Save money on your energy bills

Keeping warm in winter

You can feel the cold indoors as well as out, so it's important to stay warm in your home.

• Keep moving. Staying active isn’t just good for your general fitness, it also generates heat and helps keep you warm. Walk around your home, make yourself a hot drink, and spread your chores throughout the day. Chair-based exercises and simply moving your arms and legs are helpful if walking is difficult.
• Eat well. Hot meals and drinks throughout the day help keep you warm. It’s a good idea to have a hot drink before bed and keep one in a flask by your bedside.
• Dress for warmth. Several thin layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thick layer, as the layers trap warm air. Always wear gloves, a hat and a scarf when you go out in cold weather, even for short intervals.
• Keep your home heated. The recommended temperature for your main living room is around 21C (70F) and the rest of your home should be heated to at least 18C.
• Keep warm at night by using a hot-water bottle or electric blanket in bed, but never use the two together as this can be dangerous.
• Check when bad weather is forecast. Check local news and weather forecasts for advice, or visit the Met Office website.

Download our Winter wrapped up guide for more helpful tips on keeping warm.

Make sure you're prepared for bad weather

Keeping your home warm

Becoming energy efficient at home can cut your fuel bills. This doesn’t have to mean making big changes – small measures can save you money too. 

• Installing loft insulation of around 270mm could save you around £145 a year.
• Installing letter box covers or draught excluders can make your home warmer. Draught-proofing could save you up to £25 a year. 
• Installing cavity-wall insulation could save you around £110 a year. 
• Choosing an Energy Saving Trust-recommended refrigerator could save you up to £13 a year. 
• Opting for low-energy light bulbs, checking your heating isn’t set too high and drawing the curtains in the evenings will all help you make savings too.

To discover more ways to make your home more energy efficient: 

Help with heating costs 

 Insulate your home

 Download the guide Save energy, pay less (PDF 914KB)

Age UK’s Handyperson schemes help older people in some areas who meet certain criteria. They may be able to help with small jobs like installing draught excluders and radiator heat reflectors. Call Age UK Advice on 0800 169 6565 to find out what’s available in your area or find out more about our Handyperson service.

What to do if you’re worried about your energy bills

If your energy bills seem high or you’re having difficulty finding the money for them, read the factsheet Help with heating costs and try these money saving tips.

Start by talking to your current energy supplier. You may be able to cut your bills if you:

• switch to a cheaper tariff (pricing scheme)
• pay by direct debit
• sign up to paperless billing. This means you won’t receive bills in the post, but will manage your account online instead
• check if you're entitled to the Warm Home Discount or a social tariff. All energy companies must offer a social tariff for customers who are having problems paying bills. Eligibility is different for different suppliers. All social tariffs should match the supplier’s cheapest deal, but some customers may be better off switching to another supplier.

Tell your energy supplier as soon as you can, if you’re having difficulty paying your bills. They'll let you know how they can help you avoid getting into debt. If you're already in debt, you may be able to agree on a repayment plan to pay your arrears, or have a prepayment meter installed. Payments can be taken from your benefits to pay off an energy bill debt, if you receive certain means-tested benefits, including Pension Credit. This is known as the Fuel Direct Scheme.

Switching energy suppliers

If you decide to switch suppliers, you’ll find lots of different energy companies and tariffs to choose from. Read the factsheet Switching energy supplier to find out more about how to switch. You can also contact energy suppliers directly to ask about their best deals.

You will need the following information to compare tariffs.

• The name of your current supplier and current tariff (find them on your bill)
• How much you spent on electricity and gas in the last year. Look at your past bills if you still have them or ask your current supplier, otherwise work it out approximately
• How you currently pay for your energy – cheque or Direct Debit, for example
• How you would like to pay with a new energy supplier
• Your postcode

Tempted by a new tariff? Ask yourself these questions.

• Are there any special offers or discounts included in the price? If so, how long will they run for?
• Are there any extra or hidden charges?
• Is the payment schedule and method right for you? 
• A pre-payment meter is one way of spreading your payments, but it can be more expensive than other methods and inconvenient if you can’t get out to charge your card.

Your gas or energy supply won’t be interrupted when you switch.

Read Consumer Direct’s guide How to switch energy suppliers to find out what happens after you make the switch.

Not everyone can switch suppliers. If you rent, check with your landlord before switching. If you owe money to your energy supplier, they can stop you from switching to another supplier until your debt is paid off. However, if you have a pre-payment meter, you can transfer debts of up to £200 to a new supplier.

Claiming benefits – making sure you’re getting all the money you’re entitled to

Most of us are feeling the pinch and looking for ways to save money. If you’re on a low income, make sure you’re receiving all the benefits you’re eligible for.

• Ring Age UK Advice on 0800 169 6565 to find your local Age UK to see if they can offer a benefits check
• Use our online benefits calculator
• Download our benefits guides,  More money in your pocket: a guide to claiming benefits for people over pension age and Claiming benefits: a guide for people of working age.

If you receive the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, you should be eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme. You will automatically receive a £120 rebate off your electricity bill. This can be a real help now that rising fuel prices are affecting all of us. 

 Read more about what you could get in our Claiming benefits section