8 tips to save energy at home during summer
Summer’s here. The days are longer, the heating’s (hopefully) off, and the barbecue’s out of hibernation. But even with the warmer weather, it’s easy to use more energy than you think. The good news? A few small changes can help make a big difference to your electric bill.
Here are our top tips.
1. Make the most of lighter nights and save electricity
Longer days mean the big light doesn’t need to come on until later. Keep the curtains and blinds open as long as you can and let the natural light flood in!
When it begins to get dark and you need to switch lights on, only light rooms that you’re using and you could save around £7 a year on your energy bills.1
2. Keep your home cool naturally
Sitting or sleeping in a hot stuffy room is never fun. But fans can be expensive to run over time. If it’s breezy, open windows and internal doors to let fresh air flow through.
During a heatwave though, it’s best to leave windows shut when the day is at its hottest to keep your house cool. It’s tempting to fling them open, but when the air outside is warmer than it is inside it’ll only make you feel even hotter. Instead, only open them early in the morning or later in the evening.
3. Give the fridge some love so it’s more energy efficient
Your fridge is going to be a good friend through those hot summer months. Typically, they make up around 13% of the average household’s energy bill, as they’re always on.2 But the better it runs, the less electricity it uses.
If you’ve got a cool box (or a helpful neighbour with freezer space), a hot day is the perfect time to defrost your freezer. The ice will melt faster, and you’ll cool off too.
Alternatively, try these simple ways to keep your fridge and freezer running well.
First, leave at least 5 centimetres of space around the sides and back to help heat escape. This means the motor doesn’t have to work as hard.
And try to keep your fridge at least two-thirds full. It stops warm air rushing in when you open the door, so it uses less energy to cool back down. If it’s looking a bit bare, especially before a holiday when it’s likely to be empty for a while, filling a few jugs or bottles with tap water can do the trick nicely.
4. Cook smart with half-price electricity on Sundays
Standing over a hot stove every day feels like the last thing you want to do when the sun is shining. That’s where a bit of batch cooking comes in – it means less time in the kitchen during the week and more time out enjoying the good weather.
If you’re signed up to our PeakSave scheme, you get half-price electricity every Sunday from 11am to 4pm. It’s a great time to cook a few meals in one go, then relax knowing your weeknight dinners are already sorted.
5. Ditch the dryer and go green with your laundry
Nothing beats the smell of fresh laundry dried in the open air. Instead of using the tumble dryer in warmer weather, try hanging your clothes outside and you could save £50 a year on your bills.1
And when the sun’s shining, who wants to be stuck inside ironing? Hanging clothes by the seams helps prevent wrinkles and marks. So you can skip the iron and save even more.
No outside space? A drying rack near a sunny window works just as well – plus, it adds a little extra moisture to the air on dry days.
6. Switch off and enjoy more family time
In winter, staying in with a box set can feel like the perfect plan. But devices like TVs, games consoles and computers amount to around 6%2 of your energy bill.
So when the warmer weather’s here, it’s a great excuse to switch off, get outside and spend time with family and friends. Whether it’s a walk in the sun, a garden catch-up or a picnic in the park, it’s great for your well-being and gives your energy use a break too.
7. Fire up the BBQ
A barbecue isn’t just fun for the whole family, it can also be a good way to save on your electric bills.
With a little bit of prep, you can make sure your barbecue is running efficiently. Give it a good clean before you start, so it doesn’t have to work harder to cook your food. Oil your grates so you can flip your food easily. And, if you have an electric or gas barbecue, make sure that you close the lid while you’re cooking to use less energy.
You can find more helpful advice in our blog about BBQ safety.
8. Turn your thermostat down as the temperature goes up
As the weather warms up, start turning your thermostat down to a comfortable level – most people are happy between 18 and 21°C. If you’ve got a single thermostat for the whole house, lowering it by just one degree could save you about £90 a year.3
And if you’re going away, spend a few minutes switching appliances to eco or holiday mode and turning off anything you don’t need at the wall. TVs and microwaves still use energy in standby mode. You could save as much as £451 a year just by switching off appliances at the plug when you aren’t using them.
Discover even more ways to save energy around your home with our energy saving tips guide.
Updated on 3 June 2025 by:
Victoria Daines
Customer Engagement Communications Manager