Smarter energy choices for your home
It’s easier than ever to use energy smarter, making your home cheaper to run. From quick fixes to smart tech, small changes can make a big difference for both your bills and the environment.
Save around £100 a year with these three simple actions
Reduce your combi boiler flow temperature to 60C
Most boilers are set too high – lowering the flow temperature can make yours more efficient and cut your bills.
However, if you’re over 65 or have children under 5 or health conditions, take extra care to make sure your home stays warm enough.
Find and fix draughts around the home
Have a good look for gaps around windows, doors, pipes and floors. Look out for visible light, listen for noises on windy days, and feel for air moving around.
Different material may be required depending on the gaps – and be careful not to seal essential ventilation like extractor fans or airbricks.
Turn radiators down, not off, in rooms you’re not using
Lowering the settings in rooms you’re not using much can save energy and help your boiler run more efficiently. Turning them off completely can actually increase risk of damp and mould.
If you’re over 65 or have children under 5 or health conditions, take extra care to make sure your home stays warm enough.
Understand more about your energy use
Every home is different and one of the best ways to save energy is monitoring and managing your consumption, helping identify the changes that will be most effective in your own household.
Install a smart meter
Energy suppliers install smart meters in homes at no extra cost. Smart meters provide automatic readings to your supplier, ending estimated bills and making budgeting easier.
They also mean you can make the most of tariffs that offer cheaper electricity during different hours of the day.
Track your energy use in real time, for free
Once you have a smart meter, you can get near real-time information about energy use through your free in-home display or by downloading apps offered by energy suppliers and other organisations.
These will help identify your most energy intensive appliances and habits so you can adjust them and make savings.
Check your tariff
Switching suppliers and tariffs is often easier than you think, so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal.
If you have a smart meter, some suppliers also offer smart electricity tariffs with cheaper off-peak rates. This means you can make savings if you can shift usage, for example if you have electric heating like a heat pump, an electric vehicle, or lots of electrical appliances.
To access these smart tariffs, you will typically need to have a smart meter.
Other energy saving actions
There are a range of other energy saving actions you can consider like ensuring your hot water cylinder has a jacket to help your hot water stay warmer for longer, installing an energy efficient showerhead or turning appliances off at the socket.
Financial help for your home
You might be eligible for financial help for energy efficiency and heating measures through government schemes. You can also ask your bank about green loans.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)
Contact your energy supplier directly to see if you might be eligible for energy efficiency and heating improvements. You can find contact details of suppliers who are taking part in the scheme on the Ofgem website.
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
Suppliers can also help with insulation if your home has an EPC rating of D to G and falls within Council Tax bands A-D in England or A-E in Scotland or Wales. Apply for support from the Great British Insulation Scheme – GOV.UK.
Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund
This scheme supports social housing landlords to upgrade tenants’ homes with measures including solar panels. If you live in social housing you can contact your housing association or landlord to check eligibility.
Warm Homes: Local Grants
Funding eligible local authorities to deliver energy performance upgrades for low-income households living in privately owned homes. Apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant to improve a home – GOV.UK.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
If you are interested in installing a heat pump, visit our heat pump page to understand how this grant supports you.
Are you falling behind on your energy bills?
If you are struggling to pay your bills or concerned about energy debt, speak to your energy supplier, local authority, or Citizens Advice who may be able to provide further guidance on the support that is available. You can also visit the GOV.UK website, where extra cost-of-living support can be found.
Additional help for people living in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland
If you’re in Wales, you could access an interest-free loan alongside the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant. Explore options at Green Homes Wales and get personalised advice through the Nest Warm Homes Programme.
If you’re in Scotland, you may be eligible for an interest-free loan or grant to improve your home’s energy efficiency, including support for installing a heat pump. Find out more from Home Energy Scotland.
If you’re in Northern Ireland, you may qualify for financial support. Find out more about energy advice from the government services website.
Curious about what else you can do to save energy?
Click below to learn more.
