a radiator key lets it heat up fully.
Don’t dry washing on radiators (Free). It stops the heat getting into the room and adds moisture to the air. Use an airer instead.
Keep heat in with thermal curtains. Heavy or lined curtains help in winter, and the Energy Saving Trust suggests them for renters too. Look for thermal curtains (ad), or add a cheap lining to curtains you already have.
Heat yourself, not the whole house. On a cold evening, a hot water bottle or a heated throw (ad) keeps you cosy while the rest of the house stays cooler. Follow the safety instructions and never leave one on while you sleep unless it’s designed for that.
Be careful with plug-in heaters. Electricity costs more per kWh than gas under the current cap, but total heating cost also depends on the area heated and efficiency. Compare actual power and running time before using a portable heater, and follow its safety instructions.
Get your boiler serviced. A yearly service helps keep it running safely and efficiently, and some warranties need it.
Fit a room thermostat, programmer and TRVs. Energy Saving Trust estimates having all three could save around £100 a year. If you already have a programmer and thermostat, it estimates adding TRVs saves about £30 a year.
Think about a smart thermostat. These let you control the heating from your phone and set different times for different days. The Energy Saving Trust says any saving depends on how you control your heating now, so they help most if your current controls are basic or confusing.
Find your draughts (Free). On a windy day, hold a damp hand near window frames, doors, skirting boards and loft hatches. Wherever you feel cold air, that’s your next draught-proofing job.
Insulate your loft hatch. A loft hatch with no insulation or seal lets warm air escape upwards. Foam strips and an insulated board on top help.
Keep the heating on low rather than off in very cold spells if damp is an issue (Free). Very cold homes can get condensation and mould, which is bad for health. Find a balance you can afford.
Use the sun and the oven heat (Free). Once cooking is finished, switch the oven off and let it cool with the door closed. Residual heat will enter the room without creating an exposed hot surface.

4. Hot water tips (tips 45 to 53)

Top up your hot water cylinder jacket. If your tank only has a thin 25mm jacket, the Energy Saving Trust estimates topping it up with an 80mm British Standard jacket could save £45 a year. A jacket costs about £30.
Don’t heat water all day (Free). If you have a tank, set the hot water timer for when you actually need it, like before morning showers.
Keep your cylinder hot enough to be safe (Free). Turning a hot water tank down too far isn’t a safe saving. Keep to your installer’s or boiler manual’s guidance, and see tip 32 for the Energy Saving Trust’s 65°C advice for boilers with a cylinder.
Turn off the immersion heater (Free). If your boiler heats your water, make sure the electric immersion isn’t also on by mistake. It’s an expensive way to heat water.
Fix dripping hot taps. A new tap washer is cheap, and a dripping hot tap wastes heated water around the clock.
Look at an eco shower head. These use less hot water but still feel powerful. Check it suits your shower type (they don’t work with electric showers).
Wash up in a bowl, not under a running tap (Free). Running the hot tap while you rinse uses lots of heated water.
Use cold water for small jobs (Free). Rinsing fruit or wetting a cloth does not usually need heated water. Wash hands properly with soap regardless of water temperature.
Check for a water meter (Free). Not strictly energy, but if you have fewer people than bedrooms, a water meter could cut your water bill. Ask your water company.

