how to save energy at home

Find out some ways to reduce your energy bills at home and how we can help support you through rising energy costs.

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Here we have some great energy-saving tips to help you reduce your heating and electric bills. If you're struggling with finances and budgeting, our handy advice reveals how to save energy at home and we'll also outline our means-tested energy costs payment.

1. look after your radiators

Maintaining the efficiency of your radiators will help to ensure they’re working properly throughout the colder months. Bleeding and balancing radiators is crucial to ensure they’re heating up properly and aren’t full of any nasty sludge that may be causing cold spots. You should aim to carry out a health check for your radiators before the colder season when they’re likely to be used regularly.

2. prevent draughts

Warm air can escape through floorboards, doors, windows and even chimneys. It’s important to keep your rooms free from draughts to ensure no heat escapes throughout the day. Invest in draught excluders, draught-proofing strips or even chimney excluders to close the gaps and holes where heat may leave your home. This will help to conserve energy and keep your heating bills lower.

3. invest in efficient appliances

While the one-off cost of a new appliance may be a substantial cost, the year-on-year savings you could achieve will be worth the upfront spend. Aim for washing machines and fridge freezers with an A rating, as these typically use much less energy than older models and can help to consistently reduce your energy bills.

 

4. use our £450 energy costs payment

If you’re struggling to make ends meet when it comes to energy costs, we may be able to assist. Our £450 means-tested energy costs payment can be put towards the cost of heating, water and electric bills and also fund generators and air conditioning units if you’re based outside of the UK.

If the emotional burden of energy bills is affecting you and your family’s mental health, our team can help you manage your concerns.

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5. turn off standby appliances

Turning appliances off at the plug can help you to save money on your energy bills. After using appliances such as kettles, microwaves, phone chargers or hairdryers, simply turn the switch off at the wall to ensure you’re not wasting excess electricity.

6. introduce soft furnishings

Carpets, fabric sofas, curtains and rugs are great at absorbing heat so will keep your rooms warmer for longer if you incorporate these into your space. Invest in rugs if you have wooden floors to trap in the heat and prevent draughts that may arise from floorboards. This is a great way to keep your house warmer for longer.

7. how to save water at home

You can reduce your water bills in your home by making these few changes:

  • install a water-saving shower head
  • use flow regulators in your taps to reduce flow rate
  • use a washing up bowl rather than a running tap when doing the dishes
  • time your showers so you're not wasting uneccessary water

8. don’t dry your washing on radiators

Avoid placing wet clothes, towels and bed sheets on your radiators as these will block the heat from your radiators and prevent your rooms from heating up efficiently. This can also be more expensive as your radiators will have to work even harder to compensate for the heat loss caused by the wet washing.

Drying clothes on radiators can also release excess moisture in the area, causing mould and mildew.

9. compare energy quotes

If your energy bills are becoming unmanageable, it’s a good idea to compare energy suppliers as you may be able to save a proportion of money by switching. Using comparison sites such as MoneySuperMarket can help you to compare estimated yearly and monthly costs to make sure you’re getting the best deal for your energy usage.

7 quick fire money-saving tips

1. Opt for LED bulbs as these are more energy efficient and have a longer life span

2. Invest in a heated clothes airer instead of using a tumble dryer

3. Make sure you turn off radiators in rooms that are often unused, such as offices or spare bedrooms

4. If you have a combi boiler, reduce the flow temperature to 60 degrees 

5. Install a smart meter to help you see what you're spending the most money on

6. Slow cookers use just 9% of the energy used by a large oven, so are a great way to cut costs 

7. Buy smart plugs so you can schedule when your devices are turned on and off.

 

If you’re worried about energy costs and would like to speak to someone about the support we offer, don’t hesitate to reach out and speak to a member of our team.

 

our tools

Take a look at our useful tools below to help get your finances on track. 

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Check which UK benefits you may be eligible for, including welfare benefits, grants and other support.

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your questions answered

I’m in debt

If debts are getting you down, we can advise you. Get in touch with a professional debt adviser, who can provide impartial and confidential advice and work with you to create an action plan aimed at improving your financial situation and alleviating your debts.

Are your services means-tested?

If you need financial support, we carry out a means test where we consider income, expenditure, capital and assets.  

*Please note none of our other services are means-tested. 

How confidential is caba?

Everything you tell us is kept in the strictest of confidence. We don't share your personal information with any third parties, and that includes the ICAEW. Caba is a separate organisation from the ICAEW and is an independent charity with its own board of trustees.

Can caba pay for my ICAEW membership fees?

If you’re struggling to pay your subscriptions, we're able to offer financial assistance which is means tested based on your household income. Whatever your situation, we're always here to offer advice to help you manage your finances.