UK Home Energy Cost Saving Tips for 2026
Practical, up-to-date advice to cut your gas and electricity bills in 2026 while making your home warmer, more efficient and future-ready.
The July 2026 price cap rise — and how to beat it
The cheapest 12-month fixed deals on our live panel are typically priced below the £1,663 cap, several with no exit fees — run your postcode through the comparison on this page for today's exact prices.
Remember the cap limits unit rates and standing charges, not your total bill — so the more you use, the more the rise costs you. Here are the headline capped rates:
| Fuel | Unit rate | Standing charge |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 26.11p/kWh | 57.19p/day |
| Gas | 7.33p/kWh | 29.04p/day |
GB direct-debit average; regional and payment-method variations apply.
Start the new cap period with a lower energy bill
Energy prices remain unpredictable across the UK, but you have more control than you might think. The single biggest saving for most homes right now is switching to a fixed tariff that undercuts the £1,663 cap — then layering on quick DIY fixes, smarter habits and longer-term efficiency upgrades.
This guide walks you through the most effective energy-saving steps for UK homes, in order of impact and affordability. Use it as a checklist to plan improvements for the year ahead.
- Switch to a cheaper fixed deal and pay by direct debit
- Cut wasted heat with insulation and draught-proofing
- Optimise your boiler, radiators and heating controls
- Use EV / off-peak tariffs and smart tech to reduce usage
Tip: Combine a cheaper tariff with several small changes and one or two bigger upgrades for the strongest long-term savings.
Compare tariffs & get tailored advice
Answer a few quick questions and we'll help you find a cheaper deal and the best energy-saving options for your property, budget and timeline.
Cheapest fixed energy tariffs in June 2026
With the capped variable tariff heading to £1,663, every one of the fixed deals below is cheaper. Fixing protects you from the July rise and any further increases this winter. Switching is free, takes about five working days, and you can switch even without a smart meter.
| Tariff | Typical dual-fuel cost/yr | Exit fee |
|---|---|---|
| OVO 2-year Fixed | £1,705 | Check tariff |
| British Gas Fixed | £1,719 | Check tariff |
Versus the £1,663 July cap, the cheapest fixes save roughly £230-£260 a year. If you want flexibility to move again later, the zero-exit-fee Octopus deal is worth a close look. Always weigh unit rate, standing charge, contract length, exit fees and service — not just the headline price.
Quick wins you can complete in a weekend
Once you're on a cheaper tariff, these low-cost improvements stack up. Many pay for themselves within a year.
1. Pay by direct debit & turn the thermostat down 1°C
Monthly direct debit gets you the lowest capped unit rates. Turning your room thermostat down by just 1°C (say 21°C to 20°C) can cut heating use by around 10% — roughly £90 a year — while keeping your home comfortable.
2. Lower your boiler flow temperature
Drop a combi boiler's flow temperature to around 55–60°C so it condenses properly. In many homes this saves £100–£150 a year with no loss of comfort, provided your radiators still warm the rooms.
3. Draught-proof doors, windows and floors
- Self-adhesive draught strips around doors and windows
- Brush or flap seals on letterboxes and keyholes
- Flexible fillers around floorboards and skirting
4. Fit LED bulbs in every room
LED lighting uses up to 80% less electricity than old halogen or incandescent bulbs and lasts much longer. Swap frequently used lights first: kitchen, living room and hallway.
5. Smart use of appliances
- Wash clothes at 30°C where possible; modern detergents work well at lower temperatures.
- Fill the dishwasher and washing machine before running them.
- Only boil the water you need and air-dry laundry when you can.
EV & off-peak tariffs: the biggest single saving
If you drive an electric car or can shift flexible usage overnight, an EV/off-peak tariff can transform your electricity costs. Charge your car, run the washing machine and dishwasher, and pre-heat water in the cheap window.
| Tariff | Off-peak rate |
|---|---|
| Octopus Intelligent Go (23:30–05:30, ~£771/yr EV saving) | 7p/kWh |
| E.ON Next Drive (cheapest headline night rate) | ~6.7p/kWh |
| OVO Charge Anytime | ~7p/kWh |
| British Gas Electric Driver | ~8.95p/kWh |
More low-cost, high-impact tweaks
- Radiator reflectors behind radiators on external walls reduce heat loss in older homes.
- Thick, lined curtains closed at dusk keep heat in through the glass.
- Seal unused chimneys with a chimney balloon (keeping ventilation safe).
- Smart plugs with energy monitoring cut standby waste from media centres and consoles.