5. Kitchen energy saving tips (tips 54 to 67)

Put lids on pans (Free). Food comes to the boil faster and you can turn the hob down sooner.
Match the pan to the ring (Free). A small pan on a big ring wastes heat around the sides.
Use the microwave more (Free). For reheating and small portions, a microwave heats just the food, not a whole oven box.
Try a slow cooker. Slow cookers are low-powered, and they’re brilliant for cheap cuts and big family stews. Have a look at slow cookers (ad) if you don’t have one.
Use an air fryer for small meals. If you already own one, it’s handy for small portions instead of heating a full-size oven. I won’t give you a saving figure, as it depends on what you’d otherwise cook and how.
Batch cook (Free). Cook two or three meals in one go while the oven is hot, then freeze them. My bill-slashing guides have more ideas for cheaper family meals.
Fill the oven when you use it (Free). Roast vegetables on the shelf below the chicken, or bake tomorrow’s dinner at the same time.
Don’t keep opening the oven door (Free). Each peek lets heat out. Use the oven light and window.
Run the dishwasher only when it’s full (Free). Energy Saving Trust estimates cutting one run a week saves £10 a year. Use the eco programme too.
Air-dry your dishes (Free). Skip the heated drying cycle and open the dishwasher door at the end to let dishes dry naturally.
Check your fridge and freezer seals (Free). Close the door on a piece of paper. If it slides out easily, the seal may need cleaning or replacing.
Keep the freezer full (Free). Keep a sensible stock of food and minimise door opening. Do not buy or freeze extra items solely to fill space; leave room for airflow and follow the freezer manual.
Defrost the freezer (Free). A thick layer of ice makes it work harder. Defrost it when the ice builds up.
Let food cool before it goes in the fridge (Free). Cool leftovers quickly (within a couple of hours, for food safety), then chill them, so the fridge doesn’t have to work harder.

100 Ways to Save Energy at Home UK (Cheap and Free Tips) - original MoneySavvyUK guide image — Pin this guide for later. Original image created for MoneySavvyUK.

6. Laundry energy saving tips (tips 68 to 75)

Wash at 30°C (Free). Modern detergents work well at low temperatures. Energy Saving Trust estimates washing at 30°C and doing one less wash a week saves around £26 a year.
Only run full loads (Free). Half loads use nearly as much energy as full ones.
Use the eco programme (Free). It may take longer, but it’s designed to use less energy.
Hang washing out instead of tumble drying (Free). Energy Saving Trust estimates drying clothes outside in warmer weather, or on racks indoors, can save £50 a year.
Dry indoors safely. If you dry inside, open a window a little or use an extractor fan to stop condensation and mould. A heated airer or dehumidifier can help, but I won’t claim a saving as no reputable source publishes one.
Spin clothes well first (Free). A fast spin gets more water out, so clothes dry faster, whether on the line or in the dryer.
Clean the tumble dryer filter (Free). If you do use a dryer, clear the lint filter every time so it runs efficiently.
Wear things more than once (Free). Jeans, jumpers and pyjamas rarely need washing after one wear. Fewer washes means lower bills (and less ironing).

7. Electronics and lighting tips (tips 76 to 85)

Use extension leads with switches. Plug the TV, console and speakers into one switched power strip, so you can turn them all off at once.
Unplug chargers when you’re done (Free). It’s a good habit and safer too.
Turn down screen brightness (Free). TVs often come set very bright. An eco or standard picture mode can use less power.
Switch off games consoles properly (Free). Some “rest” or “instant-on” modes keep using power. Check the energy settings.
Use a laptop rather than a desktop where you can (Free). Laptops generally use less power.
Use an energy monitor or your smart meter display. Watching the live figure while you switch things on is a real eye-opener for the whole family. If you don’t have a smart meter, you can buy an energy monitor (ad).
Find your “vampire” appliances (Free). Do a walk round at bedtime and note everything with a light on. Those are the things to switch off.
Choose efficient appliances when you replace them. Check the energy label (A is most efficient). An efficient appliance can cost more upfront, so compare running costs over the years you’ll own it, and don’t replace things that still work just to save energy.
Use daylight and task lamps (Free). Work by a window in the day, and use a small lamp rather than every ceiling light in the evening.
Get older kids involved (Free). Make one child the “light monitor” for a week.

8. Bigger home upgrades (tips 86 to 94)

These cost more, but they make the biggest long-term difference, and grants can sometimes pay for them. Get more than one quote, and use certified installers (TrustMark, MCS for heat pumps and solar).

