The Best Way to Cut Home Energy Usage in the United Kingdom

If you feel your gas and electricity costs are creeping up month after month, you're not alone. Millions of UK households are looking for reliable ways to reduce energy usage without sacrificing comfort. The good news is that most homes can cut 10–30% off their annual bill with low-cost changes and better controls.

Below you'll find a practical plan you can follow in any home — whether you own, rent, live in a flat or a house. You can pick the steps that fit your budget and do them in stages.

• Heating and hot water — usually 50–60% of your total bill
• Appliances and lighting — around 20–30%
• Cooking — around 10–15%
• Standby and always-on devices — up to 10%

That means the most effective way to cut your energy usage is to improve how you heat your home, manage hot water and run your appliances. Small actions in these areas add up to noticeable savings.

1. Optimise Your Thermostat Settings

• Set your main thermostat to 18–20°C. For many households, every degree above 20°C can add around 10% to heating costs.
• Use a timer so heating only runs when you need it — typically in the morning and evening.
• Avoid constant “on” mode in milder weather; use “auto” or “programmed” schedules instead.

Small changes to temperature and timing can reduce your gas usage substantially without noticeably changing how your home feels.

2. Install and Use Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)

TRVs let you set different temperatures in different rooms. This means you don’t waste energy heating rarely-used spaces.

• Keep living areas at a comfortable 18–20°C.
• Set bedrooms slightly cooler at around 16–18°C.
• Turn TRVs down low in spare rooms and hallways.

Fitting TRVs can be a quick job for a plumber and normally pays back through lower gas usage within a few heating seasons.

4. Tackle Draughts First (Low-Cost, High Impact)

Cold draughts force your boiler to work harder and make rooms feel chilly even at higher thermostat settings.

• Use draught excluders on the bottoms of doors.
• Fit self-adhesive strips around window and door frames.
• Seal up gaps around pipework and floorboards where safe to do so.
• Use letterbox covers and keyhole covers on external doors.

These low-cost products are widely available and can usually be installed without a tradesperson.

5. Improve Insulation Where You Can

Better insulation keeps heat in for longer. Depending on your property type, consider:

• Loft insulation — often the most cost-effective upgrade; aim for at least 270mm depth.
• Cavity wall insulation — suitable for many post-1920s properties.
• Floor insulation — especially over unheated spaces like garages or cellars.
• Upgraded glazing — secondary glazing, or heavy, lined curtains as a budget alternative.

These measures reduce how often your heating system has to run, cutting both your gas use and your carbon footprint.

6. Use Washing Machines and Dishwashers Efficiently

• Wash at 30°C where possible — modern detergents work well at lower temperatures.
• Always run full loads rather than several half loads.
• Use eco modes to reduce energy and water consumption.
• Avoid using tumble dryers when you can air-dry clothes instead.

Drying clothes on an airer in a well-ventilated room or outside (when possible) can dramatically cut electricity consumption compared to a tumble dryer.

7. Switch to Low-Energy Lighting

Lighting is a straightforward area to improve:

• Replace old incandescent or halogen bulbs with LED bulbs.
• Choose warm white LEDs for living areas and cool white for task lighting.
• Use lamps with focused light rather than over-lighting whole rooms.

LEDs can use up to 80% less electricity than traditional bulbs and last much longer, reducing both usage and replacement costs.

8. Eliminate Standby Waste and “Always-On” Devices

Many devices use electricity even when you are not actively using them.

• Turn TVs, games consoles and set-top boxes off at the wall when not in use.
• Use smart extension leads that cut power to peripherals when the main device is turned off.
• Unplug chargers that aren’t charging anything.
• Check settings on devices like routers and printers to ensure energy-saving modes are enabled.

Individually these savings seem small, but over a year they add up, especially in homes with lots of electronics.

9. Choose Efficient Appliances When You Replace

When it’s time to replace major appliances, choose the most efficient model you can reasonably afford:

• Look for high energy ratings (e.g. A-rated under the new label system).
• Check estimated annual kWh usage on the energy label to compare models.
• Prioritise efficiency for fridges, freezers, washing machines and tumble dryers, as they run most often.

Although efficient appliances can cost a little more upfront, the lower running costs usually pay back over their lifetime.

10. Use Hot Water Wisely

• Showers instead of baths typically use less hot water.
• Install efficient shower heads to reduce water flow without affecting comfort.
• If you have a hot water cylinder, make sure it’s well-insulated with a jacket.
• Set cylinder thermostats to around 60°C — hot enough for hygiene, but not excessive.

Shorter showers, reduced flow and proper insulation all help lower your gas or electricity usage for hot water.

11. Cook More Efficiently

• Use pan lids to keep heat in and speed up cooking times.
• Match hob size to pan size to avoid wasting heat.
• Use microwaves, air fryers or slow cookers for smaller meals rather than heating a full oven.
• Cook in batches and reheat rather than using the oven for a single item.

These simple habits can reduce the electricity or gas needed for everyday meals, especially in busy households.

12. Make the Most of Your Smart Meter

Most UK homes are now eligible for a smart meter. Once installed, use the in-home display to:

• See your current usage in pounds and pence.
• Spot unusual spikes when particular appliances are running.
• Compare daily and weekly patterns to track improvements.

Simply seeing the impact of your habits in real time is often enough to inspire lasting changes.

13. Set Realistic Targets and Review Monthly

To keep your progress on track:

• Set a target of cutting usage by 5–10% over the next 12 months.
• Compare your monthly bills year-on-year to allow for seasonal changes.
• Adjust your plan as you discover which actions have the biggest impact.

Reviewing your usage regularly makes it easier to stay motivated and continue improving.

Energy prices in the UK have been volatile, and many households are paying much more for gas and electricity than they did just a few years ago. While you can’t control the market, you can control how much energy you use.

Reducing your usage helps you:

• Lower your monthly bills and protect against further price rises.
• Make your home more comfortable with fewer cold spots and draughts.
• Cut your carbon emissions and support the UK’s net zero goals.
• Increase your property’s value by improving its energy performance rating.

Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, taking control of your energy usage is one of the most effective ways to improve your household finances. Even small changes, repeated day after day, can add up to substantial savings over the course of a year.

If you’re unsure where to start, focusing on heating and insulation almost always delivers the biggest impact, especially in older UK properties.