13 Expert Tips to Cut Your Energy Bills by Up to £2,400 This Winter
This October (2025) the energy price cap is rising by another 2%, pushing the average annual household bill up to around £1,755. For many families already feeling the squeeze, this increase adds yet more pressure to household budgets.
The Labour government had previously pledged to reduce energy bills by up to £300 by 2030, but with prices continuing to climb, many households are questioning how much difference government action will make in the short term.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain last month, Cabinet Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds recognised that rising energy costs are a major concern for households. He highlighted that prices remain significantly higher than before Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, with wholesale gas still around 75% higher than pre-war levels. He also explained that the government is taking a two-pronged approach: providing immediate support through an expanded Warm Homes Discount, which will give £150 to an extra 2.7 million households this winter, and working towards longer-term energy security by investing in clean, homegrown renewables and nuclear power.
While these measures may ease some of the pressure, they won’t necessarily cover the extra costs many of us are facing this winter. That’s where practical steps at home can make a real difference. As a plumbing and heating company with over 50 years’ experience, I’ve pulled together some straightforward ways for homeowners to cut energy costs – potentially saving up to £2,400 a year.
13 Expert Tips to Cut Your Energy Bills In Winter
1
Annual Boiler Servicing
From our experience, households that skip boiler servicing often see their boilers running up to 15% less efficiently. On today’s bills, that’s around £260 wasted every year – money that could easily be saved with a service costing less than half that. If you’re not sure what a boiler service entails, check out our boiler servicing expectations guide.
2
Thermostat Placement Mistakes
We regularly see thermostats fitted in hallways next to radiators or draughty doorways. That can add 10% to a heating bill because the thermostat shuts off too early or runs too long. On a £1,755 bill, that’s about £175 wasted every year just from poor placement.
3
Sludge Build-up in Radiators
In London homes with older systems, it’s not unusual to find radiators half full of sludge. That can reduce efficiency by 20–25%. For an average household, that’s nearly £400 a year lost until the system is flushed. Find out more about flushing your heating system here.
4
Leaking Taps and Hot Water Waste
We’re called out to plenty of dripping hot taps – one can waste 5,500 litres of hot water a year. That’s around £70 on heating costs, literally disappearing down the plughole.
5
Over-Sized or Under-Sized Boilers
A common issue in London flats is boilers that are too powerful for the property. They cycle on and off constantly, wasting fuel. We’ve seen households overpay by £150–£200 a year just because the boiler was mis-specified when fitted.
6
Unbalanced Systems
In a lot of homes, some rooms roast while others stay cold. That usually means the heating system isn’t balanced. Once we rebalance, customers often report turning their thermostat down by 1–2°C – that’s £100–£200 in savings straight away.
7
Forgotten Controls & Timers
Many customers don’t realise their programmers or timers are set incorrectly, often running heating when no one’s home. We’ve corrected timers that were adding £250 a year to bills just by heating an empty house.
8
Reducing Boiler Flow Temperature
We often see boilers running far hotter than they need to. Simply lowering the boiler flow temperature from 80°C to around 60°C can cut gas use by 8–10%. On today’s bills, that’s roughly £140–£175 a year saved, with no noticeable change in comfort for most households.
9
Old, Inefficient Radiators & Boilers
Older single-panel radiators can be up to 50% less efficient than modern double-panel or convector radiators. In practice, that means a household paying an extra £200–£300 a year just to heat the same room. We’ve upgraded radiators in London flats where the payback was less than three winters. Outdated heating systems compound the problem for many households. If you've got a 15-year-old boiler, it might only be around 70% efficient. On a £1,755 bill, that's like burning £525 straight out of the window each year. A modern condensing boiler at 90% efficiency can claw back £400+ of that wasted energy annually.
10
Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)
Homes without TRVs on their radiators often waste heat warming empty rooms. Adding TRVs typically saves 5–10% on bills – around £90–£175 a year – because you only heat the spaces you actually use. It’s one of the simplest upgrades with a quick return.
11
Insulating Pipework
We regularly find exposed heating and hot water pipes in lofts, cupboards and under floors. Wrapping them with lagging can save around £50–£70 a year, which is like getting a week’s heating for free every winter. It also helps hot water reach taps quicker, so people waste less running it.
12
Insulating Hot Water Cylinders
Many older cylinders only have thin factory insulation. Adding a proper British Standard cylinder jacket costs about £20 and saves up to £70 a year – basically paying for itself in a few months. We’ve seen customers fit one and instantly notice water staying hotter for longer.
13
Reflector Panels Behind Radiators
In London’s older housing stock, external walls often just suck heat away. Fitting reflective panels behind radiators can save £40–£60 a year – not life-changing, but it’s the cost of Sunday roasts covered over a winter. It’s low cost and lasts for years. If reflective panels don’t work for you, try tin foil!
If you need a professional to implement any of the strategies I’ve outlined above, please do not hesitate to contact the Maintracts team to find out how our expert heating services can help you.