Insulate your loft. Heat rises, so an uninsulated loft is a big loss. The Energy Saving Trust says insulating from nothing to 270mm costs around £750 in Great Britain. If you already have 120mm, it estimates topping up to 270mm costs around £600 and saves £17 a year.
Fill your wall cavities. If your home was built with cavity walls and they’re empty, cavity wall insulation can make a big difference. The Energy Saving Trust says it costs around £2,200 for a typical home in Great Britain. Check the walls are suitable first.
Consider solid wall insulation. Older homes with solid walls lose a lot of heat. It’s expensive and disruptive, so it’s often best done with a grant or alongside other building work.
Upgrade single glazing. Energy Saving Trust estimates fitting A-rated double glazing in a fully single-glazed semi-detached home saves £85 a year. It’s a big cost, so it pays back slowly.
Try secondary glazing. A second pane fitted inside your existing windows is cheaper than new windows, and can suit listed buildings and flats. Even clear window film kits help in a pinch.
Insulate under the floor. If you have a suspended timber floor, insulating underneath and sealing gaps at the skirting can stop cold draughts.
Look at a heat pump. Heat pumps take heat from the air or ground. The Energy Saving Trust says a typical air source heat pump costs around £12,000 to install, and that on standard tariffs it can cost slightly more to run than a new gas boiler, so a heat pump tariff matters. In England and Wales, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 off an air source or ground source heat pump.
Think about solar panels. The Energy Saving Trust says an average home system costs around £7,600. You save most by using the electricity yourself, as you’re typically paid around 12p a unit for what you export through the Smart Export Guarantee.
Replace an old boiler with a more efficient one. If your boiler is old and needs replacing anyway, a modern condensing boiler or a low-carbon system will be more efficient. Get proper advice on what suits your home.

Tip: the government’s zero VAT rate on eligible energy-saving materials, like insulation, heat pumps and solar panels, is due to end on 31 March 2027. If you’re planning a big upgrade, ask your installer whether it applies.

9. Energy saving tips for renters (tips 95 to 100)

Focus on the tips you can do without permission (Free). Thermostat, timers, standby, showers, laundry, kitchen habits and curtains are all yours to change.
Use removable draught-proofing. Door draught excluders, letterbox brushes and removable window film come off easily when you move out.
Ask before you stick things on walls. The Energy Saving Trust says to check with your landlord before fitting radiator reflector panels.
Check your home’s EPC (Free). In England and Wales, privately rented homes must currently have an EPC rating of at least E, unless there’s a valid exemption. You can look up your home’s certificate for free on GOV.UK.
Ask your landlord about grants (Free). In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant can cover upgrades in privately rented homes as well as owned homes, if the household qualifies. The government also plans for private rented homes to reach EPC C by October 2030.
Report damp, mould and broken heating promptly (Free). A broken boiler or leaky window isn’t something you should have to pay to heat around. Report it in writing and keep a copy.

Help with energy bills and home upgrades in 2026/27

If you’re struggling, or you’d love to insulate but can’t afford it, check these. Most are free to apply for.

Warm Home Discount (£150)

The Warm Home Discount is £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2026/27. It reopens in October 2026, and in England and Wales you’ll usually get it automatically if you’re eligible, for example through certain benefits. In Scotland you may need to apply to your supplier. I explain who qualifies in my guide to free money help in the UK.

Warm Homes Plan and Warm Homes: Local Grant

The government’s Warm Homes Plan is its main home upgrade programme to 2030. Right now, the part most households can use is the Warm Homes: Local Grant in England. Councils arrange free upgrades such as insulation, heat pumps, smart heating controls or solar panels. You usually qualify if your home is privately owned (by you or your landlord), has an EPC rating of D to G, and your household income is usually £36,000 a year or less. Some postcodes and benefits also qualify. Apply on GOV.UK or call 0800 098 7950.

ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme

The Great British Insulation Scheme ended on 31 March 2026. ECO4, which funds upgrades through energy suppliers for low-income households, has been extended to 31 December 2026, so if you’re eligible, don’t leave it late. After that, there won’t be a replacement supplier scheme. Help will come through Warm Homes Plan grants instead.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (£7,500 for heat pumps)

In England and Wales, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme gives £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump, £2,500 towards an air-to-air heat pump, or £5,000 towards a biomass boiler. Your installer applies for you and takes it off the price.

Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register is free. Your supplier and network operator can give you priority help in an emergency, warn you about planned power cuts, send bills in large print or braille, and set up a password scheme so you know callers are genuine. You can join if you’ve reached state pension age, are pregnant or have young children, have a disability or long-term condition, find it hard to speak or read English, or have had a recent change like a hospital stay, bereavement or losing your job. Contact your supplier and your network operator, as they keep separate lists.

Smart meters

Your supplier will fit a smart meter for free. It sends readings automatically, so no more estimated bills, and the display shows your use in pounds and pence.

If you can’t pay your bill

Contact your supplier as soon as you can. Ofgem says suppliers must help, for example with an affordable repayment plan. If you live in Scotland, Home Energy Scotland offers free advice, and in Wales, the Nest scheme can help with upgrades.

Also do: grab my free printable 100 energy saving tips checklist and tick off one section a week. Then look at your other bills. My guides to cutting your broadband and mobile bill and cancelling subscriptions you’ve forgotten about are quick wins too. If you’d like a fresh start with all your money, join my free 7-Day Financial Reset Kit.

Ways to save energy at home UK: FAQs

What uses the most energy in a UK home?

For most homes, it’s heating, then hot water. That’s why turning down the thermostat, shorter showers, draught-proofing and insulation make the biggest difference.

Is it cheaper to leave the heating on low all day?

Usually not. The Energy Saving Trust recommends using a timer to heat your home only when you need it. Your home loses heat all the time, so keeping it warm all day uses more energy overall.

Does switching things off at the wall really save money?

Yes. Energy Saving Trust estimates switching appliances off standby saves around £45 a year in Great Britain.

What is the energy price cap for October 2026?

From 1 October to 31 December 2026, a typical household paying by Direct Debit for gas and electricity pays £1,723 a year. Average rates are 26.32p per kWh for electricity and 7.97p per kWh for gas, plus daily standing charges.

Can I get free insulation in the UK?

Possibly. In England, the Warm Homes: Local Grant can fund free upgrades for eligible lower-income households, and ECO4 runs until 31 December 2026. Scotland and Wales have their own schemes. Check GOV.UK, your council or Home Energy Scotland.

Ways to save energy at home UK: summary

Start with the free tips: thermostat down a degree, standby off, shorter showers, wash at 30°C and line dry.
Spend a little on draught-proofing, a chimney excluder, LED bulbs and a tap aerator.
Get your heating controls working for you: timer, TRVs and the right flow temperature.
For big upgrades, check the Warm Homes: Local Grant, ECO4 (until 31 December 2026) and the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Claim the £150 Warm Home Discount if you qualify, and join the Priority Services Register if it applies to you.
Check your bill against the October 2026 price cap with my price cap calculator.

For more ways to cut your household costs, browse all my UK bill-slashing guides.

Sources and useful links

This is general information, not personal financial advice. I’m not a financial adviser, and I’m not connected with any energy supplier. Savings figures are Energy Saving Trust estimates for Great Britain, checked on 10 October 2026, and your own savings will depend on your home and how you use energy.

About the author: Dr Kalpana Govindaraasan is a UK mum, PhD materials scientist and former secondary science teacher. MoneySavvyUK shares practical ideas and general information with sources readers can check.

Start a wider spending reset with my free 7-Day Financial Reset Kit. Browse the free UK money calculators for budgeting and bill checks.