- 1. Replace old bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs
- 2. Switch appliances fully off instead of leaving them on standby
- 3. Turn your thermostat down by 1°C
- 4. Keep showers to four minutes and fit a water-efficient head
- 5. Upgrade to A-rated appliances when the old ones retire
- 6. Invest in a home solar panel system
- 7. Try time-of-use tariffs and run big loads off-peak
- 8. Monitor and track your energy usage
- 9. Seal windows and insulate drafty areas
- 10. Wash clothes at 30°C and cut one wash per week
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Top 10 Energy Saving Tips for UK Homes to Slash Costs in 2025
- 1. Replace old bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs
- 2. Switch appliances fully off instead of leaving them on standby
- 3. Turn your thermostat down by 1°C
- 4. Keep showers to four minutes and fit a water-efficient head
- 5. Upgrade to A-rated appliances when the old ones retire
- 6. Invest in a home solar panel system
- 7. Try time-of-use tariffs and run big loads off-peak
- 8. Monitor and track your energy usage
- 9. Seal windows and insulate drafty areas
- 10. Wash clothes at 30°C and cut one wash per week
- Conclusion
- FAQs
With energy prices soaring across the UK, finding ways to cut down on household bills has never felt more urgent. The good news? You don’t need to make drastic lifestyle changes or invest thousands in upgrades to start seeing a difference. By making a few smart tweaks around your home, you can save energy, lower your costs and do your bit for the environment.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 10 energy saving tips that are practical and easy to implement. Whether you’re renting a flat in London or managing a family home in the suburbs, there’s something here for you.
1. Replace old bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs
Lighting makes up a noticeable part of household electricity use, especially in homes with older fixtures. Replacing incandescent or halogen bulbs with LED alternatives is one of the easiest tips for saving energy that delivers immediate results.
LED bulbs use up to 80% less electricity and last much longer, which means fewer replacements and lower usage over time. They’re also available in a wide range of colour temperatures and brightness levels, so you won’t have to compromise on the feel of your space.
If you want to take it further, consider using motion sensors or smart lighting systems that turn off automatically when not in use.
2. Switch appliances fully off instead of leaving them on standby
Many devices—TVs, games consoles, kitchen gadgets, and chargers—continue to draw power even when they’re not in use, a phenomenon known as “phantom load” or standby power. Turning them off fully at the wall can save a typical household around £45 annually.
Standby saver plugs can make this even easier by cutting power to multiple devices with one button press. Nearly all appliances can be safely turned off at the plug without affecting their settings (fridges and freezers are the obvious exceptions).
3. Turn your thermostat down by 1°C
Heating accounts for a large portion of most UK households’ energy bills, especially during colder months. One of the most effective energy bills saving tips is to lower your thermostat by just 1°C. This simple change could save you around £100 or more a year, and you’ll likely barely notice the difference.
In addition, installing a smart thermostat, radiator valves, or other modern heating controls allows you to easily adjust temperatures and heat rooms only when necessary. Some AI systems even learn your habits over time, automatically adjusting settings to minimise waste.
4. Keep showers to four minutes and fit a water-efficient head
Dialling back shower time and swapping an old power head for a modern low-flow unit trims both hot-water energy and any metered-water charges. A small waterproof timer in the cubicle helps the whole household stick to the new routine, and the feel-good rinse stays the same.
5. Upgrade to A-rated appliances when the old ones retire
When a fridge-freezer, boiler, or washing machine finally gives up, replacing it with the most efficient model you can afford locks in savings every day for the next decade.
Modern A-rated white-goods use a fraction of the energy of mid-range units from even five years ago, and retailers often take the old appliance away for recycling.
6. Invest in a home solar panel system
If you’re wondering how to save energy, installing a solar panel system is the long-term way to take control of your electricity costs. By generating your own energy during the day, you can rely less on the grid, protect yourself from rising tariffs, and even earn money by exporting surplus electricity through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
Yes, the initial cost may seem substantial, but you can typically expect to break even within 8 to 15 years, even on today’s tariffs. After that, every kilowatt-hour of energy your solar panels generate is essentially ‘free.’
Don’t have a suitable roof? The EcoFlow STREAM Solar System bundles a high-efficiency micro-inverter (800W) with your choice of rigid panel sets from 2 x 400W and 2 x 450W to 2 x 520W or 4 x 250W, plus nine mounting options—hooks for balcony railings, ballast brackets for gardens, wall kits and more—so renters, flat-owners and detached-home DIY-ers all get a workable fit.
The inverter wakes up with just 3W of sunlight, meaning it keeps producing in dawn, dusk and overcast conditions. Panels use bifacial or TopCon cells for >23 % efficiency and carry IP68 ratings, while the inverter itself is IP67-sealed against rain.
Everything reports to the EcoFlow app: an AI assistant watches your usage patterns and can nudge the system to maximise self-consumption.
If you want to bank excess solar for the evening peak, check out the EcoFlow STREAM Series Solar Plant. This series is designed to seamlessly integrate with your existing solar setup, providing scalable energy storage that ranges from 1.92 kWh to 11.52 kWh. It also supports solar input capacities from 2 kW to 12 kW, ensuring that it can grow with your needs over time.
