To quickly cut down heating bills, lower your thermostat by 1∘C 1∘C to 2∘C 2∘C, seal drafts around windows and doors with caulk or weatherstripping, and ensure radiators are unblocked by furniture. Small habit changes, like closing curtains at night, can also yield immediate savings.
Lower the thermostat setting to between 50° and 55°F. If the fireplace is never used, plug and seal the chimney flue. Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room. Check the seal on the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible.
Insulate central heating and hot water pipes
Insulating central heating and hot water pipes might reduce the amount of lost heat, which helps you save energy and money on your heating bills. You don't need to insulate every pipe - ask a plumber or heating engineer if any of your pipes are worth insulating.
Here are the most significant home electricity users:
When you are home, it's recommended to turn your thermostat down to 68°F for 8 hours a day. You'll be able to maximize your savings by making sure your home is properly insulated so it loses less heat. Overall, turning your heater off during the day when you're not home is the best way to save on heating costs.
Your HVAC system is typically the biggest energy consumer, followed by your water heater and refrigerator. These appliances work hard to heat, cool and run 24/7.
Full Day usage: $0.12 x 24 hours = $2.88
It is important to note that this is an extremely simplified way to estimate your cost of running the heaters. In some states electric rates can vary based on the time of day or can increase once you reach a certain kW threshold per month.
The Top Energy-Draining Appliance: Space Heating & Cooling
This includes both forced-air systems, heat pumps, furnaces, baseboards, window A/C units, and fans. Because they run for long periods and often at high wattage, they dominate the consumption profile.
Incandescent lights should be turned off whenever they are not needed, because they are the least efficient type of lighting. 90% of the energy they use is given off as heat, and only about 10% results in light. Turning lights off will also keep a room cooler, an extra benefit in the summer.
What uses the most gas at home?
The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.
To save money, aim to have your temperature set around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake. This is a comfortable temperature for most with the help of a light sweater. Overnight and when you're out, around 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your home at a good temperature.
The average monthly energy bill in the UK is £137 for a medium-sized household (2-3 people). This includes both gas and electricity. Costs vary depending on location, household size, and energy usage.
The cheapest electric heaters to run are modern electric radiators with smart thermostats or infrared panels used for targeted heating, as they minimise wasted energy and optimise usage. Running cost depends on how efficiently heat is controlled, not just the heater type.
Electric heating systems and tumble dryers tend to be the most expensive electrical items to run because they use large amounts of power over extended periods. Other high-cost appliances include electric ovens and immersion heaters.
The answer to when to do laundry to save money
Most people will see that they have a lower tariff overnight, usually between 11 pm and 7 am. This is the best time to do your washing as you'll save money. Saving money on electricity is only part of the equation.
The Argument for Leaving the Heating On
This approach might seem convenient, as it avoids the discomfort of waiting for the house to warm up. However, most experts agree that it's usually cheaper to heat your home only when you need it.
China consumes by far the most electricity of any country in the world, with almost 9,000 terawatt-hours equivalent consumed in 2024.
To calculate the cost of running a 1500-watt heater for 24 hours in the US, you need to know the electricity cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh). If the average cost is about 16 cents per kWh (as of early 2023), the heater uses 1.5 kW x 24 hours = 36 kWh. Therefore, the cost would be 36 kWh x 16 cents = 5,76.
Idle Appliances
Common culprits include TVs, cable boxes, printers, phone chargers and kitchen appliances. Even when powered down, these idle appliances consume electricity that shows up on your energy bill.
Many people leave their kettle plugged in at all times, thinking it doesn't use much power. However, kettles with digital displays or standby functions can still draw electricity even when they're not actively boiling water. How to Reduce Standby Energy Waste: Unplug the kettle when not in use.
Let's break down the top energy-consuming appliances in most homes and what you can do to keep costs under control.