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Save Energy, Pay Less

Published on 02 February 2026 12:40 PM

None of us want to pay more for our energy than we must. But saving money shouldn’t mean you use less energy than you need to stay warm and well. 

How to save energy.  

There are plenty of things you can do to save energy and to be more efficient with the energy you do use.  

Quick and easy savings.  

There are some easy ways to save money on your bills while still using the energy you need.  

Get an annual service  

To prevent any problems, get your heating system serviced once a year to ensure it’s running safely and efficiently. Make sure the person who services it is qualified and on the Gas Safe Register 

Save money on oil heating 

If you use oil to heat your home, joining a local oil club could save you money. Contact your local council for more information.  

Save water  

  • Fix any dripping taps.  
  • Turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth or shaving. 
  • You could shower instead of taking a bath. A short shower can use a third of the amount of water needed for a bath. 
  • Using a washing up bowl rather than running water for dishes.  
  • Use a water meter to pay for the exact amount you use instead of a fixed amount. 

Keep your home warm  

  • Keep the rooms you use most at a comfortable temperature (usually around 18°C (64°F) is ideal.) Just tweak it when you need to, it's more efficient than turning the heating off and on again. 
  • Shut your curtains in the evenings to reduce heat loss through windows. Tuck them behind radiators, rather than letting them hang in front, so the radiators can better heat the room. 
  • Avoid putting furniture in front of your radiators or keeping dry washing on them – it can stop the heat from circulating as well. 
  • Turn off radiators in rooms you don’t use and keep the doors shut.  

 

Keep draughts out  

  • Fit draught-proofing strips and draught excluders around doors and seal gaps around window frames.  
  • You can even fit covers to letterboxes and keyholes. If you do fit any of these, it’s important to leave some ventilation. If you use gas appliances, ask a Gas Safe registered engineer for advice about ventilation.  

Get your lighting right 

  • Changing from traditional light bulbs to LED (light emitting diode) bulbs could save you money.  
  • Turn lights off in rooms you’re not using. If you’re a little unsteady on your feet, make sure you keep areas like the stairs well-lit.  
  • If you tend to leave a light on during the night, you could consider using a night light instead. 

 

Save energy on appliances  

  • Switch things off rather than leaving them on standby. If you tend to leave things on standby because of mobility problems, consider getting a socket that lets you switch things off via a remote control. 
  • If you have an off-peak energy tariff, you might be able to save money by running your washing machine and other appliances during off-peak periods. Check with your provider to find out when these periods are. 
  • If you’re getting any new appliances, choose the best energy rating and make sure you get an appliance that’s the right size for you, as larger appliances use more energy than smaller ones. 
  • You could save more by running the washing machine at a lower temperature – and by hanging clothes out to dry rather than using a tumble dryer. 

Save energy in the kitchen 

  • When you’re making a cuppa, boil just the water you need rather than a full kettle. This could save you more than you’d expect. 
  • Keep lids on pans when you’re cooking to reduce heat loss. 
  • Defrost frozen food in the fridge to reduce its cooking time. 
  • Let food cool to room temperature before putting it in the fridge or freezer – as well as saving energy, it can help prevent food poisoning. 
  • Keep the fridge at least 10cm (4 inches) away from the wall and dust the coils at the back to help them work effectively 

 

Some of the savings mentioned in this article might seem minimal, a few pounds here and there – but they all add up and can make a real difference. Depending on the size of your home, you might save a little less – or a little more. 

If you are struggling to keep warm this winter, get in touch with us for a free home energy check. We can help by making sure your home is energy efficient. For more information about our Home Energy Check service and to book a check, please contact us on 01480 700 205 or chp@ageukcap.org.uk