31st October 2026
The first household energy bills reflecting the price cap increase introduced on 1 October are now arriving, and many families will be looking at the figures with growing concern. Unfortunately, there may be worse to come.
Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 4% for October to December 2026. The illustrative annual bill for a typical household paying by Direct Debit rose from £1,663 to £1,723. That is an increase of £60 a year, although the actual bill depends on how much energy a household uses. The increase has fallen particularly heavily on gas, with the unit price rising by around 9%.
There are also concerns about what happens in January. The House of Commons Library has reported forecasts suggesting further substantial increases in the next price cap, although wholesale markets remain volatile and forecasts are not guarantees.
That makes this a good time for households to look again at their energy habits. Some changes require investment, but many cost nothing at all.
The objective is not to sit in a cold house, but to stop wasting energy and make better use of the energy we pay for.
Start with the person, not the thermostat
One of the simplest ways to reduce heating costs is to dress for the season, even when indoors.
It might sound old-fashioned, but there is a lot to be said for bringing back some of the habits our parents and grandparents took for granted.
Thermal underwear, long johns, warm vests, thick socks and slippers can make a considerable difference to personal comfort. A fleece or cardigan over ordinary clothing, together with a warm dressing gown in the evening, can reduce the temptation to turn up the heating.
A warm hat indoors might seem an extreme measure, but for someone sitting relatively still in a chilly room it can help.
Several thin layers are generally more effective than relying on one heavy garment. Keeping feet warm is particularly important because cold feet can make the rest of the body feel uncomfortable.
Heated throws and electric blankets can also provide personal warmth without having to heat an entire room. They should always be used according to the manufacturer's instructions and checked for damage.
There is a simple principle here: heat the person rather than unnecessarily heating every corner of the house.
However, there is a health warning. NHS inform advises keeping regularly used rooms at around 18°C or above if possible. Older people and those with health conditions may need more warmth. Saving money should never mean putting health at risk.
Look at the heating itself
Heating is usually one of the largest elements of a household energy bill, so small adjustments can make a difference.
Start by looking at the thermostat and heating programme.
- Reduce heating when nobody is at home, provided this is appropriate for the heating system and the occupants.
- Avoid heating bedrooms and spare rooms unnecessarily.
- Close doors to keep warmth in the rooms being used.
- Use thermostatic radiator valves to control individual rooms where fitted.
- Set heating times to match household routines rather than leaving it running unnecessarily.
- Check that radiators are not blocked by furniture or heavy curtains.
Turning the thermostat down by a degree can help reduce consumption, provided the home remains comfortably warm.
It is also worth checking heating controls. Many households have programmers and thermostats but rarely adjust them after the initial installation.
A little time spent understanding how they work could save money throughout the winter.
Switch off what you are not using
Electricity is another area where households can make savings without changing their lifestyle dramatically.
Many appliances continue to consume electricity when left on standby. Televisions, games consoles, computers, chargers and other equipment are worth checking.
Switching off equipment at the plug when it is not needed can reduce unnecessary consumption, although some devices need to remain connected for updates, recording or other functions.
Lighting is another obvious starting point. Switch lights off when leaving rooms and replace older bulbs with LEDs when necessary.
It is also worth looking at kitchen habits.
Only boil the amount of water needed in the kettle. Use saucepan lids when cooking. Make full use of the oven when it is on, rather than heating it for one small item. Consider whether a microwave, air fryer or slow cooker might be more economical for particular meals.
The tumble dryer is another expensive appliance to use regularly. Where practical, dry clothes outside when the weather permits or use an indoor drying rack with appropriate ventilation.
Energy Saving Trust estimates that its ten straightforward household recommendations could save up to £313 a year in Great Britain. That is a useful indication of what can be achieved through a combination of relatively simple changes, although individual savings will vary.
Energy Saving Trust
Hot water is another hidden expense
Heating water uses energy, and there are several ways to reduce the amount needed.
Shorter showers can make a difference. Spending four minutes in the shower rather than ten is worth considering, particularly in households where several people shower daily.
Other practical measures include:
- Avoid leaving hot taps running unnecessarily.
- Wash clothes at 30°C where suitable.
- Make sure washing machines and dishwashers are used with reasonably full loads.
- Check hot water cylinder insulation if you have one.
- Fix dripping hot taps.
These are small changes, but repeated every day they can add up.
Stop heat escaping from the house
There is little point spending money heating a home if much of that warmth disappears through gaps around doors, windows and floors.
Draught excluders are relatively inexpensive and can make a noticeable difference. Letterboxes, unused chimneys and gaps around doors are all worth checking.
Curtains can help retain warmth, particularly in the evening. Closing them when it gets dark is a simple habit, although they should not cover radiators.
Loft insulation is particularly important. If insulation is inadequate, heat can escape through the roof. Cavity wall insulation, where appropriate, can also improve efficiency.
Some improvements cost money initially, but can provide savings over many winters.
There is an important qualification: draught-proofing should not prevent necessary ventilation. Poor ventilation can encourage condensation and mould, which create their own problems.
Keep an eye on the meter
Smart meters provide an opportunity to see how much energy is being used and when.
Households can experiment with different approaches and see whether they make a difference. For example, does reducing the heating programme by an hour actually reduce consumption? Is the tumble dryer responsible for more electricity use than expected?
It is also worth checking whether an alternative tariff might be cheaper.
Some suppliers offer cheaper electricity at particular times, including overnight or at weekends. These arrangements can be useful for people who can move activities such as washing, dishwashing or charging equipment to cheaper periods.
However, a cheaper overnight tariff is not automatically worthwhile. It depends on how much electricity can realistically be used during those hours.
Home Energy Scotland provides free, impartial advice on reducing energy consumption, improving insulation and finding suitable energy-saving measures. Its advisers can also explain what assistance may be available for home improvements.
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Don't make yourself ill to save money
There is a danger that the pressure of rising bills will encourage some households to turn their heating down too far.
That is particularly concerning for older people, those with disabilities, people with circulatory problems and families with young children.
Keeping a home adequately warm is important for health. Cold homes can contribute to respiratory problems, worsen existing conditions and increase the risk of other winter illnesses.
The answer is not to abandon heating altogether. It is to use it intelligently.
Heating the rooms being occupied, dressing appropriately, reducing draughts and avoiding unnecessary electricity consumption are all sensible measures.
Anyone struggling to pay should also contact their energy supplier rather than allowing arrears to build up. There may be repayment arrangements or other support available.
A winter of being more careful
There is a wider issue here. Households have already spent several years adjusting to higher living costs, and energy is one expense that cannot simply be eliminated.
The October increase is relatively modest when compared with some of the rises experienced during the energy crisis, but the outlook for January is worrying. Global gas prices, international conflicts and the availability of supplies could all influence what households eventually pay.
We cannot control international energy markets, but we can control some of our own consumption.
Perhaps it is time to rediscover a few habits from an earlier generation: putting on another jumper, wearing long johns, closing doors, switching off lights and making sure we are not heating empty rooms.
None of these measures is particularly exciting. Some might even seem a little harsh in an age when we have become accustomed to having everything available at the touch of a switch.
But there is a difference between going without and wasting less.
If energy prices continue to rise, the households that have already developed sensible energy-saving habits will be better placed to cope. And perhaps the best time to start is before the next bill arrives.
Energy Saving Trust Ten practical ways to save energy