Cooking
- Cooking can account for 20%+ of your total energy use - a slow cooker or air fryer will use less energy than an oven and hob
- Cook in batches to avoid using appliances every day
- Glass and ceramic dishes retain more heat, so you can lower the oven temperature when using these.
Electricity
- New energy efficient appliances, like fridges and TVs, can save you money but are costly purchases
- You could save an average of £55 a year by turning your appliances off at the plug
- Modern LED bulbs are much more efficient than traditional bulbs, they also last longer so are less wasteful. Smart LED bulbs like Hive Lights can help you save even more energy as you can switch them on and off remotely
- Turn your lights off when you’re not using them or when you leave a room. This will save you around £20 a year on your energy bills
- Unplug devices once they’re fully charged to save energy and prolong battery life.
Water
- Saving water and saving energy go hand in hand – tap aerators and low flow shower heads are often free from your water company and will reduce hot water use
- Only run your dishwasher when it is full
- Keeping your shower time to 4 minutes could save a typical household £70 a year. Buying a more efficient shower head can also save energy, especially if you’ve a water meter.
Heating
- Turn down your thermostat. Every 1 degree down saves 7% on your total bill, £175 per year on average. Heat for less time and heat less rooms (e.g. by switching off the radiators in unused rooms) if you can
- Use the thermostat and the radiator valves to control the temperate in each room. Try using a thermometer to check you’ve got the settings just right. In general, if you've no health conditions, you should aim for 18c in the living areas and 16c in the bedrooms. (Remember, below 16c in a room can pose a risk to health)
- In the day, try to use as much natural - and free - heat (in the form of sunlight) as possible. But when dusk falls, clos your curtains will help your home retain that heat – but avoid draping them over radiators.
Household tasks
- Wait until you have a full load before doing washing
- Use the eco setting on your dishwasher or boiler (it heats water more slowly, using less energy). You get the same results; it just takes a little longer
- Set your washing machine to a 30-degree wash, rather than 40 degrees
- Avoid using a tumble dryer for your clothes: dry clothes on racks inside where possible, or outside in warmer weather.
Please note, this advice is for guidance purposes only and may not be suitable for every circumstance.
Could you be entitled to extra support?
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free UK-wide service offered by utility companies - such as electricity, gas, and water providers - to support customers who may need extra help due to personal circumstances.
Find out more about the PSR
You may also be entitled to financial support to help manage your energy bills.
Find out what financial help you could receive
