Save money on your gas and electricity
If you’re struggling to pay for your gas or electricity, or just want to spend less, there are some steps you can take to reduce what you pay.
Check if you’re getting the best energy deal
You could save money on your gas or electricity by changing your energy tariff or supplier.
At the end of a fixed-term, it’s a good idea to check which tariffs and suppliers can offer you a better deal. If you don’t do anything, your current supplier might move you to their ‘standard tariff’ - this is usually more expensive than other available tariffs.
You can use our price comparison service to compare energy prices from all the UK energy suppliers.
If you have a prepayment meter
You can usually still switch suppliers to save money if you have a prepayment meter. The exception is if you owe more than £500 for gas or £500 for electricity.
You could also save money by replacing your prepayment meter with one that lets you pay after using energy rather than in advance. As well as getting lower prices, you won’t have to worry about running out of credit.
Most suppliers won’t charge you for removing a prepayment meter, though many will run a credit check or ask you for a deposit.
Get benefits and grants to help you pay your bills
You might be eligible for certain grants and benefits if you’re elderly, disabled, on a low income or in debt to your supplier.
Try to use less energy
You can easily start to use less energy by:
- using your heating controls effectively such as thermostats, radiator valves and timers - you could save over £100 a year by only heating your home and water when you need it
- replacing an old-style lightbulb with an energy-efficient one - you could save £50 over the lifetime of the bulb
- turning off appliances left on standby - you could save around £30 a year
You’ll find it easier to reduce your bills if you keep track of how much energy you’re using.
You can monitor your use by looking at your annual statement, if you've been with your supplier for more than a year. This will tell you how much energy you used in the past year, compared to the year before. Your supplier should’ve sent this to you, so ring them if you haven’t received it or can’t find it.
You can also look at your most recent energy bill to see how much energy you consumed in the period the bill covers. You can then compare it to the previous bill you received. Use our tool for understanding your energy bill if you’re not sure where to find your energy consumption.
Another option is to buy an energy monitor. This is an electrical device that tells you how much energy you’re using. You might also be able to borrow one from your local council or library - contact them to find out if this is possible.
Get a smart meter
A smart meter is a new type of energy meter that will eventually be introduced in homes throughout the UK.
It has a digital display that lets you keep track of how much energy you’re using, which will help you use less. It can also send data about your usage to your energy supplier to make sure you get accurate energy bills.
Find out more about getting a smart meter.
Make your home more energy-efficient
You could cut your bills by installing insulation, glazing or a more efficient heating system in your home. However, this will cost money up front. If you're on a low income you may be eligible for help with these costs. Use the GOV.UK energy grants calculator to check.
If you live in a rented property, you'll need to get your landlord's permission before agreeing to any major energy efficiency improvements. From 2016, your landlord can't refuse reasonable requests for improvements, as long as you can find funding for them. This is because of rules in the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) Regulations 2015.
To make sure you make the right changes to your property, you can:
- use the Energy Saving Trust’s Home Energy Checker
- look up the recommendations in your property’s Energy Performance Certificate, if you have one (you'll only have one if you moved into your home after 2008)
- visit an energy-efficient ‘show home’ that has already had measures installed
If you get work done, try to find a trustworthy trader.
Getting help from your energy supplier
Your energy supplier might be able to offer you a grant to make improvements, for example through the Energy Company Obligation. This could include insulation or a replacement boiler. What you can get depends on your circumstances and what would help your home.
Speak to your supplier to see if they offer a scheme. You can also call the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234. They can advise you on schemes by other energy suppliers, not just your own.
Further help
Read our guidance if you can’t afford to pay your bills or you’re in debt to your supplier.
You can get help and advice on saving money on your bills from the Energy Saving Advice Service.
Telephone: 0300 123 1234
Email: energy-advice@est.org.uk
Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm, Saturday, 10am to 2pm
Calls to this number can cost up to 12p a minute from a landline, or between 3p and 45p a minute from a mobile (your phone supplier can tell you how much you’ll pay).