UK Savings Week: Expert Tips On How To Save Money On Your Energy Bills

For UK savings week experts have shared their top tips on how to save money on your energy bills.

Andy Kerr, founder of BOXT comments: “UK Savings Week, which runs from the 18th to the 24th of September, is designed to share information on ways to save and make the most out of your money. With the cost of living crisis continuing to impact the UK population it’s more important than ever to find small, readily applicable tips to help save you money on your energy bills.

“As the days get shorter and the temperature falls, it’s human nature to want to turn the thermostat all the way up and warm both you and your home. However, adopting a few small habits can help save you money and prevent your energy bills from skyrocketing.

“UK Savings Week is the perfect time to take stock of your habits, which is why we wanted to share some easily implemented changes that can help you kickstart your saving journey.”
Service your boiler
As a general rule, your boiler should be serviced every 12 months from the day it was installed, even if you don’t see any warning signs that call for immediate action. It’s particularly important to get your boiler serviced regularly to meet the terms of any manufacturer’s warranty you may have, which in some cases can be 10 years or more, so it’s worth ensuring that it stays valid to cover the cost of any parts or repairs. Regular servicing also keeps your boiler running as efficiently as possible, keeping the cost of your energy bill down, as well as highlighting any potential issues before they escalate into a more expensive problem.
Replace your old boiler
The average lifespan of a boiler is between 10 to 15 years so if your boiler is approaching the 10-year mark and it’s not working as efficiently as it should be, it’s probably time to replace it. All new and modern boilers have to be A-rated, meaning they score over 90% for efficiency, whereas older systems can have an efficiency rating as low as 60% – meaning 40% of the energy that you pay for is simply wasted! As a consequence they have to work harder to produce the same heat. This puts a bigger strain on the old system, causing issues and higher energy bills. Research from the Energy Saving Trust shows that you could save up to £630 a year on energy bills with a more efficient boiler, meaning that by purchasing a new boiler, in the long run, you’ll save money and energy.
Turn down your thermostat
A common misconception is that lowering the thermostat won’t have an impact on your energy bills. However, turning your central heating temperature down by just one degree can save you up to £80 a year. An estimated 17 million households in the UK could save as much as £1.4 billion by turning their thermostats down by just 1°C from the current average temperature of 20°C. Making this small change to the temperature in your home can make a big difference.
Ensuring your house is well-insulated
It’s vital to ensure that all windows, doors and other possible crevices are properly sealed. Not only will this keep your house warmer, but it will also reduce your energy waste and make sure you’re not wasting money.
Programme your boiler
Only a quarter (27%) of the population schedule their heating, meaning most people’s boilers are unlikely to be operating as efficiently as possible, and homes won’t be maintaining the optimum comfortable temperature.

Investing in a smart thermostat like the Google Nest Learning Thermostat gives you full control over the temperature of your home from wherever you are, meaning you can schedule your heating to come on just before you get home, so you arrive to a warm house without wasting money on heating an empty house. The smart technology learns from your habits and can therefore build a schedule that works perfectly for your household, so your boiler is operating as efficiently as possible.
Get a smart meter
Often we don’t really know how much money we’re spending on energy bills day-to-day. A smart meter is a brilliant way to keep track of your energy usage and monitor your habits. The meter’s in-home display allows you to see your day-to-day energy use and can help you identify ways to reduce it and lower your bills.
Make sure to switch off your TV
Forgetting to turn off your TV and letting it go to standby is an easy mistake and one that people often make. Whether it’s from getting distracted or falling asleep during your favourite programme, remembering to turn it off can help you reduce your energy expenditure and avoid spending excess money on your bills.
Turn off the lights
This may sound obvious but many people forget to turn off the lights in rooms that are not being used. If you’re heading downstairs to make a cup of tea or run a quick errand it’s always worth turning off the lights in the room you’re leaving. On top of this, using the lights when it’s bright outside wastes energy and money as simply opening your curtains can sometimes be enough light.

When it gets dark outside and the lights turn on, switching to LED bulbs can also help to reduce your energy bills.