Weekend energy-saving checklist
- Switch to a cheaper fixed tariff & pay by direct debit
- Turn the thermostat down 1°C and lower the boiler flow temp
- Fit draught strips and replace old bulbs with LEDs
- Install radiator reflectors on outside walls
- Check curtains/blinds close fully at night
Plan bigger upgrades for deeper, long-term savings
Bigger projects normally require more planning and investment, but they can cut your energy bills for decades and significantly improve your EPC rating. In many cases, support is available through national or local schemes.
Upgrade your insulation
Insulation is still one of the best-value ways to reduce heat loss in a UK home.
Loft insulation
Most homes should have at least 270mm of loft insulation. Topping up from bare boards can save around £300–£400 a year on heating and is one of the quickest-payback measures.
Cavity wall insulation
Many houses built after the 1920s have cavity walls that can be filled. Properly installed, cavity wall insulation can substantially cut heating demand and improve comfort.
Solid wall insulation
Older solid wall properties lose heat much faster. Internal or external wall insulation is a larger project but can transform comfort levels and running costs.
Tip: Check your EPC or ask a professional surveyor to confirm what insulation you already have before investing.
Upgrade your boiler or move to a heat pump
If your gas or oil boiler is more than 10–12 years old, it's likely to be less efficient than modern models.
High-efficiency condensing boilers
Modern A-rated condensing boilers turn more of your fuel into usable heat. Combining a new boiler with the right controls and balanced radiators maximises savings.
Heat pumps
Air source or ground source heat pumps are increasingly popular across the UK, especially in well-insulated homes. They use electricity to move heat rather than generate it from fuel, which can cut carbon emissions and running costs when used correctly.
Important: Heat pumps work best with lower flow temperatures and may require larger radiators or underfloor heating. Always get advice from an installer experienced with UK homes like yours.
Install smart heating controls
Smart thermostats and radiator valves give you far more control over when and where you heat your home.
- Smart thermostats let you schedule heating from your phone, adapt to your routine and avoid heating an empty home — typically a 5–15% heating saving.
- Smart TRVs (thermostatic radiator valves) control individual rooms, so you only heat the spaces you use.
In many UK homes, smart controls cut gas use by avoiding unnecessary heating, especially in spare rooms or during work hours.
Solar panels, batteries & export payments
Solar PV systems generate clean electricity on your roof, helping offset daytime usage and protect you from future price rises. Add a battery to store excess power or soak up cheap off-peak electricity.
You can also be paid for electricity you export to the grid via a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff. The best June 2026 export rates include:
- Octopus Intelligent Flux up to 32.17p/kWh (needs a battery + Octopus import tariff)
- Octopus Flux peak 29.32p/kWh
- Good Energy Solar Savings Exclusive 25p/kWh flat
- EDF Export Exclusive 12m V2 24p/kWh
- British Gas Export & Earn Plus 15.1p/kWh; Ecotricity 8.9p/kWh
Open-market variable export rates sit around 5–7p/kWh, so it pays to compare.
Grants, schemes and support to explore in 2026
Support schemes change regularly, so it's worth checking what's currently available when you're ready to take action. In 2026, households may be able to benefit from a mix of UK-wide and local programmes such as:
Energy efficiency and heating support
- Boiler and heating upgrade schemes that support low-carbon heating in suitable homes.
- Home insulation programmes focused on low-income or fuel-poor households.
- Local authority schemes targeting specific postcodes or housing types.
Eligibility often depends on income, benefits, property type and existing insulation levels. Always check official UK Government and devolved nation websites for the latest guidance.
Bill support and tariff options
- Priority services registers for vulnerable customers.
- Discount and rebate schemes that reduce bills for eligible households.
- Time-of-use tariffs that reward shifting electricity use to off-peak periods.
If you're unsure where to start, an impartial adviser or local energy advice centre can help you understand which schemes apply to your situation in 2026.
Build your personal 2026 home energy action plan
Not sure which measures are right for your home, or in what order to tackle them? Share a few details and we'll help you find a cheaper tariff and prioritise the most cost-effective steps.
Key takeaways for saving home energy in 2026
- The cheapest 12-month fixed deals on our live panel are typically priced below the £1,663 cap, several with no exit fees — run your postcode through the comparison on this page for today's exact prices.
- Pay by direct debit, turn the thermostat down 1°C (~£90/yr) and lower your boiler flow temp (~£100–£150/yr).
- If you drive an EV or can shift usage overnight, use a 7p off-peak tariff like Intelligent Octopus Go.
- Plan bigger upgrades — insulation, smart controls, new heating, solar with SEG export — over a realistic timeline.
- Check regularly for grants and local schemes and use smart meters to track usage.
Switching is free, takes about five working days, and you can switch even without a smart meter — the cap is a unit-rate cap, not a total-bill cap. Taking action in 2026 can deliver immediate savings and long-term comfort for years to come.
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