A few years ago, we made the decision to replace all of our windows and doors. During the colder months here in the UK, gale-force winds would whistle through the gaps, condensation would stream down the windows, and our front door seemed to be letting out heat as quickly as we could generate it. In the end, I bit the bullet and had every window and door replaced at once. Honestly, it has been one of the best investments we’ve ever made.
Not only do I absolutely love our front door, but the new windows have made a huge difference to our home. They keep the warmth in during winter, allow proper ventilation throughout the year to reduce condensation, and block out outside noise so effectively that the whole house feels calmer and more peaceful.
That said, I know all too well that replacing windows and doors isn’t a realistic option for every family. It’s a significant expense. But if it’s something you’re able to do, it’s an investment that’s absolutely worth considering. Aside from major home improvements, there are plenty of smaller, proven ways to reduce energy usage around the home.
At this time of year, when the sun is shining and the days are longer, energy bills naturally feel more manageable. We don’t give them a second thought because we’re simply using less. But preparing now can help soften the blow when the typical UK autumn and winter weather inevitably arrives.
Although, before we talk about winter, can we all agree to savour every minute of sunshine while it’s here?
Some of these tips might sound familiar. You may have read them in countless other articles. Bear with me.
I’ve tried almost all of them myself, and I’m very much the type of person who thinks, “If we’re cold, let’s just put the heating on.”
Over the years, though, I’ve become much more mindful about energy consumption. Partly because of rising costs, but also because I genuinely want to do my bit. Even if our individual impact feels small, if millions of households make small changes, it all adds up.
These are the changes that have made the biggest difference for our family energy bill.
1. Turn the Thermostat Down by Just One Degree
It sounds far too simple to make a difference, but lowering your thermostat by just 1°C can reduce your heating costs without making your home feel noticeably colder.
We adapted surprisingly quickly.
In fact, I realised that climbing into a stifling hot bedroom at night wasn’t actually very comfortable. These days, we keep our home at around 20°C.
If you’re cold, layers really do help. I used to be terrible for letting the kids run around in shorts and T-shirts during winter because I’d rather turn the heating up than tell them to put a jumper on.
As someone who works from home at a desk all day, I do get chilly sometimes. Instead of heating the entire house, I’ve started using blankets and heated throws to keep myself warm.
Which leads me nicely on to…
2. Heat People, Not Empty Rooms
One of the biggest energy drains in many homes is heating rooms that aren’t actually being used. What’s the point in heating a spare bedroom all day? Or keeping the bathroom toasty warm when nobody is in there?
Keep doors closed in unused rooms and adjust your radiator settings where possible. There’s little sense in paying to heat empty spaces. For family movie nights or cosy evenings on the sofa, a heated throw blanket can provide warmth for a fraction of the cost of heating the entire house.
Our cats absolutely adored the heated blanket when they were still with us. As elderly girls, it gave them exactly the warmth they needed without us overheating the room.
I must admit, I’ll miss it this winter. There was nothing better than climbing into bed and warming my feet on a heated blanket before going to sleep. I may end up investing in another one, but for now we’ll share the one we’ve got downstairs.
3. Make the Most of Thermostatic Radiator Valves
We have these on all our radiators – sometimes the pin gets stuck – but they still work. I’m sure you can get smart ones these days. However, many homes already have standard thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) fitted and simply don’t use them effectively.
The idea is simple: keep bedrooms slightly cooler while maintaining a comfortable temperature in the rooms you spend most of your time in, such as the living room and kitchen.
It’s a small adjustment that can help reduce heating costs without sacrificing comfort.
4. Shorten Shower Times
We’re definitely bath people in this house, especially during winter. There’s nothing quite like sinking into a hot bath after a cold day. That said, for larger families, hot water usage can add up very quickly. Encouraging everyone to spend just a few minutes less in the shower can reduce both water and energy consumption.
Even small reductions become meaningful over the course of a year. Personally, I think there’s room for both. Mix up quick showers with the occasional long, hot bath. A good soak can work wonders for warming you up from the inside out.
5. Wash Clothes at 30°C
Modern detergents are designed to work brilliantly at lower temperatures. We’ve been using Tallow + Ash and washing at 30°C has had absolutely no impact on how clean our clothes come out.
For everyday washing, lower temperatures use less electricity while still keeping clothes fresh and clean.
6. Air-Dry Laundry Whenever Possible
Tumble dryers are among the most energy-hungry appliances in the home. Our bunny actually chewed through the tumble dryer cable a while ago, and honestly, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
We now use a heated clothes airer and I absolutely love it. If the weather allows, drying clothes outside is always the cheapest option. But let’s be realistic – winter in the UK isn’t exactly known for reliable drying weather.
For those colder months, a heated airer is the next best thing. I’ve linked to the exact one we have.
7. Replace Old Bulbs with LEDs
I’ve been doing this for years. We invested in Hive smart bulbs, but standard LED bulbs are just as effective when it comes to saving energy. They use significantly less electricity than older halogen bulbs and last much longer too.
You don’t need to replace every bulb overnight. Simply switch to LEDs as your existing bulbs reach the end of their lifespan.
8. Stop Heat Escaping Through Draughts
If replacing your windows and doors isn’t an option right now, draught-proofing can make a surprising difference. Simple draught excluders are inexpensive and can make rooms feel warmer almost immediately.
We also use thermal curtains in our living room and they’ve been fantastic. They do an incredible job of keeping warmth inside during the colder months. It’s one of those small changes that genuinely pays off.
9. Only Boil the Water You Need
I’ve been terrible for this in the past. I’d put the kettle on, get distracted, forget about it, then end up boiling it again when I remembered I was making a cuppa. Since giving up caffeine and with the warmer weather arriving, we’ve hardly used the kettle at all. I’ve genuinely noticed the difference.
It’s a tiny habit, but one that many of us overlook. Whether you’re making a cup of tea or filling a hot water bottle, only boiling the amount of water you actually need can save both energy and money over time.
10. Review Your Energy Tariff
I always keep an eye out for better deals because, unfortunately, loyalty doesn’t always pay.
I usually head to my TopCashback dashboard, compare energy offers and see whether there’s cashback available for switching suppliers.
Recently, I switched to EDF, earned £46 cashback and now have the option to refer friends and family, whereby whoever I refer gets £75 cashback and I bag £100. The same would apply once they switch. But the £75 and £100 deal is ending on thr 13th of July. Click here to find out more about the offer and switching to EDF.
When comparing tariffs, I always check my estimated annual usage, compare the unit rates and standing charges, and work out whether the savings are worthwhile. If the unit rate is lower and the standing charge isn’t significantly higher, I’m usually happy to switch.
It’s worth reviewing your tariff every so often to make sure you’re still getting the best deal for your household.
Small Changes Really Do Add Up
Individually, none of these changes will completely transform your energy bills. But together? They can make a noticeable difference.
For me, this isn’t always about saving money. It’s also about reducing waste. I don’t like the idea of wasting a resource that isn’t unlimited, especially when small changes can help us use it more responsibly.
When budgets are stretched, it’s easy to assume that only major home improvements will make a difference. In reality, many of the most effective energy-saving habits cost very little to implement. The key is consistency.
Saving a few pounds each week might not feel dramatic, but over the course of a year those small savings can add up to hundreds of pounds. That’s money that could go towards a family holiday, days out with the kids, savings goals, or simply making everyday life feel a little less expensive.
And right now, I think we could all do with a bit more of that.
