Many Brits are grappling with elevated energy costs this winter following Ofgem’s latest price cap adjustment in January. Whilst the increase was modest at just 0.2% from the prior figure, it represents a £20 rise compared to the January-March 2025 period, with typical households now facing bills of £1,758.
For those seeking methods to reduce electricity expenditure in response, help is at hand. Various organisations including the Energy Saving Trust, EDF Energy, and Octopus Energy have provided straightforward cost-cutting strategies to adopt at home.
One practical recommendation from the Energy Saving Trust involves making a simple adjustment to how you use kitchen appliances, especially kettles. Though straightforward, estimates indicate that it could deliver annual savings of £10 in Great Britain or £12 in Northern Ireland.
In an online blog, the Energy Saving Trust explains: “Kettles are one of the most used appliances in the kitchen, especially during big TV and sports events. But many people often boil the kettle with more water than they need. Avoid overfilling the kettle and you can save yourself £10 a year in GB and £12 in NI on your electricity bill.”
Additionally, the Trust recommends considering the installation of an aerator on your kitchen tap. These compact devices feature minuscule perforations that reduce water flow whilst maintaining washing and rinsing effectiveness.
In turn, the Trust continues: “It’s relatively cheap, easy to install and could save you £20 a year in GB and £18 in NI.” For more information, head to the Energy Saving Trust’s website here.
What other steps can I take to reduce my energy bills?
For more substantial savings, both EDF Energy and Octopus Energy have recommended identifying heat leaks and sealing these gaps with draught excluders or insulation.
In an online guide on ‘simple investments to help save money‘, EDF Energy has explained: “Block gaps where heat escapes and cold air gets in; you’ll prevent heat loss and keep your home warm. There are a number of places where you can prevent draughts. Draught-proofing your chimney alone could save you around £60 a year.“
Likewise, Octopus Energy has similarly explained: “A continuous draught can quickly undo all the good work of your heating – essentially wasting energy.
“If cold draughts are ignored, your heating has to work harder to keep you warm, increasing your energy bills and your carbon footprint… and no one wants that. Professional draught-proofing can save you around £85 a year on your energy bills, but this service can cost around £250.”
Thermal imaging devices are particularly effective for detecting where heat is escaping from homes, as they operate by sensing surface temperatures. With these gadgets, homeowners can identify the warmest areas, indicated in red, and the coldest, shown in blue.
Tackling typical areas where heat escapes, such as windows, doors, and skirting boards, can help maintain warmth in your property for longer periods, reducing the need to turn up the thermostat.
Those interested in using a thermal camera will discover that numerous local authorities provide them free of charge. The London Library of Things also hires out thermal cameras for just £15 daily, according to Which?. Many Octopus Energy customers can also access these cameras, although the company’s initiative is currently paused for now.
Additional advice from Octopus Energy adds: “We genuinely want to help our customers be more energy efficient. It’s simply the right thing to do, not only because it keeps your bills low, but because it’s better for the environment as well.
“We’ve sent our cameras out to nearly 5,000 customers over the last few years, and we’re absolutely honoured that so many customers have told us that the camera loan has helped them practically identify how to save heat in their home.
“Right now, saving gas is more important than ever, with millions of UK households left struggling to pay record-high energy bills. For Winter 2025, we’ve prioritised camera loans for those who need it most.”
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