12 Energy Saving Tips To Reduce Your Energy Bills

To help people protect themselves against the projected increase, Energy Saving Trust has provided 12 simple Energy Saving Tips to save energy, money and reduce your carbon footprint.

“Householders who take our twelve energy saving actions could save up to £248 on their annual energy bills, providing a level of protection against the projected increases.”
Laura McGadie, group head of energy, Energy Saving Trust

Support with your energy bills

Laura McGadie, group head of energy, Energy Saving Trust, said:

“We understand that rising energy bills are causing concern for households across Great Britain.

At Energy Saving Trust, we’re working to support people by sharing advice on simple energy saving actions you can take around the home, without compromising on health or lifestyle.

Householders who take our twelve energy saving actions could save up to £248 on their annual energy bills, providing a level of protection against the projected increases.”

“If you are concerned about paying your energy bill, we advise you speak to your supplier to find out what support is available and to check if you’re eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

If you live in Scotland, contact Home Energy Scotland for free, impartial advice and to check your eligibility for funding options. In Wales, the Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme offers advice and support on energy efficiency, money management and tariffs.”

Energy saving tips

Draught proof around windows, doors and floorboards. You can do this by fitting foam strips, plastic seals or brushes. Seal gaps between floors and skirting boards with a simple sealant bought from any DIY store.
Save £30 on your annual energy bills and 105kg of CO2, the equivalent of driving 380 miles from Exeter to Hull.
Effective insulation of your hot water cylinder is important: even if you have thin spray foam or a 25mm jacket, you can benefit from increasing the insulation to a British Standard Jacket 80mm thick.
Save £20 on your annual energy bills and 110kg of CO2, the equivalent of driving 390 miles from Birmingham to Aberdeen.
Turn devices around the home off standby, or onto idle mode. Save £40 on your annual energy bills and 50kg of CO2, the equivalent of driving 180 miles from Manchester to Newcastle.
Turn lights off when leaving a room. Save £14 on your annual energy bills and 17kg of CO2, the equivalent of driving 61 miles from London to Canterbury.
Use your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures. Save £10 on your annual energy bills and 12kg of CO2, the equivalent of driving 43 miles from Edinburgh to Glasgow.
Similarly, only wash your clothes in your washing machine when you have a full load. Reduce your washing machine use by one run per week for a year. Save £10 on your annual energy bills and 13kg of CO2.
Only run your dishwasher when it is full to reduce the amount of water you use. Save £10 on your annual energy bills and 12kg of CO2, the equivalent of driving 43 miles from Edinburgh to Glasgow.
Only boil water you need in your kettle. Save £8 on your annual energy bills and 10kg of CO2, the equivalent of driving 36 miles from Sheffield to Leeds.
Fit an aerator onto your existing kitchen tap to reduce the amount of water coming out without affecting its effectiveness. An aerator is a small gadget with tiny holes – they attach to the spout of taps and are cheap and easy to install.
Save £14 on your annual energy bills and 65kg of CO2, the equivalent of driving 230 miles from London to Bristol and back again.
Keep your shower time to 4 minutes. Save £45 on your annual energy bills and 195kg of CO2, the equivalent of driving 700 miles from Birmingham to Aberdeen and back again.
Swap one bath a week with a 4-minute shower. Save £7 on your annual energy bills and 35kg of CO2, the equivalent of driving 120 miles from London to Bristol.
Avoid using a tumble dryer for your clothes: dry clothes on racks inside where possible or outside in warmer weather.
Save £40 on your annual energy bills and 50kg of CO2, the equivalent of driving 180 miles from Manchester to Newcastle.

Find out more by visiting: energysavingtrust.org.uk

Smart meters

Smart meters are replacing analogue energy meters across the country. They come with an in-home display that shows your energy usage in pounds and pence in near real-time.

Nearly half of all energy meters in Great Britain are now smart meters, and 2022 is set to be the year that smart meters outnumber traditional meters.

Smart meters are available at no extra cost; simply contact your energy supplier to request an installation or visit smartenergyGB.org for more information.