There’s no getting around the fact that upgrades like fully insulating a home or installing solar panels and heat pumps come at a significant cost. For this reason, there are limits to what one can achieve on a low budget and with limited time. However, you can still take impactful measures to save money and move towards greener energy usage without spending a lot of money on costly renovations.
We’ve gathered together six simple actions you can take to make your home more energy efficient and cheaper to run.
For an overview of the long-term upgrades and possible savings available for your own home, try out our .1. Monitor your energy usage
You can’t save money on energy and become more energy efficient if you don’t know how much gas and electricity you use on a regular basis, so get into the habit of monitoring your usage. Several energy companies offer apps that provide information about energy usage. You'll need a smark meter, as these apps work alongside a smart meter to show you how much energy you’re using in real time and how much it costs.
Monitor your energy use and use that information to determine where and when you can limit your usage. You'll be able to see how much your bills spike when you're running a load of laundry or using your cooking appliances, so that you can make more informed choices about how you can make savings.
Find out more about ways to2. Adjust your boiler settings
You may not be using your boiler efficiently, making heating your home more expensive and less efficient.
Lowering your combi boiler's flow temperature takes minutes and can lower your bills over time. Condensing combi boilers tend to have heating flow temperatures set to 75-80°C, but many homes with one can be suitably warmed at 50-70°C. Lowering this setting means your boiler uses less gas and runs more efficiently.
We wouldn't recommend jumping to the lowest setting straight away. Instead, start with a slight change and see if you're comfortable before lowering it further. It’s also a good idea to run any adjustments by a boiler engineer next time you get your boiler serviced.
If you're switching off your central heating on the way into spring, people with combi boilers might still be able to make savings by turning down the temperature your boiler heats your hot water to on demand. The perfect temperature will depend on your set up, so try a few options.
Note that these adjustments are only applicable to those with combi boilers. If you have a hot water cylinder that stores water, your settings need to be set by a boiler engineer. They need to be kept hot enough to avoid the build-up of bacteria in your storage tank.
Find out more about3. Draftproof your home
The more heat that escapes from your home or specific rooms you’re heating, the harder your boiler needs to work. This can translate to less energy usage and lower costs over time.
Some companies charge a fee to draftproof your home, but several DIY methods are affordable and simple enough to complete in a few hours.
To mitigate drafts in your home, focus on obvious areas like doors, windows and fireplaces and less obvious places like floorboards and loft hatches.
While banishing drafts from your home will improve your energy efficiency and help lower your bills, remember that you do still need some ventilation in your home, so don't seal up intended vents.
4. Switch energy providers
Switching to a more sustainable energy provider won't guarantee lower bills, but it can have a positive impact on your overall carbon footprint.
In 2024, we assessed energy companies based on various sustainability criteria. Our research shows some energy firms are doing much more than others regarding sustainability, with the top-ranked providers (Octopus Energy, Ecotricity and Good Energy) leading the way in areas like generating renewable power and helping customers cut their greenhouse gas emissions.
Find out more aboutWith energy bills for those on price-capped variable tariffs increasing in April 2025, we've seen fixed deals that will save you money compared to the price cap.
Head to our guide to to see the latest cheap energy tariffs, and use our free, independent to compare gas and electricity prices and find the best provider for you.5. Change the way you use your appliances
You don’t need to rush out and buy the latest energy-efficient dryer or fridge. There are several small but effective ways you can adjust your appliance usage to save money and make your home more energy efficient.
When the time does come to buy new appliances for your home, investing in energy-efficient models can help cut costs in the long run.
Which? Eco Buys highlight the products with the smallest environmental impact out of all the models we’ve tested in their category.
To be an Eco Buy, a product must have a lower impact on the environment than alternative models. This can be proved in a number of ways, from being very energy efficient and therefore saving electricity with every usage, to being easily repairable. We also consider whether the product is from a brand with a proven reliability record, meaning it's more likely to last a long time.
Find out more6. Spend a weekend doing some DIY insulation
A better-insulated home will be more comfortable and energy efficient and will save money on energy bills. If professional insulation installation isn’t within your budget, there are still several DIY solutions that can go some way towards limiting your energy usage.
If you have some time and don’t mind a bit of heavy lifting, DIY loft insulation is something you can achieve over the weekend. A large portion of heat escapes the home through the ceiling, so insulating the loft area can make a significant difference to your heating costs.
While DIY is a viable route for cold lofts and pipes regarding wall, floor and ceiling insulation, it’s best to stick with the professionals.
For an overview of the long-term upgrades and possible savings available for your own home, put your details into our fresource https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/make-your-home-more-energy-efficient-in-one-weekend-aYZLR9b0ouYJ