20 ways to save electricity and cut your bills

Many of us set the heating to 20°C or higher, but 18°C is warm enough for healthy adults, according to the World Health Organisation.

Estimates from EDF suggest that reducing the temperature on your thermostat by just one degree could save the typical household £128 a year.

If you’ve got a combi boiler, you could be using more energy than you need.

• flow temperature - this is the water that heats your radiators. It’s generally set higher than necessary, so set it to around 60°C.
• hot water temperature - this is also often set too high. You shouldn’t need to dilute the hot water in your bath with cold water, so about 55°C should be hot enough.
• pre-heat function - although this heats water more quickly, it uses more energy, so you can save money by turning it off.

You only need to heat the spaces you spend time in, so turn off radiators in rooms you’re not using.

If it’s getting a bit chilly, put on an extra layer of clothing and getting cosy underneath a blanket before putting on the heating.

Closing your curtains in the evening can reduce heat loss by up to 17%, according to EDF, helping your home stay warmer for longer.

Heating water costs money, so make a few small changes such as:

• taking shorter showers
• swapping baths for showers
• using a water-saving shower head
• using a washing-up bowl instead of running the tap

Don’t run it unless it’s full.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, cutting your dishwasher use by one cycle a week could save households £17 a year.

Always wash a full load and use a 30°C setting where you can. Reducing your washes by just one load a week could save £34 a year.

Tumble driers consume lots of energy, so you could save money by using yours sparingly. Meanwhile, make sure you clean the filters regularly so that your machine runs as efficiently as possible.

Fridges should be set to 5°C and freezers at -18°C.

If you have them set colder, you’re wasting energy and money.

You can also make sure these appliances are operating efficiently.

For example, clean the coils on your back of your fridge regularly and defrost your freezer when frost builds up.

Fill the kettle with just the water you’re using - it’s quicker and could save around £13 a year.

You’re wasting energy if you leave your mobile plugged in overnight.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, turning devices off at the wall rather than leaving them on standby can save households around £65 a year.

Keeping doors shut helps keep heat in the room you’re using and cuts down on draughts.

Don’t leave lights on when you don’t need them - this could save around £25 a year.

Make sure your radiators are operating as efficiently as possible by bleeding them regularly.

When you’re cooking a meal, make enough so there’s some leftovers that can go in the fridge or freezer.

That means you’ve got another meal ready without having to use your oven as much.

LEDs use 80–90% less energy than traditional bulbs.

You can keep your boiler running efficiently by getting it serviced once a year.

As well as keeping your heating bill down, it also helps you avoid expensive repairs.

Smart meters allow you to track your energy usage and costs, which can help you manage your household budget and see where you can cut back.

According to Energy UK, 86% of people with smart meter users have reduced their energy usage after changing their meter.