How to Save Energy at Home and Cut Your Bills

There are many reasons to take control of your energy use.

Right now, UK energy bills are highly exposed to global markets. 

Small daily adjustments can make a significant impact on your utility bills.

Because of marginal pricing, expensive imported Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) often sets the baseline price for all gas on our grid. 

Furthermore, the costs to balance the UK electricity grid and manage congestion have quintupled, hitting £8 billion a year as of 2024/25.

The good news is that you don’t have to be at the mercy of the market.

From quick tweaks to long-term upgrades, here is how you can reduce your energy usage, cut your bills, and make your home more efficient.

Immediate, zero-cost changes

Step 1: Unplug energy vampires

Turning your TV off isn’t enough. Leaving non-essential appliances plugged in on standby wastes electricity. 

Unplugging devices like games consoles, microwaves, and chargers at the wall could save the average household £55 – 65 a year according to The Energy Saving Trust.

Step 2: Stop draughts

Even the best heating system is useless if you are losing heat. Identify draughts around windows and doors. Use thick curtains and draught excluders to keep the heat trapped inside.

Step 3: Turn down the thermostat

Turning up the thermostat is the fastest way to skyrocket your bills. Keep your home between 18 and 21°C for a comfortable environment that won’t waste energy.

Take control of your heating in the near future

Upgrading your heating controls ensures your boiler only works exactly when it needs to.

Room Thermostats

Usually placed in the hallway, thermostats tell your boiler to switch off automatically once your desired temperature is reached.

Smart Programmers

Smart devices give you unprecedented control over your heating, allowing you to set schedules remotely or automatically power down when you leave the house.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)

TRVs give you individual room comfort. 

You can turn down the radiators in empty rooms so you aren’t paying to heat spaces you don’t use. 

Installing TRVs and a thermostat could save you £70 – £150 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Weather Compensation

Weather compensation controls modulate your boiler’s flow temperature based on outdoor conditions, so it runs more efficiently rather than constantly cycling on and off. 

This could save you 5-10% on your energy bills.

Heating system maintenance

Step 1: Powerflush your system

Over time, a sludge called magnetite builds up in your pipes. A powerflush cleans this out. 

A clean system heats up far quicker, immediately improving efficiency and decreasing your fuel usage.

Step 2: Insulate your cylinder

If you have a vented or older hot water cylinder, it may lack insulation. 

Fitting a cheap polyurethane jacket will prevent energy loss, meaning your boiler uses less energy to reheat the water. 

Add loft and wall insulation to trap even more heat in your home.

Long-term investments

If you want to protect your home from future energy shocks and gain grid independence, consider these larger upgrades.

Upgrade your boiler

If your boiler is old, a modern condensing boiler will recover lost heat from cooling flue gases, making it significantly more efficient.

Heat pumps

AAir-source and ground-source heat pumps use a small amount of electricity to extract heat from the air or ground. 

This provides a highly efficient heating source with a typical efficiency of 300-400%.

Solar panels and battery storage

Installing rooftop solar panels allows you to generate your own power, drastically decreasing your reliance on the grid and cutting your bills by hundreds of pounds a year.

Affordable installations and cover from Hometree

At Hometree, we want to help you save money in both the short and long term.

Whether you need a new highly efficient boiler, want to explore heat pump and solar panel installations, or simply want the peace of mind that comes with comprehensive home or boiler cover, we can help.

Get in touch with us today to take control of your energy bills and invest in a greener future.