How to be energy-wise in winter
Most of us use more energy in winter when the temperature drops, the nights draw in, and all we want to do is get under the duvet. But there are lots of ways to cut your consumption (and stay safe and healthy) without seeing a huge rise in your bills.
Did you know?
Gov.uk have free, personalised energy-saving advice for each home in Great Britain (whether you rent or own).
Pop in your postcode to unlock a report based on your home’s last Energy Performance certificate. Once on the page, scroll down to the bottom for steps you can take to boost your energy efficiency.
Here are some low-effort, high-impact ways to cut your winter bills:
1. Check your boiler flow
This is the temperature at which water leaves your boiler. Turn the little knob down a notch between 55 and 60 degrees – you won't notice a temperature change, but you may notice a change in your bills.
2. Stop pesky draughts
Ventilation is super important to stop damp and mould from building up, but a continuous draught is a different beast. Those holes and gaps can undo all the hard work of your heating, so it's best to fill them in.
3. Change your lights
LEDs use 70-80% less electricity and could save you between £4-10 per bulb per year. Don't be put off by the strip lights in your office. These days, there are tons of energy-efficient LED bulbs to choose from.
4. Control your thermostat
Stop yourself from going wild with the boost function by scheduling heating for when you need it. This keeps your home the right amount of cosy and costs less than repeatedly firing up the boiler.
5. Reduce your shower time
Getting out of the shower when it's zero degrees outside is painful, but is it as painful as an expensive heating bill? Cutting your shower time to 4 minutes could save a typical household up to £60 a year.
6. Get personalised energy advice
Gov.uk has a cool online tool with things you can do to improve your energy efficiency, from double glazing to better insulation. Best of all, the tips are based on your home's Energy Performance Certificate! Pop your postcode in to get started.
7. Consider switching tariff
On Octopus Tracker, we tell you the next day's energy rate so you can plan your energy use around it. Not only is this good for your wallet (real-time prices tend to be 30-40% cheaper than standard tariffs), but it's also good for the planet.
8. Invest in low-carbon tech
From heat pumps and EVs to solar panels and batteries – we're on a mission to bring super-green, energy-efficient tech to more homes across the UK. See how much cash and carbon you could save today.
Hey I'm Constantine, welcome to Octopus Energy!
×Close window