How to lower your energy bills in the UK
A no-nonsense, ranked list of what actually reduces UK energy bills — biggest wins first.
Plenty of energy-saving advice is trivial. Here's what genuinely cuts bills, ranked by impact.
1. Insulate the roof and walls
Loft and cavity wall insulation tackle the biggest heat losses. Start here.
2. Upgrade an old boiler
A modern A-rated boiler wastes far less fuel than an old non-condensing one.
3. Control your heating
Thermostat, timer, TRVs and ideally a smart thermostat — heat only when and where you need it.
4. Draught-proof
Cheap and effective: seal gaps around doors, windows, floors and the loft hatch.
5. Smaller habits
Bleed radiators, close curtains at dusk, drop the thermostat a degree, and check your tariff.
The principle
Fabric first — stop the heat escaping before you spend on anything else. Every later step works better in a well-insulated home.
Start with what's free
Before spending anything, work through the free wins: turn the thermostat down a degree, bleed your radiators, switch devices off standby, and set your heating timer to match when you're actually home. These cost nothing and start saving immediately — see our full 50 ways to save energy guide for the complete list.
Then invest where it counts
- Loft and cavity wall insulation — the biggest, longest-lasting savings.
- An efficient modern boiler.
- Smart controls to avoid heating an empty home.