Save money on energy bills

Last updated: October 2024

Small changes to your home or daily habits can help you reduce how much energy use, and save you money.

We've put together these helpful tips to help improve energy efficiency in your home and save money on your energy bills. We also have tips on how to save money by saving water.

You can also save money on energy through home improvements. Some discounts and other support are available to help you invest in insulation, Solar photovoltaic (PV), and heat pumps.

Visit our cost of living support (Kent Together) and Household Support Fund pages to find out what other help is available for eligible households.

Our 12 top tips to save energy at home

In addition to the many ideas you'll find on this page, watch our video for our top 12 tips to save energy at home.

Choosing your supplier

Consider switching to a cheaper tariff

By law your electricity supplier has to tell you if you could save money by changing to another tariff. However, this may not be easy to find on your monthly bills.

There is no harm in contacting your supplier to ask them directly, they'd be glad to help you if it means you don't take your business elsewhere.

Compare your suppliers rates with the competition

It pays to shop around to compare your energy supplier's rates with the marketplace:

There are free online comparison sites which can make this very quick and easy, such as Uswitch or Switcheroo.

The below behaviour changes and associated potential savings are inspired by the Energy Saving Trust website.

Heating your home

Draught-proof windows, doors and floors could save £70 a year

DIY draught-proofing will be cheaper than paying a professional to do so, which can cost around £250 for a whole house. Unless you have an old property with single-glazed windows, draught-proofing can be fairly simple. Read guidance from the Energy Saving Trust.

Taking shorter showers could save £50 a year

For more information about saving water at home, visit the Southern Water website.

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that fitting a more efficient shower head can reduce combined heating and water bills by around £60.

Air-drying clothes could save £45 a year

Using clothes racks indoors or hanging washing outside in warmer weather can reduce your energy consumption.

Switching off standby could save £40 a year

Almost all appliances can be switched off standby without affecting their usual functionality. Check the device manual if you are unsure.

Insulating beyond your walls could save £35 a year

Insulating your water tank, or increasing the thickness of an existing jacket to 80mm, keeps the water warmer for longer. Radiator reflector panels can help reduce heat loss through external walls.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, ‘DIY hot water tank installation on an uninsulated tank would cost around £20, while primary pipe insulation should cost around £18.’ This could save up to £175 per year on energy bills, based on July 2024 fuel prices.

Not overfilling the kettle could save £9 year

Boil only as much water as you need to avoid the kettle working harder than necessary.

Other ways to help reduce your energy consumption

• Adjust your heating controls
• Turn radiators off in unoccupied rooms
• Get a smart meter (they are usually free)
• When cooking, cover pans with lids and use a cooker ring that is the same size as the pan
• Wash clothes at 30°C
• Fitting efficient taps or tap aerators
• Fill your dishwasher and washing machine to appropriate levels
• Turn off lights when they are not needed, and switch to LED bulbs

For more tips and information, visit the Energy Saving Trust and Southern Water websites.