With its stable 2,300W output and 99% compatibility with most solar panels, the EcoFlow STREAM ensures reliable power delivery, whether you're storing energy for the evening peak or running household appliances throughout the day. The system also features AI-driven optimization via the EcoFlow app, which dynamically adjusts energy flow based on day-ahead prices or time-of-use tariffs, helping you maximize savings and efficiency.
By integrating both an energy storage system and microinverter into a single, compact unit, the EcoFlow STREAM Series offers easy plug-and-play installation. This makes it an ideal choice for homeowners who already have solar panels but want a cost-effective solution for energy storage and management, enabling complete energy independence.
EcoFlow STREAM Series Solar Plant
7. Try time-of-use tariffs and run big loads off-peak
If your energy supplier offers time-of-use tariffs like Economy 7, switching to one and running power-hungry tasks—like washing, drying, or charging your EV—outside of peak evening hours can knock a noticeable slice off your bill.
A modern washing machine or dishwasher already has a delay-start button; pair that with your off-peak window and you’ll save without lifting a finger.
For older appliances without this feature, a simple smart timer plug lets you schedule them to switch on overnight.
8. Monitor and track your energy usage
When you can see exactly where your electricity goes, cutting waste becomes much simpler. A smart meter gives you a live read-out of household demand, while energy tracking apps break that data into clear hourly patterns.
Plug-in energy monitors let you calculate electricity bill costs for individual appliances, so you’ll know if the tumble dryer is spiking your usage or if standby devices are draining more than expected. Once you understand your energy habits, it’s easier to target the biggest culprits and make changes that lead to real savings.
9. Seal windows and insulate drafty areas
Small gaps around doors and windows let warm or cool air escape quickly, forcing your system to work harder to maintain the temperature. Sealing windows, door frames, and attic access points helps keep air inside where it belongs.
Simple solutions like weather stripping, caulk, or thermal curtains can improve insulation quickly and affordably. If you feel a breeze near windows when they’re closed or notice uneven room temperatures, these are signs that air is leaking.
Adding insulation in lofts or cavity walls can also create long-term savings by reducing the demand on your heating system during cold months.
10. Wash clothes at 30°C and cut one wash per week
Another one of the easiest home energy saving tips is to run your washing machine at 30°C rather than higher temperatures. This simple change can reduce energy consumption significantly while still keeping your clothes clean. Most modern detergents are designed to work effectively at cooler settings, making this a simple change with real savings.
You can also reduce the number of loads you run by washing full loads instead of half loads. When possible, air-dry your clothes rather than using a tumble dryer, especially during warmer months.
Regular maintenance, like cleaning the filter and checking for efficiency settings, can make your washer even more economical over time.
Conclusion
Cutting your energy usage doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With these energy saving tips, you can take control of your bills and make your home more efficient one step at a time. From turning off appliances and cutting shower time to producing and storing your own solar energy, each change contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle. Start small, stay consistent and you’ll soon notice the savings add up, not just in pounds, but in peace of mind too.
FAQs
What are the best energy saving tips?
To save energy at home, start with changes like switching to LED lighting and upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, especially those rated A for optimal energy use. Enhance your home’s insulation in walls, lofts, and floors to retain heat during winter, reducing the need for excessive heating. Also, check for draughts and seal them with draught excluders on doors and windows.
Adjust your thermostat by lowering it by just one degree to save on heating costs, and remember to unplug devices when not in use to avoid wasting power on standby. For a more significant impact, consider installing a solar panel system to start generating your own green electricity.
How to use less gas and electric?
To reduce gas and electricity consumption, focus on using energy-efficient appliances with high energy ratings. If you’re on a time-of-use energy tariff, such as Economy 7, schedule energy-intensive tasks, like washing laundry or charging your electric vehicle, during off-peak hours when rates are cheaper.
Ensure your heating system is maintained and regularly serviced for optimal performance. Also, make use of smart meters or energy monitoring systems to track your usage and adjust accordingly. Small daily adjustments like lowering your thermostat or unplugging appliances when they’re not in use can lead to significant savings on both gas and electricity.
What wastes the most energy in a house?
The biggest energy wasters in a home are often heating, hot water usage, and inefficient appliances. Inefficient heating systems or homes with poor insulation can cause heat loss, leading to high energy bills. Hot water, used for showers, baths, and washing, is another major contributor to high energy consumption.
Appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers also use considerable amounts of electricity, especially when used frequently. Lastly, lighting that is left on unnecessarily or old incandescent bulbs can contribute significantly to energy waste. By improving insulation, using energy-efficient appliances, and changing habits, you can reduce these wastes effectively.
What uses the most electricity at night?
At night, the biggest electricity users in most homes are appliances that run continuously or on standby. Fridges and freezers account for a significant share as they keep working around the clock. Other common culprits include electric heaters, water heaters, and storage heaters if you’re on an Economy 7 tariff.
Devices left on standby—like TVs, set-top boxes, and routers—also draw small amounts of power that add up over time. Charging phones, laptops, or electric vehicles overnight can further increase usage. To reduce night-time consumption, switch off unused devices at the plug and schedule heavy appliances for off-peak hours on time-of-use tariffs.