The quickest ways to cut your energy bills are to turn your thermostat down a degree, switch appliances off standby, take shorter showers and dry clothes without a tumble dryer. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that turning the thermostat down from 22°C to 21°C alone can save £120 a year in Great Britain. It is also worth checking your tariff, because the Ofgem price cap limits unit rates, not your total bill.
Energy bills are one of the biggest regular costs for most households, and they move every few months. You cannot control wholesale prices, but you can control how much energy you use. This guide sets out the changes that make the most difference, using only the savings figures published by the Energy Saving Trust, and explains what Ofgem's price cap does and does not do.
How much can small changes really save?
The Energy Saving Trust publishes estimated yearly savings for a typical home. The figures below are its Great Britain estimates; Northern Ireland figures are sometimes different. Your own savings will depend on the size of your home, how you heat it and how you use it.
| Change | Estimated saving (GB) | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Turn the thermostat down from 22°C to 21°C | £120 a year | One-off, free |
| Professional draught proofing of windows and doors | Around £55 a year | Upfront cost |
| Dry clothes on a rack or line instead of a tumble dryer | About £50 a year | Habit |
| Keep showers to four minutes | £45 a year | Habit |
| Turn appliances off standby | Around £45 a year | Habit |
| Replace halogen bulbs with LEDs | £45 a year (costs around £18) | One-off |
| Wash at 30°C and do one less wash a week | Around £26 a year | Habit |
| Fit a tap aerator | £20 a year | One-off, cheap |
| Only boil the water you need in the kettle | £10 a year | Habit |
| Switch lights off when you leave a room | Around £7 a year | Habit |
None of these will transform a bill on its own, but they add up, and most cost nothing.
What is the best way to save on heating?
Heating is usually the largest part of a household energy bill, so it is the best place to start.
- Turn the thermostat down a degree. The Energy Saving Trust's estimate of £120 a year in Great Britain for going from 22°C to 21°C is the single biggest figure in the table above. It suggests a temperature between 18°C and 21°C suits most people. If anyone in your home is elderly, unwell or very young, keep them warm enough first.
- Use your heating controls. Set a timer so the heating comes on shortly before you need it and goes off when you leave the house or go to bed. Thermostatic radiator valves let you keep rooms you rarely use cooler.
- Stop draughts. Gaps around windows, doors, letterboxes and floorboards let warm air out. The Energy Saving Trust estimates professional draught proofing of windows and doors saves around £55 a year in Great Britain. Simple DIY draught excluders are a cheaper starting point.
- Close curtains at dusk. It is a free way to keep heat in the room on winter evenings, as long as the curtains do not cover radiators.
How can I use less hot water?
Heating water takes a lot of energy, so cutting hot water use saves on gas or electricity as well as water.
- Shorter showers. Keeping your shower to four minutes could save £45 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
- Tap aerators. These cheap fittings mix air into the flow so you use less water without noticing much difference. The Energy Saving Trust puts the saving at £20 a year in Great Britain.
- Cooler washes. Washing at 30°C instead of higher temperatures, and running the washing machine one fewer time a week, is estimated to save around £26 a year. Fill the drum properly rather than running half loads.
Which appliance habits make a difference?
- Standby. Many devices still draw power when they look switched off. Turning appliances off at the plug could save around £45 a year, says the Energy Saving Trust. Check the instructions first for anything that needs to stay on, such as some digital TV recorders.
- Tumble dryer. Drying clothes on a rack indoors or on a line outside is worth about £50 a year. If you dry clothes indoors, ventilate the room to avoid condensation.
- Kettle. Only boiling the water you need could save £10 a year in Great Britain.
- Lighting. Swapping halogen bulbs for LEDs costs around £18 and saves about £45 a year, and switching lights off when you leave a room adds around £7 a year more.
What does the Ofgem price cap actually do?
The energy price cap is often misunderstood. Ofgem explains that it sets the maximum your supplier can charge for each unit of energy and the daily standing charge combined. It does not limit your total bill: the more energy you use, the more you pay.
The cap protects customers on standard variable (default) tariffs. It does not cover fixed tariffs, business energy contracts, heat networks or heating oil. Ofgem reviews the cap level every three months.
For 1 October to 31 December 2026, Ofgem set the cap at £1,723 a year for a typical household paying by Direct Debit for gas and electricity, a 4% rise on the previous period. That figure is for typical energy use, not a maximum; your bill could be higher or lower.
When it announced that level, Ofgem also pointed out that:
- Fixed tariffs were available at £100 or more below the October cap.
- Some suppliers offer cheaper electricity to smart meter customers who use power outside peak times.
- If you are struggling to pay, you should contact your supplier as soon as possible to agree an affordable repayment plan.
Before fixing, compare the total cost over the length of the deal and check any exit fees, since a fixed tariff is not protected by the cap if prices later fall.
What help is there if I am struggling?
If you are behind on your bills, Ofgem says your supplier must offer tailored help, flexible payment options and access to support services. Contact them early rather than waiting for debt to build.
You may also be able to join your supplier's Priority Services Register. Ofgem says this is open to people who have reached State Pension age, are pregnant or have young children, have a disability or long-term medical condition, struggle with speaking or reading English, or have had a recent change in circumstances such as a bereavement or losing their job. Services include priority support in an emergency, advance notice of planned power cuts where possible, and bills in large print or braille. Ask your energy supplier or network operator to join, and contact each supplier separately if gas and electricity come from different companies.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should I set my thermostat to?
The Energy Saving Trust suggests between 18°C and 21°C for most people. It estimates that turning down from 22°C to 21°C can save £120 a year in Great Britain.
Does the price cap limit how much I pay?
No. Ofgem's cap limits the unit rate and standing charge on default tariffs, not your total bill. Using more energy still means a higher bill.
Is turning things off standby really worth it?
Yes. The Energy Saving Trust estimates you can save around £45 a year in Great Britain just by switching appliances off standby.
Who can join the Priority Services Register?
Ofgem lists people of State Pension age, those who are pregnant or have young children, people with a disability or long-term condition, and people going through a change in circumstances, among others. Contact your supplier to join.
Sources
- Energy Saving Trust: Quick tips to save energy
- Energy Saving Trust: Save energy when using your washing machine
- Ofgem: Energy price cap explained
- Ofgem: Energy price cap will rise by 4% from October 2026
- Ofgem: Join your supplier's Priority Services Register
General information only. Savings are Energy Saving Trust estimates for a typical home in Great Britain and the price cap figure applies to October to December 2026; your own costs will vary.