Energy saving tips to reduce gas and electricity bills
Discover the simple things you can do around the home to maximise your energy efficiency and lower your bills.
Energy saving facts
Heating and hot water account for over half of your energy bill, so it’s a good idea to keep track of what you use.
Lowering your washing machine to 30⁰C could reduce your energy usage by 40%.
An immersion heater only needs to be on for an hour to give you enough hot water for the whole day.
How can I make my home more energy efficient?
Our energy saving tips are simple things to switch up your daily routine that could start saving money on your bills. Watch our video for six top energy saving tips.
Heating tips to save on gas and electricity
- Turning your thermostat down by 1 degree, could save up to 10% on your energy bill. The Energy Savings Trust recommends 18⁰C - 21⁰C as the lowest comfortable temperature.
- Switch to a smart thermostat so you can control your heating from your smartphone or tablet.
- Cover your hot water tank with an insulated jacket, and you could save the cost of lagging it within a year.
- Install smart radiator valves so you can control the temperature in each room individually and only heat rooms when you're using them.
- Reducing your boiler flow temperature could make your heating more efficient – experiment to find how low you can go and still stay comfortable .
- Draught-proof your home to keep all the heat you’re paying for inside.
- Close blinds and curtains during winter to stop heat escaping.
Tips to save energy in the kitchen
- Instead of automatically switching on the oven, choose the best appliance for the job. Slow cookers are great for cooking family meals with less energy than an oven.
- As their capacity is smaller, air fryers are perfect if there are only a couple of you.
- If you do use the oven, batch cook as much as possible in one go and freeze the extra for an almost instant meal later.
- Pop lids on pans when you’re cooking on the hob to trap heat- it uses up to 30% less energy.1
- Check the energy rating on your appliances and consider upgrading if they’re not A-rated – these are the most energy efficient so cheapest to run.
- Defrost your fridge freezer regularly to avoid it using more energy than it needs.
Tips for saving energy doing the laundry
- Turn down the temperature – most modern detergents can clean effectively at 30⁰C.
- Tumble dryers are one of the most power-hungry appliances, so use them sparingly, A heated clothes drier is more economical if it’s too wet to dry laundry outside.
- Most busy households do this anyway but try to only run full loads in your washing machine and tumble dryer so you’re not using them more than you need to.
General tips to reduce energy consumption
- Keep track of your spending with a smart meter so you can spot which are the energy-guzzling appliances and find ways to save when using them.
- Save money by switching electronics off at the wall instead of leaving them on standby – using a hive plug makes this easy.
- Shorter shower times will save water as well as energy, so could help to cut both bills.
Calculating how much electricity your appliances use
How much do everyday appliances cost to run?
| Common appliances and running times: | Approximate usage in units | Approximate running cost [2] |
|---|---|---|
| Washing machine (40 degrees for an hour) | 2 | £0.50 |
| Tumble dryer (an hour) | 3 | £0.75 |
| Electric cooker/oven (30 minutes) | 1.5 | £0.37 |
| Dishwasher (an hour) | Up to 1.8 | Up to £0.45 |
| Kettle (5 minutes) | 0.1 | £0.02 |
| Toaster (5 minutes) | 0.1 | £0.02 |
| Electric shower (15 minutes) | 2.5 | £0.62 |
| Electric hob (15 minutes) | Up to 0.4 | Up to £0.10 |
| TV (an hour) | 0.2 | £0.05 |
| Games console (an hour) | 0.2 | £0.05 |
| PC/laptop (plugged in, one hour) | 0.2 | £0.05 |
How much energy do appliances running 24/7 use?
| Appliances commonly running 24 hours | Approximate usage in units | Approximate running cost [2] |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge freezer | 2.5 | £0.62 |
| Wifi router | 0.5 | £0.12 |
| Set top box (Sky/Virgin Media etc) | 0.5 | £0.12 |
| Separate chest fridge/freezer | Up to 1.5 | Up to £0.39 |
| Alexa | 0.1 | £0.02 |
| Wifi booster | 0.1 | £0.02 |
| Wine/drinks fridge | 2.4 | £0.60 |
| Security camera | Up to 0.4 | Up to £0.10 |
What is a kilowatt hour (kWh)
A kWh stands for kilowatt hour – the unit used to measure energy use. 1 kWh will power a 40 watt light bulb for 25 hours.
Read our helpful guide to learn more about what a kWh is and how it’s calculated.
