3 things people with low energy bills always have

With the looming threat of rising energy prices hanging over our heads, it’s the ideal time to cut energy wastage and ensure you are only paying for the energy you actually need.

While it’s not yet clear when exactly energy bills will go up, and how much by, acting now means you have the best chance of limiting the impact of any potential increases.

And for the most meaningful and positive impact on your own bills, take inspiration from what those with low energy bills always have.

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1. They use smart heating controls

Investing in smart heating controls is a good idea to save energy at home. They’ll allow you to control your heating room by room, ensuring you don’t waste money by heating rooms that you don’t that often to the same extent that you heat the rooms you use most regularly.

‘Installing a robust set of controls, including a programmer, a thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves can save up to £110 a year*,’ says Martyn Bridges, Director of External Affairs at Worcester Bosch. ‘For even more assurance, why not install a smart thermostat? A smart thermostat is connected to an app, turning your phone into a remote control allowing you to manage your home heating from anywhere. You can also control your heating zonally, ensuring you’re paying to only heat the rooms you need to.’

*Figure correct as of July 2025, source: Energy Saving Trust

Beyond your heating controls, smart plugs can help you control all of your appliances from your phone and make sure that they aren’t needlessly wasting energy when not in use. This 4-pack of Tapo P100 smart plugs (£27.20 from Amazon) is especially well-reviewed.

2. They have a well-insulated home

When you consider the fact that heating and hot water accounts for a large portion of the monthly energy bill, those with low bills always make sure that their home is capable of maintaining a comfortable temperature. And that comes down to insulation.

‘Good insulation keeps warmth in during winter and prevents excess heat in summer, reducing the amount of energy your home needs year-round,’ says Simon Bones, the founder and CEO of Genous. ‘Topping up loft insulation to recommended depths can make a noticeable difference to both comfort and bills. If you live in a property with older, unfilled cavity walls, professional insulation can significantly improve heat retention and overall efficiency, as long as it’s suitable for your building type and location. Consulting an expert ensures the right materials and methods are used for the best long-term results.’

Addressing pesky draughts around windows, doors and loft hatches will also help to keep heat in during the winters months, and out during the summer months, all without using any gas or electricity.

3. They adopt good habits

For the most impact on energy bills, you will need to make some relatively easy lifestyle changes. And those with low energy bills adopt lots of new daily habits, and stick to them.

‘Small habit tweaks around appliances give strong returns with almost no effort,’ says Shay Ramani, Founder & Managing Director of Free Price Compare. ‘Wash at 30°C, run full loads, and use the eco programme on the dishwasher so the machine heats less water and runs more efficiently. In the kitchen, put lids on pans, size the hob ring to the pan, and use the microwave or an air fryer for small portions, which cuts preheat and wasted heat compared with a full oven.’

Turning off vampire appliances is also a key way to avoid wasting energy. ‘Kill standby on TVs, set‑top boxes and games consoles overnight with a master switch or smart power strip so they aren’t sipping power for hours you’re asleep. If you dry clothes indoors, place the rack in a room with some airflow and, if needed, run an extractor briefly to move moisture out so you don’t reach for the tumble dryer.

‘These changes take seconds to set up, cost little or nothing, and quietly chip away at daily consumption without affecting comfort.’