Page last updated on 16th March 2026
How carers can get help with energy bills: supporting your loved ones
According to research conducted in 2022*, over three-quarters of unpaid carers are spending more time making sure the home of the person they care for is energy efficient.
The research also showed that, on average, unpaid carers have spent over £400 on energy-efficient measures like replacing lightbulbs with LEDs, getting boilers serviced, and installing better quality curtains.
As a response to rising energy prices, you may be thinking about things you can do to help with utility bills for people in your life who may need more support. Whether you identify as a carer or not, anyone who is taking time out of their day to help someone in need is doing something important. Our selection of handy tips could help you take control of your loved one's energy usage and help keep their home energy bills as low as possible.
You can also take a look at an infographic we created, which dives deeper into the research we commissioned on unpaid carers. For a PDF version of the infographic, please see here: carers infographic PDF.
Help with energy bills: three tips for saving energy
If you’re looking for support with energy bills while caring for a loved one, we’ve compiled a list of three energy-saving hacks that could help relieve some financial pressure on you and your loved one:
1. Keep the heat in
One tip to save energy is to invest in draught-proofing measures and modern insulation for homes which will help retain heat. Even putting simple insulation strips around windows and doors or making sure your letter box shuts securely could help stop heat from being carried away.
Insulation strips and letter box draught excluders are available for a few pounds at most DIY shops. If you’re looking for cost-efficient ways to help the person you care for save, draught excluders are a simple hack that could improve your heating system’s efficiency and cost effectiveness.
2. Service now, save later.
If you can, ensure that your larger appliances like boilers, ovens, washing machines and medical equipment that tend to use a lot of energy are serviced and functioning well. Making sure they are working well now will help make sure they don’t let you down later. Larger appliances breaking down can be an unexpected and avoidable cost for you when caring for others.
3. Request a smart meter for the person you care for
One of the easier ways to make a home more energy efficient is to request a smart meter. By installing a smart meter, you and the person you care for can have access to more information about their energy usage. With the smart meter’s in-home display, you can monitor the home’s energy usage in near real-time. This will help you both work out exactly where in the home you could save energy, which could help reduce home energy bills.
Another benefit smart meters provide to unpaid carers is automatic meter readings. With automated readings, you no longer need to send off readings to your energy supplier yourself. This could give the person you care for more peace of mind that the meter readings have been sent.
While a smart meter can help with utility bills by sending automatic meter readings, it does not automatically save energy or money. You and your loved one will need to make practical changes, such as setting budgets or being more mindful of your energy usage, in order to save energy with a smart meter.
Check out what Elsa, an unpaid carer for her grandad, has to say about smart meters below:
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Having a smart meter is a huge deal for a carer.
You don’t have to worry about putting in meter readings, checking the meter.
If my dad knows that everything’s in control, then he feels much happier.
You’re like: “Dealt with, fine, okay, what do you want to do today?”
If you are providing care for individuals with sight loss, dexterity issues, or memory loss, and would like to help them take control of their energy usage, or support with energy bills, an accessible in-home display (AIHD) has been developed with help from the Royal National Institute of Blind People and might help with this.
Alternatively, if you would like to find out more about the process of requesting a smart meter for the person you care for, click the link below:
Don't suffer in silence with high home energy bills
Looking for advice on energy bills? If you or the person you care for are in debt to your energy supplier and are struggling to get on top of it, speak to the relevant supplier as soon as possible. If they know there is a problem, they are required to work with you to find a solution.
We also have a page with advice for those worried about energy bills, which can tell you everything you need to know about the different options available to you.
Request a smart meter
If you’re caring for someone, smart meters not only give that person back some of their independence but can also help you manage their energy bills. It also takes meter readings off your list of to-dos, giving you time for things that really matter.
Click the link below to begin the process:
High home energy bills can be challenging, especially if you’re trying to help with any financial pressure on your loved ones. By following these practical energy-saving tips and using the smart meter’s in-home display (IHD), you get a better understanding of exactly when you or the person you care for are using the most energy and how much it costs. Leaving you free to focus on what matters most.
Want to find out more?
*Based on a study of 1,000 people who care for others non-professionally. Study conducted on behalf of Smart Energy GB.