Britons face yet another rise in energy bills this month as the energy price cap increased for millions of customers on October 1. The typical dual-fuel household on a variable tariff is now estimated to pay around £1,755 a year, up from £1,720 – marking an increase of £35 annually, according to regulator Ofgem.
With energy prices still painfully high for many, Octopus Energy has shared eight practical tips it says could help households save more than £600 a year – with no major investments required. Octopus Energy, which serves nine million customers globally, said: “We’ve pulled together some of the quickest, simplest and most effective things you can do to save energy around the house.”
Set your boiler’s flow temperature – save up to £65
The boiler’s flow temperature controls how hot the water is when it leaves the boiler. Many are set too high by default. Lowering this setting between 55C and 60C can cut bills by up to 12%. According to Nesta, this could save around £65 a year, based on energy prices in September 2023.
For combi boilers, Octopus said set the temperature to 50C for heating and 55C for hot water. For boilers with hot water cylinders, Octopus said set the flow temp to just over 60C, and the cylinder to 60C, to reduce the risk of Legionella.
Air dry, don’t tumble dry – save £50
Avoiding the tumble dryer and using a clothes horse or outdoor line can save around £50 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Octopus suggested avoiding drying clothes on radiators, which makes boilers work harder.
Plug draughts – save £80
Draughts from gaps around windows and doors can waste valuable heat. Identifying and sealing these with either DIY solutions or professional help could save up to an average of £80 annually.
Octopus added: “You’ll keep more heat in your home with less energy if you pull your blinds or curtains before it gets dark – up to 17% reduction in heat loss.”
Set your thermostat wisely – save up to £90
Lowering your thermostat by just one degree can knock up to £90 off your bill, according to Energy Saving Trust. Octopus recommends setting it between 18C and 21C, and avoiding using it like an on/off switch.
Insulate your hot water tank – save £40
Fitting an 80mm British Standard insulation jacket to your hot water cylinder can reduce heat loss and save £40 a year. Insulating hot water pipes adds extra savings, according to Octopus.
Switch off standby – save £45
Most appliances can be turned off at the plug without disrupting settings. Doing so can save around £45 each year.
Cut shower time – save £60
Limiting showers to four minutes could save a typical household £60 annually, particularly if you have an electric or mixer shower.
Use LED lighting – save up to £136
Lighting accounts for about 11% of household electricity use. LEDs use 70% to 80% less energy, and the Energy Saving Trust estimates households could save between £4 and £10 per bulb, per year. Based on a typical household having around 34 bulbs in the home on average, making this change could save you £136 a year.
Switching off lights when not in use can save an additional £7 annually.
Combining all of these measures, households could save as much as £566 per year. Octopus said: “These tips have helped Octopus customers save over £5 million on their bills last winter, and the average home that tried them out in our Winter Workout challenge slashed their bill by 12%.”