Money & Budgeting

Energy Bills Too High — What to Do UK

Practical ways to reduce energy bills. Savings tips, grants available, help if you can't pay, and how to switch to cheaper deals.

By PocketWise · · 4 min read

Energy bills have hit many households hard. Here’s what you can actually do about it.

Quick Wins

Heating (Biggest Savings)

Action Annual Saving
Turn thermostat down 1°C £80-£100
Heat only rooms you use £100-£300
Lower temperature at night £50-£80
Use timer effectively £75-£100
Bleeding radiators Improves efficiency
Don’t heat empty house Variable

Hot Water

Action Annual Saving
Shorter showers (1 min less) £70-£100
Shower vs bath £30-£50
Fix dripping hot taps £20-£40
Cylinder jacket (if tank) £40-£70
Turn down cylinder temp (60°C max) £20-£40

Appliances

Action Annual Saving
Turn off standby £50-£100
Wash at 30° £30-£40
Full loads only £30-£50
Air dry clothes £50-£100
LED bulbs £40-£60
Don’t overfill kettle £10-£20

Total Quick Wins

Combined Annual Saving
All behavioural changes £300-£500+
No cost These are free

Medium-Term Improvements

Draught-Proofing

Area Cost Annual Saving
Doors £10-£50 £25-£50
Windows £10-£30 £25-£50
Letterbox £5-£20 £10-£20
Chimney balloon £20-£30 £30-£50
Floors Varies £25-£50

Heating Controls

Upgrade Cost Annual Saving
Smart thermostat £100-£250 £75-£150
TRVs (radiator valves) £15-£30 each £50-£75
Programmer if none £50-£100 £100+

Insulation

Type Cost Annual Saving
Loft insulation (DIY) £200-£400 £150-£250
Cavity wall insulation £400-£800 £150-£300
Solid wall insulation £8,000-£22,000 £200-£400
Floor insulation £800-£1,500 £50-£100

Get a Better Deal

Compare and Switch

Step Action
1 Find annual usage (bill or online account)
2 Compare on comparison sites
3 Check if fix saves vs SVR
4 Switch (takes ~21 days)

Comparison Sites

Site Note
Uswitch Wide range
Compare the Market Includes cashback
Money Supermarket Good interface
Energy Helpline Phone option

Fixed vs Variable

Fixed Variable
Same rate for term Can change
Predictable May go up or down
Exit fees usually No exit fees
Good when prices rising Good when prices falling

Typical Savings (if on SVR)

Situation Potential Saving
Never switched £100-£300/year
Fixed deal ended £100-£200/year
Already on deal May be minimal

Help Available

Warm Home Discount

Feature Details
Amount £150 off electricity bill
Automatic If on Pension Credit
Apply Others may need to apply
When Winter period
Income threshold Varies by supplier

Winter Fuel Payment

Feature Details
Who State Pension age
Amount £200-£300
Automatic If getting State Pension
When November-December

Cold Weather Payment

Feature Details
Trigger Average 0°C for 7 days
Amount £25 per cold snap
Automatic If on certain benefits
Benefits Pension Credit, Income Support, UC (some)

ECO4 Scheme

Feature Details
What Free home insulation
For Low income, benefits
Includes Loft, cavity, heating
Worth Up to £10,000+
Apply Through supplier or council

Priority Services Register

Feature Details
What Extra support
For Elderly, disabled, chronic ill
Benefits No disconnection, meter moves, advance notice
How Tell your supplier

Can’t Pay? Your Options

Contact Your Supplier

They Must Details
Offer payment plan Based on affordability
Review debt repayments If struggling
Not disconnect In winter if vulnerable
Inform of support Hardship funds, grants

Payment Options

Option Details
Weekly payments More manageable
Lower amount Why you can’t pay more
Fuel Direct Deductions from benefits
Payment card Pay when you can

Supplier Hardship Funds

Supplier Fund Name
Most suppliers Have hardship funds
Usually Clear debt, one-off payment
Apply Direct to supplier
Worth £500-£2,000 typically

Other Help

Source Help
British Gas Energy Trust Grants (all suppliers)
Turn2us Grant finder
Local council Welfare assistance
Citizens Advice Debt advice

Prepayment Meters

Know Details
Debt recovery Capped amount per week
Self-disconnection Supplier should help
Emergency credit Usually available
Switch back Can ask if debt paid

Getting Accurate Bills

Check Meter Readings

Issue Solution
Estimated bills Submit actual readings
Very high Check no leaks (gas)
Suspicious Request meter test
Prepay Check rates correct

Submit Readings

When Why
Monthly Avoid surprises
Before switching Accurate final bill
If estimated Get actual

Smart Meters

Benefit Details
Automatic readings No estimates
Real-time usage See what costs money
Free Suppliers install free
Request Via your supplier

Summary: Energy Bill Action Plan

This Week

Action Done
Submit meter reading ☐
Check if on SVR ☐
Compare deals ☐
Turn thermostat down 1° ☐
Identify standby devices ☐

This Month

Action Done
Switch supplier if saving ☐
Check benefit eligibility ☐
Apply for Warm Home Discount ☐
Basic draught-proofing ☐
Request smart meter ☐

Check Eligibility

Scheme Eligible?
Warm Home Discount ☐
Winter Fuel Payment ☐
Cold Weather Payment ☐
ECO4 insulation ☐
Supplier hardship fund ☐

If Can’t Pay

Action Done
Call supplier immediately ☐
Explain circumstances ☐
Ask for payment plan ☐
Ask about hardship fund ☐
Check benefit entitlements ☐

Key Contacts

Service Contact
Your supplier On bill
Citizens Advice citizensadvice.org.uk
Home Energy Scotland 0808 808 2282
Simple Energy Advice simpleenergyadvice.org.uk

You have control over more than you think. Small changes add up. Help is available. And suppliers must work with you if you’re struggling — the key is to contact them before it becomes a crisis.

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Sources

  1. MoneyHelper — Everyday money