With the cost of living still rising, many households across the UK are searching for ways to reduce household bills without compromising comfort. With just a few simple changes to your home and habits, you can make significant savings on your energy bills.

 

In this guide, we’ll explore practical, budget-friendly ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency and help you take control of your utility costs.

 

Understand Your Energy Usage

 

Understanding how and when you use the most energy is the first step to saving it. Smart meters can help with this since they show exactly how much energy you’re using and what it costs in real time.

 

Use Your Heating Wisely

 

Heating usually makes up the biggest part of an energy bill, particularly in winter. Here’s how you can stay warm while saving money at the same time:

 

• Turning down your thermostat by just 1°C can save you up to £130 a year without feeling a noticeable difference in comfort
• Only heat the rooms you use regularly and consider turning radiators down or off in unused rooms
• Close doors between rooms and use draught excluders at the bottom of internal doors and around letterboxes to keep the heat in
  
• Fit radiator reflector panels to reflect heat back into the room instead of letting it escape through the walls

 

Trapped air can also make your radiators work less efficiently. If they feel cold at the top but warm at the bottom, it’s a clear sign they need bleeding. Regularly bleeding your radiators helps to maintain their efficiency and keeps your heating system running smoothly. 

 

Layer Up and Keep the Warmth In

 

Wearing layers , like thermal tops, thick socks, or a jumper, can help you stay warm without having to turn up the heating. Simple insulation measures around your home can also go a long way:

• Use thick curtains 
• Seal gaps around windows and doors using self-adhesive draught-proofing strips.
• Lay rugs on hard floors and wear thick slippers to keep your feet warm 

 

Be Smart in the Kitchen

 

Cooking can also use a lot of energy, but small tweaks can help cut costs:

• Only boil the water you need in the kettle 
• Cover your pans with lids when you're cooking to trap heat and reduce cooking time
• Batch cook meals and freeze the extra portions since reheating is more energy-efficient than cooking from scratch.
• Let your leftovers cool fully before storing in the fridge or freezer to reduce strain on your appliances.
• Defrost your freezer regularly because built-up ice reduces efficiency and costs more to run

 

Make the Most of the Daylight

 

• Open curtains wide during the day to let in natural light and passive warmth
• Turn off lights when you leave a room to avoid unnecessary energy use
• Switch to LED bulbs since they use up to 80% less energy and last much longer than traditional bulbs

 

Use Your Appliances Efficiently

 

• Wash your clothes at 30°C where possible – most modern detergents work well at lower temperatures
• Wait for full loads before running the washing machine or dishwasher
• Switch off or unplug appliances when you're not using them instead of leaving them on standby
• When it's sunny, dry your clothes outside instead of using the tumble dryer
• If you're drying clothes indoors, use a dehumidifier to prevent damp and mould 

 

Switching Suppliers

 

It's always worth checking whether you're on the best energy deal, especially if you've been with your provider for a long time.

You can use a comparison site or speak to Citizens Advice to see if switching could save you money. Some providers also offer support for older adults, including priority services or tailored tariffs.

 

 

 

Support Schemes

 

There are several government-backed schemes that can help reduce your energy costs:

• Winter Fuel Payment – for people born before a certain date to help with heating costs
• Cold Weather Payment – automatic payments made during long periods of cold weather
• Warm Home Discount – a one-off discount on your electricity bill if you're eligible
• Energy Company Obligation (ECO) – help with insulation and boiler upgrades via local councils or energy providers.

You can check eligibility and apply through GOV.UK.

 

HelpAlert Support

 

With energy bills rising, every adjustment helps – but peace of mind matters too.

HelpAlert’s personal alarm service supports older adults to live independently and confidently. With 24/7 access to our UK-based response team, fall detection and GPS tracking, you can feel safer at home and on the go.

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Explore our full range of features on our website or call 01273 055049 to speak to our friendly team.