How to Lower Your Energy Bill: 7 Easy Ways (Heating & Electricity)

2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Heating season is here, and energy bills can jump fast. The good news? Many of the biggest savings cost nothing at all. Here are simple ways to lower your electricity and heating bill, starting today.

First, know where your money goes. In most homes, heating and hot water are the biggest costs. After that come big appliances like the fridge, washing machine and dryer, and devices that are always on.

Step by step

1. 

   Turn the heating down one degree

   Lowering the temperature by just one degree can cut heating costs by around six percent. Around twenty degrees is comfortable for living rooms, and a bit cooler for bedrooms. Wear a warm layer before you reach for the thermostat.

   Done

2. 

   Heat smarter, not longer

   Don't heat empty rooms, and close doors between warm and cold rooms. Keep radiators free, not blocked by sofas or long curtains. And if your radiators gurgle or stay cold at the top, bleeding them helps them heat properly.

   Done

3. 

   Air out the right way

   Leaving a window tilted open all day wastes heat. Instead, open windows wide for five to ten minutes, two or three times a day, with the heating turned down. You get fresh air without cooling the walls.

   Done

4. 

   Stop the drafts

   Cold air sneaks in around doors and windows. Draft stoppers, sealing tape and thick curtains at night are cheap and easy, and they make rooms feel warmer straight away.

   Done

5. 

   Cut hot water costs

   Shorter showers save more than you think. A water saving shower head can cut hot water use a lot. Wash clothes at thirty or forty degrees. Modern detergents work well at low temperatures.

   Done

6. 

   Find the hidden power users

   Devices on standby use power all day: TVs, consoles, chargers and old electronics. Use a power strip with a switch and turn everything off at night. Swap old bulbs for LEDs, and only run the dishwasher and washing machine when they're full.

   Done

7. 

   Check your tariff

   Look at your last bill and compare prices online. If you've been on the same contract for years, you may be paying much more than new customers. Switching is usually free and only takes a few minutes. Watch out for very low prices with short guarantees.

   Done

Good to know

And read your meter every month. It shows quickly if something changes, and it helps you avoid a surprise at the end of the year.

In short: Turn the heating down a degree, heat only the rooms you use, air out briefly, stop drafts, use less hot water, switch off standby, and check your tariff.