PRACTICAL GUIDE · UPDATED 2026-10-30

Saving electricity and gas: start with the bill and the easy changes

Separate energy use from tariff prices, then tackle avoidable waste while keeping your home safely warm.

Start with a year's electricity and gas consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh), using actual meter readings where possible. Compare consumption as well as pounds: a smaller payment does not necessarily mean you used less energy. Record your unit rates, daily standing charges, tariff name and contract end date before comparing offers.

For a simple single-rate comparison, annual energy charges are approximately electricity kWh × electricity unit price + gas kWh × gas unit price + 365 × the combined daily standing charges. Use prices in consistent units and include VAT consistently. Time-of-use tariffs need separate calculations for each price period. Standing charges do not disappear by using less: they normally remain payable even on days with no consumption. Ofgem's price cap protects standard variable tariffs; it is not a ceiling on your household's total bill and does not protect fixed tariffs.

Compare contracts using your own annual consumption and postcode. A fixed tariff fixes the agreed rates for its term, rather than guaranteeing the same total bill whatever you use. Read the supplier's primary tariff information and terms for standing charges, exit fees, payment method, meter requirements and what happens when the deal ends. Ofgem says the best option may be with your current supplier; switching early from a fixed deal can incur an exit fee. A cheap off-peak rate needs weighing against the hours when you actually use energy.

Low-cost starting points include boiling only the water needed, switching off unnecessary lights and standby devices, using suitable cooler laundry programmes and full loads, and taking shorter showers. Reducing hot-water use can save both water and heating energy. Follow appliance instructions and retain essential equipment, ventilation and adequate warmth. Draught-proof unwanted gaps around doors and windows, but never block air bricks, extractor fans or ventilation required by combustion appliances.

Check results over time, allowing for colder weather and changes in occupancy. Savings from individual tips overlap, so do not add every advertised saving together. For persistent high heating use, request a site assessment and an exact written quote for the proposed remedy before buying equipment.

Your checklist

Collect annual kWh figures and check whether bill readings are actual or estimated.
Compare the full annual tariff cost, including standing charges and any exit fees.
Try safe routine changes first and keep a dated consumption record.
Keep ventilation clear and prioritise household health and warmth.

Sources & further reading

General information, not a property assessment, booking or assurance about a listed business. Dates indicate content updates; they are not invented publication dates.

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