Page last updated on 24th April 2026
Top tips on saving electricity and energy around the home
Investing some time and learning more about efficient energy use doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Simple changes to your day-to-day activities could make big differences to your home energy efficiency and household bills. Here are some saving electricity tips you can do in your home to save energy – and money!
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How to save energy at home
With energy bills still putting pressure on some and being on top of the mind for many, finding ways to save energy in your home is just as important as ever. We’ve listed some of the top ways to save energy at home. Tackling your energy use is one of the best ways to lower electric bills and improve your home energy efficiency:
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Appliances
Let’s start with your appliances. According to Energy Saving Trust, you could save as much as £45 a year just by switching appliances off standby. You can also cut down on energy use by unplugging rechargeable devices once they’re fully charged and by avoiding leaving them on charge overnight. Small changes like these can make a difference to your home energy efficiency.
To find out more about how your appliances affect your energy bill, click here.
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Washing
Washing and drying clothes can use a lot of energy, so one way to reduce energy bills could be to make washing and drying more efficient. Some helpful tips are: wash your clothes at 30°C instead of 40°C, or air-drying your clothes instead of using a dryer.
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Lighting
Lighting can have a big impact on your energy use. You can save money on energy by something as simple as turning your lights off when you’re not using them. And by replacing bulbs in your home with LED lights, you could save even more. To learn more about how energy-saving lighting can help your electricity costs, click here.
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Cooking
Everyday activities like cooking can have a big impact on your energy use. Small changes can lead to real savings – such as using only the amount of water you need in the kettle or using a bowl to wash up instead of a running tap. For more tips, check out our page on energy saving in the kitchen.
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Insulation
In the cooler months, proper insulation can make a noticeable difference to your energy bills. Adding heavy-lined curtains can also help reduce heat loss through windows at night and keep out cold draughts, making your home warmer and more energy efficient. To learn more about DIY draught proofing, click here.
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Bathing
Reducing your water usage can help save energy at home. Even spending just one minute less in the shower can save energy, and replacing your shower head with a water-efficient one could save even more. Learn more about water-efficient shower heads, here.
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Heating
Simple changes to how you heat your home can lead to meaningful savings. Installing radiator reflector panels can help direct heat back into the room. According to Energy Saving Trust, by adjusting your heating controls, you could save around £90 annually. To learn more about using radiator panels, click here and to learn more about adjusting your thermostat, click here.
How to stop energy waste using a smart meter
A smart meter can help you to adopt energy-efficient measures in your household. The in-home display (IHD) offered with your smart meter shows you in near real-time the amount of energy you use in pounds and pence. This allows you to keep a closer eye on the amount of energy you are using. This information can then help you to find ways to reduce energy waste around your home and save money.
If you have more questions about smart meters—from things like ‘what is a smart meter?’ or ‘are smart meters secure?’, check out our FAQ page for more information.
Ready to get a smart meter?
Join the millions of Brits who are already using a smart meter and accompanying in-home display to reduce the energy usage in their homes. Get in touch with your energy supplier to learn more. You’ll find their details on your gas and electricity bill. Or, simply type your energy supplier in the box below and we'll redirect you to their website.
Interested in more energy saving tips?
Our ultimate energy saving tips guide has lots of advice on how to save on your electricity and gas in your home.
Remember, by combining our smart energy tips you could save even more. Some of these tips include:
Please note:
All cost savings are based on a year or annual savings.
Consumer action is required to obtain cost savings.
Eligibility of smart meters may vary.