Energy cost savings calculator
The Energy Saving Trust has calculated how much you can save by making simple changes around the home. You can also invest in smart home technology to help cut energy use and your bills.
How we can help
These are just some of the ways we can help you manage and save energy at home.
Tracking your energy
If you have smart meters, log in to your account to see how much energy you are using daily.
It's easiest to check in the mobile app
Smart meters
Monitor how much energy you use with a smart meter, and save time as they automatically send your meter readings to us.
Save more with PeakSave
Hundreds of thousands of customers use their smart meters to save money with half price electricity on PeakSave Sundays.
Struggling to Pay?
We don’t want anyone to struggle. If you can’t pay your fuel costs or think your bill might be wrong, we’re here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to use your washing machine at night?
It depends on your tariff. Most UK homes pay a 'flat' rate for electricity, so it cost’s the same whatever time of day you’re using it. Other tariffs like Economy 7 - give you 'cheaper off peak' hours in the night. Our handy guide explains everything you need to know about off-peak electricity.
Whatever tariff you’re on, if you have an electricity smart meter you can get half-price electricity on PeakSave Sundays and PeakSave Green Flex events too. Perfect for tackling the laundry.
When is the cheapest time to put the heating on?
If you have gas heating it costs the same regardless of the time of day. You’ll likely need heating in the early morning and evening when temperatures drop. Setting your heating to turn on just before you return home can be very effective.
Working from home? Then it could be worth just heating the one room you work in, so you don’t waste money heating empty rooms.
If you have electric heating, it depends on your energy supplier and your tariff. If you're on an Economy 7 or 10 tariff, (or some specialist EV tariffs), you'll pay less for electricity you use during the night, but a higher rate than average during the day. If you're on a single-rate tariff, you'll pay the same amount regardless of what time of day it is.
When is the cheapest time to use the tumble dryer?
The cheapest time to use the tumble dryer is during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower. You’ll need a smart meter to take advantage of off-peak electricity times and rewards, like PeakSave Sundays, from your energy supplier. Read our guide to understand more about off-peak electricity.
Other tips to save money when using your tumble dryer:
- Let your clothes dry more naturally, weather permitting, so they need less time in the dryer
- Wait until you have a full load, so you run fewer cycles
- Make use of the low heat or eco cycles if your dryer has them
What are the best boiler settings for saving money?
Reducing your boiler flow temperature to between 55 and 60 degrees and turning your thermostat down by 1 degree can help you to save money on your energy bill. Servicing your boiler once a year is also important to help maintain its energy efficiency.
Save more by covering your hot water tank with an insulated jacket (if you have one). Also, draught proof your home and close your blinds and curtains to keep the heat in when it’s cold.
Investing in smart home technology like the hive thermostat means you can control your heating from your smartphone or tablet. And installing thermostatic radiator valves allows you to control the temperature in each room. Keep them low around 2-3 when you aren’t in the rooms or out of the house.
Does turning your radiators off save gas?
Turning off radiators in rooms you’re not using can help you to save on your energy bills. You can also install thermostatic radiator valves to control the temperature in each room individually, keeping them low when you aren’t in the rooms or out of the house.
Does turning the kettle off at the wall save electricity?
Small changes to how you use electricity can add up. Unplugging appliances like kettles and not leaving others on standby are good habits to get into and every little counts towards lower energy bills.
How much does eco mode on a boiler save?
Most modern combi boilers can pre‑heat water, which means you get hot water instantly when you turn on the tap. But you can switch this functionality off by going into eco mode. If you do that, your boiler will only heat water as and when you need it. That means you’ll save energy by only heating water when you need it, but also that you might have a short wait rather than getting it the moment you turn on the tap. The amount this can save will depend on your boiler and energy tariff.
Is it cheaper to have the heating on all day?
According to the Energy Saving Trust, it’s usually not cheaper to leave the heating on all day. Leaving your heating on low all day uses more energy – because homes generally lose a certain amount of heat throughout the day. How much depends on the quality of insulation that you have.
Investing in smart home technology like the hive Thermostat means you can control your heating from your smartphone or tablet. Installing thermostatic radiator valves allows you to control the temperature in each room.
Additional information
Figures are taken from Energy Saving Trust, based on the 1st April 2026 price cap rates and a customer with typical usage, paying by Direct Debit. Rates and standing charges vary by region and payment method.