Tips on how to save money

We all want to save money and there are small easy wins where you can save money on your energy.

These top tips are recommended by the Energy Saving Trust (energysavingtrust.org.uk), are easy and quick to do. With these tips, you can start cutting your energy costs today.

Cooking:

• Put a lid on your pan when cooking on the stove. Water will boil quicker, meaning that the heat stays in the pan and you use less energy
• Use a slow cooker to cook your food. It uses less energy and you can batch cook food to use another day to save energy too. Alternatively, you could use microwaves and air fryers for quicker times to cook and use less energy
• Only use the amount of water you need in the kettle, by overfilling it you use much more energy

Heating, washing and drying:

Turn the temperature down where you can to keep costs low.

• You can save money on the energy you use by turning your thermostat down by one degree. Please note that your thermostat should be set between 18-21 degrees to keep you safe and well
• Setting your washing machine to 30 degrees rather than higher temperatures can help you save money
• Make sure that you have a full load of washing when using your washing machine. Having one less wash cycle per week can save you money
• Install a smart thermostat and smart meters to monitor usage
• Cut down on the use of the tumble dryer and line dry your clothes or use an airer
• Fit an aerator to your kitchen tap, it attaches to the spout of your tap and reduces the amount of water coming out without affecting how it washes or rinses. It's cheap to buy and will help you save money on your water bills
• Only use your dishwasher when it's full. Use the eco settings to wash your pots, and reducing the amount of times you use your dishwasher can save you money on your energy bill

Lighting and appliances:

• Switch lights off in rooms you are not using, it will save you pounds
• Switch appliances off completely rather than having them on standby
• Turn your phone charger off when your phone is fully charged

Keeping your house warm:

• Make sure your house is well insulated. This will help to keep your home warmer for longer as the heat doesn't escape as quickly
• Add reflective radiator panels in a home that is not insulated
• Insulate your heating pipes
• Add a hot water tank jacket to an uninsulated hot water cylinder
• Draft proof your windows and doors

Other tips to save money: 

• Use a washing bowl when washing pots rather than using a running tap
• Have shorter showers. Reducing your shower by one minute can save you money
• Have a shower instead of a bath
• Consider changing your shower head to a water efficient one
• Use LED light bulbs that use less energy
• Use a laptop instead of a desktop computer and reduce how long it is left on standby. This can save you money
• Use Uswitch (uswitch.com) to see if you can get a cheaper deal on your gas and electric bills

Last updated: 08/05/2026 11:15