Practical ways to cut UK home energy costs in 2026
Energy prices may have eased slightly, but many UK households will still feel the pinch in 2026. The good news: there are simple, practical changes you can make right now to cut your home energy costs without sacrificing comfort.
On this page we walk you through proven, UK-specific ways to reduce gas and electricity use, from quick wins you can do this weekend to long-term upgrades that pay you back year after year. Wherever you live in the UK — flat, terrace, semi or detached — you will find steps you can take today.
Start cutting your energy bills this month
Every home is different. The fastest route to lower bills is a personalised plan based on your property, usage and current tariff. Answer a few quick questions and our team will help you prioritise the best savings for 2026 and beyond.
- Find out which improvements will save you most.
- See if you qualify for grants or support schemes.
- Get no-obligation guidance from UK energy experts.
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Quick wins to reduce your home energy costs in 2026
1. Take control of your thermostat
In many UK homes, heating is still the single biggest driver of energy bills. Turning your thermostat down by just 1°C can trim your heating costs by around 5–10%, depending on your property and boiler efficiency.
- Aim for 18–20°C in living areas, a little cooler in bedrooms.
- Use a seven-day programmer so you are not heating an empty home.
- Set the heating to come on 20–30 minutes before you need it and off 30 minutes before you go out or to bed.
2. Use radiator valves properly
If you have thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs), they can significantly reduce wasted heat — but only if they are set correctly.
- Turn TRVs down in hallways, spare rooms and areas you don't use often.
- Keep them higher in living rooms and bathrooms you use regularly.
- Avoid covering radiators with furniture or long curtains that trap heat.
3. Eliminate draughts
Many UK homes, especially older properties, lose significant heat through gaps around doors, floorboards, letterboxes and loft hatches.
- Fit draught excluders to external doors and the letterbox.
- Use sealant or foam strips around leaky window frames.
- Insulate and properly latch the loft hatch to reduce warm air escaping.
4. Smarter use of hot water
Hot water accounts for a sizeable chunk of many UK gas and electricity bills, particularly in homes with older cylinders or electric showers.
- Reduce shower time to 4–5 minutes where possible.
- Fit an efficient shower head if you have a combi boiler or gravity-fed system.
- Set hot water cylinders to 60°C — hot enough for safety, not so hot you have to add lots of cold.
5. Cut standby and vampire power
Devices left on standby still draw power. Across TVs, games consoles, routers, smart speakers and chargers, this can add up.
- Use smart plugs or switched extension leads for TVs and media areas.
- Unplug chargers when not in use.
- Check your fridge and freezer door seals so they close tightly.
6. Use appliances efficiently
- Wash clothes at 30°C where possible and always with a full load.
- Air-dry laundry instead of using the tumble dryer whenever you can.
- Only boil the water you need in the kettle and keep lids on pans.
Bigger home upgrades that pay off in 2026 and beyond
Once the quick wins are in place, the next step is improving your home's fabric and heating system. These changes require more up-front investment but can lock in major long-term savings.
Upgrade your insulation
Effective insulation keeps heat where you want it — inside your home. Many UK properties still have inadequate loft, cavity or solid wall insulation.
- Loft insulation: Aim for at least 270mm total depth. Topping up can be one of the fastest paying investments.
- Cavity wall insulation: Ideal for many post-1920s homes with unfilled cavity walls.
- Solid wall insulation: More costly, but crucial for older solid-wall properties to cut heat loss.
Well-installed insulation improves comfort as well as cutting bills, reducing draughts and cold spots.
High-performing windows and doors
Modern, well-sealed double or triple glazing and insulated external doors reduce heat loss, condensation and outside noise.
- Look for energy-rated windows appropriate for the UK climate.
- Consider secondary glazing for listed or heritage properties.
- Replace damaged or warped external doors that let heat leak out.
Upgrade your boiler or heating system
If your gas boiler is more than 10–12 years old, it may be costing you far more than it should. Modern systems get more heat from every unit of gas.
- Modern condensing boilers can be significantly more efficient than older models.
- Smart heating controls allow room-by-room schedules and remote control via smartphone.
- Heat pumps are an increasingly attractive low-carbon option for well-insulated homes.
Generate your own clean energy
Solar technology has become more affordable and efficient. In 2026, many households can benefit from onsite generation.
- Solar PV panels generate electricity from daylight, reducing what you buy from the grid.
- Battery storage can store excess solar for evening use, increasing your self-consumption.
- Solar hot water can contribute to your domestic hot water needs.
Payback times vary by region, roof orientation and energy prices, so a tailored assessment is essential.
Smarter meters, smarter tariffs, smarter homes
2026 brings more flexible tariffs and smarter devices designed to help you use energy when it is cheaper and greener.
Smart meters and in-home displays
A smart meter sends automatic readings to your supplier and works with an in-home display to show your real-time gas and electricity use in pounds and pence.
- Track which appliances use the most energy.
- Spot unusual spikes that could signal a fault.
- Budget better with accurate, not estimated, bills.
Time-of-use and agile tariffs
As the UK grid becomes smarter, more suppliers offer tariffs with lower prices at off-peak times.
- Run dishwashers, washing machines and EV chargers when rates are lower.
- Use smart plugs or built-in timers to automate off-peak use.
- Combine with solar and batteries to maximise savings.
Smart heating and connected home tech
Smart thermostats, zoned controls and connected radiators give you room-by-room control and insight into how you heat your home.
- Control heating from your phone when plans change.
- Create heating schedules that match your routine.
- Avoid heating unused rooms or the whole house all day.
UK grants, schemes and support that can help in 2026
Government policy changes regularly, but there are often grants, low-cost finance and targeted support available to help UK households improve energy efficiency or manage bills.
Check your eligibility for financial help
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to access:
- Support with insulation, heating upgrades or heat pumps.
- Discounts or support for low-income or vulnerable households.
- Help for off-gas homes that rely on oil, LPG or electric heating.
The criteria and scheme names evolve over time, so it is vital to check the latest information rather than relying on outdated advice.
Why independent guidance matters
With dozens of tariffs, technologies and installers to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start — and easy to over- or under-invest in the wrong improvements.
- Prioritise measures that suit your property type and usage.
- Avoid spending thousands on upgrades that give minimal savings.
- Build a phased plan that fits your budget and future plans.
That is where Energy Plus can help, combining up-to-date market knowledge with practical, no-nonsense advice.
Room-by-room checklist to cut energy use at home
Use this simple checklist to spot opportunities in every part of your home.
Living room
- Bleed radiators to improve performance.
- Use thick curtains and close them at dusk.
- Switch TVs and consoles fully off overnight.
Kitchen
- Only run the dishwasher when full.
- Keep fridge between 3–5°C and freezer at −18°C.
- Use pan lids and match hob size to pan base.
Bedrooms
- Set TRVs slightly lower than living spaces.
- Use warm bedding to allow cooler night temperatures.
- Seal draughts around windows and floorboards.
Bathroom
- Fit a water-saving shower head where suitable.
- Use extractor fans only when needed, not continuously.
- Keep baths for occasional use; favour shorter showers.
Why UK households choose Energy Plus
We specialise in helping UK households understand their energy use and cut their costs, without compromising comfort or safety. Our advice is practical, evidence-based and always tailored to your home.
- Independent insight into tariffs, technologies and installers.
- Up-to-date expertise on UK energy prices and policy changes.
- Step-by-step plans that break big goals into manageable actions.
Whether you are renting a small flat or owning a large family home, we can help you build a realistic, affordable route to lower energy bills in 2026 and beyond.
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