Guidance for domestic energy consumers in the United Kingdom seeking to reduce household energy costs.

This page provides official guidance for households in the United Kingdom on practical, regulated, and approved methods to reduce energy consumption and lower energy bills. It includes actionable steps that can be taken without compromising health or safety, in line with public policy and recognised standards for domestic energy efficiency.

This guidance is applicable to homeowners, private tenants, social housing residents, and landlords responsible for residential property energy use.

Understanding Your Energy Bill

Reducing energy costs starts with understanding how your bill is calculated. A typical domestic energy bill consists of:

  • Unit rate: The cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of gas or electricity used
  • Standing charge: A daily fixed cost for maintaining the supply, regardless of usage
  • VAT: Currently set at 5% for domestic energy in the UK

 

Energy bills also reflect seasonal use, heating efficiency, household size, and appliance behaviour.

Quick Cost-Free Measures

These steps involve no upfront cost and can lead to immediate reductions in energy consumption.

1. Turn Off Standby Appliances

  • Switch off TVs, chargers, and kitchen devices fully instead of leaving them on standby
  • Many devices continue to draw small amounts of power even when not in use

2. Lower Your Heating Thermostat by 1°C

  • Reducing the thermostat by just one degree can save around £100 annually, depending on usage
  • Maintain a minimum of 18°C in living spaces to meet public health guidelines

3. Use Timers and Thermostatic Controls

  • Use programmer functions to heat only when required
  • Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) allow you to control individual room temperatures efficiently

4. Switch Off Lights in Unused Rooms

  • Replace traditional bulbs with LED bulbs, which use up to 80% less energy

Low-Cost Efficiency Improvements

These measures involve small purchases or minor modifications to your home.

1. Fit Draught-Proofing

  • Apply self-adhesive draught excluders to doors and windows
  • Block chimneys and unused vents where safe to do so

2. Install Reflective Radiator Panels

  • Panels placed behind radiators reflect heat back into the room rather than losing it through external walls

3. Use Insulating Materials

  • Fit hot water tank jackets
  • Use pipe insulation on exposed heating pipes

4. Use a Cylinder Thermostat

  • Keep hot water cylinders at 60°C to prevent overheating and reduce heat loss

Medium to Large-Scale Upgrades

Eligible households may receive full or partial funding under schemes such as ECO4 or GBIS for these measures.

1. Loft Insulation

  • Prevents heat loss through the roof
  • Required depth: 270mm of mineral wool or equivalent

2. Cavity or Solid Wall Insulation

  • Fills gaps in wall structure to prevent heat escape
  • Requires professional installation and is subject to building regulations

3. Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Boiler

  • Replacing a non-condensing boiler with an A-rated condensing boiler can significantly reduce gas usage

4. Smart Heating Controls

  • Smart thermostats and zonal control systems help optimise usage
  • Compatible with smartphone apps for remote adjustment

5. Install Smart Meters

  • Automatically track energy usage
  • Enable accurate billing and identify high-consumption patterns

Smart meters are available at no extra cost from your energy supplier.

Tariff Review and Switching

You may be able to reduce your energy costs by moving to a more suitable tariff.

Key actions:

  • Compare tariffs using Ofgem-accredited comparison tools
  • Review fixed vs variable rates
  • Ask your current supplier about loyalty tariffs or discounts
  • Consider Economy 7 or Economy 10 if you use electricity-based night heating

You have the legal right to switch supplier or tariff at any time (see separate guidance: Switching Energy Suppliers).

Financial Support Schemes

Eligible households may access direct financial relief:

  • Warm Home Discount – £150 automatic bill discount for qualifying households
  • Winter Fuel Payment – Up to £600 for pension-age households
  • Cold Weather Payments – £25 for every 7-day period of low temperatures (triggered automatically)
  • ECO Grants and GBIS – For energy efficiency improvements in qualifying homes

Working with Your Energy Supplier

If you are in financial difficulty or behind on bills:

  • Contact your supplier to discuss debt repayment plans
  • Ask about hardship funds or charitable trusts (e.g. British Gas Energy Trust)
  • Request energy efficiency advice or home visits if available

Suppliers have obligations under the Energy UK Vulnerability Commitment to support customers in need.

To begin saving money on your energy bills:

  1. Take daily steps to reduce usage—switch off standby, control heating, and manage lighting use
  2. Install low-cost efficiency tools like draught-proofing, TRVs, or LED bulbs
  3. Check your tariff and consider switching to a more competitive rate
  4. Apply for funding support through Warm Home Discount or ECO/GBIS grants
  5. Request a smart meter if you do not already have one installed
  6. Contact your supplier to discuss assistance options if you are struggling to pay

Accurate and consistent actions can significantly reduce energy bills over time while improving overall home comfort and efficiency.