Energy bills are rising (again) and we’re about to start using a lot more gas and electricity as the weather turns colder and the never-ending summer heatwaves become a thing of the past.
The energy price cap will rise 4% from 1 October (after already going up in July by 13%) making bills an average of £1,723 a year.
But before the cold weather arrives, there are lots of things you can do right now to prepare for winter and crucially to cut your energy bills.
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Check how much you’re paying for energy
Ofgem’s energy price cap will rise again in October, pushing up average bills for anyone on their provider’s standard tariff. It’s one of the biggest expenses households have, but there are ways to save money on gas and electricity.
It may be time to switch or fix energy tariffs
If you are currently on a standard energy tariff, the price you pay will be determined by the price cap. It’s a limit on what providers can charge per unit of energy. The real price you pay will depend on how much energy you use, so it could be higher (or in some cases lower).
The price cap changes every three months and is expected to rise again in January, which will see bills rise again if you’re on a standard tariff. The alternative is choosing a fixed-price energy tariff, where the price per unit of energy is set in stone (by your provider) for a fixed period, of up to 24 months.
A fix means you are guaranteed the same price, no matter what happens to wholesale prices. There are currently several fixed energy tariffs available that are cheaper than the Ofgem energy cap, so if you switch you should be saving money.
The only caveat to add is, if energy prices did dramatically fall during the fixed-term period, there is a risk you could then be paying more than those on a standard tariff. Using an energy comparison website is a quick way to calculate your potential savings to see if it’s worth switching.
A smart meter can save you from making manual readings
Smart meters are free and they automatically track your energy use, so there’s no longer any need for making manual readings. They can be beneficial as they lower the risk of being over or under-charged for your energy, and some cheap energy tariffs require households to have one.
There are two ways having one can save you cash. The first is that, by being aware of what you’re spending in real time, people often see their energy use fall after having one installed as they see the true cost of having different appliances switched on or off.
Secondly, to take part in nationwide schemes to save money on your energy bills, by moving your electricity use to off-peak hours of the day, you’ll need a smart meter.
There have been criticisms of smart meters not working and if this is the case, you should be able to claim compensation of £40 from your supplier.
Ask for your money back if you’ve overpaid
If you pay your energy bills by direct debit, you might’ve built up an ‘in credit’ balance.
This is your money and you’re entitled to ask for it back. You may be able to ask for the money to be refunded, or your provider could lower your direct debit payments.
However, it’s worth thinking about how much your bills could rise over winter and if you’ll be able to cover the higher costs. Having some money in your energy account can provide a buffer for this.
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Could you upgrade your home to save money on bills?
Energy efficient measures and upgrades can save you money on your home over time, but they often require an upfront cost. Here are some of the current schemes available:
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Households in England and Wales can get up to £7,500 towards the cost of a heat pump or biomass boiler, if they choose to replace their current boiler with one.
Heat pumps are more energy efficient than standard boilers, and for every unit of electricity used, you’ll get 300 to 400% as much heat back. This is compared to an A-rated boiler that would convert 90% of fuel into reusable heat, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
The savings of switching to a heat pump vary, from £220 a year when replacing an inefficient gas boiler to £12,000 when replacing an inefficient electric storage heater. However, air source heat pumps cost around £12,000 to install, while ground source heat pumps can be £15,000 or more.
To apply, you’ll need to own your own home and then choose an MCS certified installer, and arrange the work. They will then apply for the grant directly from Ofgem.
The Warm Homes grant
You may be eligible for a Warm Homes grant from the government. It can be used for energy-efficient upgrades including insulation and solar panels. It’s only available to low-income households with an Energy Performance Certificate of between D and G.
You can apply on the Gov.uk website.
Book in a boiler service
Getting your boiler serviced before you really need it can save you money and stress. The last thing you need is it breaking down on a morning when the temperature has suddenly fallen. Instead getting it checked ahead of time, while it’s still working, can avoid a breakdown.
An annual service isn’t always required but it is a good idea as any problems can be picked up early and an engineer can check the health and safety of the boiler. If you have insurance, or your boiler is relatively new, you may have this service already included for free.
Roof and wall insulation could cut bills by up to £330 a year
If you don’t have sufficient insulation in your home, you’ll be losing energy through the walls and roof. The type of insulation you need will depend on your home and your budget.
The overall savings are significant, and the examples below are for a semi-detached house, if you can afford the upfront costs:
- Cavity wall insulation, average installation cost: £2,200, average savings: £200 a year
- Loft wall insulation, average installation cost: £600 (for 270mm of insulation from 120mm), average savings: £190 a year
- Solid wall insulation, average installation cost: between £12,000 and £15,000, average savings: £330 a year
If you’re eligible you may be able to apply for a grant to cover the costs, through the Warm Home scheme. Low and 0% interest loans will also be available for anyone, regardless of income, but these aren’t yet open to apply for.
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You may be eligible for discounts or energy grants
There are a range of grants and benefits which apply over the winter. Using a free benefits checker, such as the one from Turn2Us, is a good way to see what you could be claiming.
Between £100 and £300 is paid by the Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born on or before 28 June 1960, you live in England or Wales, and you have an income of £35,000 or less, you may be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. It’s a payment of between £100 and £300 to help with the cost of energy bills.
If you’re already receiving benefits, including the state pension, you usually won’t need to apply and it will be paid out automatically into the account you receive these to. If not, you can apply from 21 September 2026 by calling the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 or by downloading a claim form.
The Warm Home Discount cuts £150 off your energy bills
The Warm Home Discount scheme offers eligible households a £150 discount on their electricity bills between October and March. Everyone receiving Pension Credit or Universal Credit is eligible for the discount. If you are eligible you should receive a letter with details of how the discount is paid and when it will be added to your energy bill.
The Cold Weather Payment is worth £25 when temperatures fall
If the weather falls to zero degrees celsius or below, over seven consecutive days, between November and March you might be entitled to a £25 payment. This is for people who already receive some benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest payments. The payment is made automatically and you don’t need to apply for it.
DIY tips to keep your home warm
Small jobs, which you can usually do at home with the help of an online video, could save you money on your energy bills. They include the following:
Seal draughts and keep cold air out
Unless your windows and doors are properly sealed, hot air will escape and cold air will come in, so your home won’t heat up properly and you’ll be wasting money.
On average you could save £55 a year by draught proofing, according to the Energy Saving Trust (EST).
Filling in gaps around doors, windows and floors now can help this issue. Caulk and draught proofing strips can fill small gaps while a draft extractor can also block out cold air.
If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, or the job is slightly more complicated, you may need to pay a professional to help.
Lower the boiler flow
The boiler flow is the temperature of water leaving your boiler, if you turn it down, to between 55 and 60 degrees, this could reduce your energy bills but shouldn’t make a difference to the temperature of your home.
Bleeding your radiators can also help them to work more efficiently when the time comes to turn them on.
Lowering your home’s thermostat will also help to cut your costs. Lowering it by just 1 degree could see savings of between £90 and £145 per year, according to the EST.
Give you car a winter health check before it gets cold
Car insurance claims tend to rise over the winter months, as poor weather conditions make driving more hazardous. Giving your vehicle an extra check before the bad weather arrives could lower the risk of something going wrong or it breaking down.
You local garage might offer a free basic service
Making sure your car is working and running properly can prevent accidents and breakdowns over the winter.
You can do some basic safety and visual checks yourself, such as the oil, coolant and the condition of the tyres and windscreen wipers but for a more advanced winter safety check you might want to visit a local garage.
It might be possible to book this for free (depending on the garage). Halfords, for example, offers a free basic car check looking at the battery, lights, wipers, and windscreen.
Breakdown cover for winter emergencies
As there’s more risk of car accidents over winter, having insurance in place and breakdown cover becomes even more important.
Car insurance is a legal requirement but breakdown cover isn’t. It protects you if your car breaks down away from home and a mechanic will usually come to you to fix the car, or it will tow your car to the nearest garage.
Breakdown cover starts from around £50 a year (although there are often discounts on cashback websites), but before you buy, always check you don’t already have cover. You may have it included with your car insurance or another product such as your bank account.
Health benefits you may be able to claim over the winter
Getting ill over the winter can mean you need to take time off work or cancel upcoming events, both of which could cost you money – especially if you’re self employed. Flu peaks in the UK in December and January, according to the NHS, so if you’re eligible for a free vaccine, protecting yourself against the flu is important, both for yourself and others.
Free flu jabs have started
A flu jab can protect you and others over the winter from the illness. The current vaccine service, which includes protection against last year’s subclade-K strain, has started and if you’re eligible for a free jab, you will be contacted and invited to book an injection.
The first doses are being given to school children and pregnant women while other vulnerable groups, including those aged 65 and over, will be able to book an injection from October.
Children between 2 and 17 can also get a flu shot – delivered via a nasal spray rather than injection. Generally you don’t need to do more than fill in a consent form toy get one, but if your child isn’t in school yet or you miss the vaccination day you can still pick one up. The NHS site has the full details of how it all works.
If you’re not eligible for a free injection, you can usually pay for one. Prices vary considerably and are usually around £15 at high street chemists such as Boots.
Free (or cheap) meals for kids and families
Although most of the free kids deals which ran over the summer holidays have now ended, there are still offers available to help with the rising cost of living.
At Asda, for example, kids can get a £1 meal throughout the year and there’s no minimum spend by an adult. Both kids and adults can also get a free bowl of Kellogg’s cereal and a piece of fruit at a Morrisons Cafe, by asking for a “Kellogg’s breakfast” at the till.
