How to reduce your energy bill without spending thousands

The single most effective free change. Most homes are set to 21°C. Dropping to 20°C saves roughly £80 a year. You are unlikely to notice the difference. If you currently have it at 22°C or above, the savings are even larger.

If you have a combi boiler, turning the heating flow temperature down to 55°C makes it run in condensing mode, which is significantly more efficient. It takes a few minutes and costs nothing. Your radiators will feel slightly cooler to the touch but your home should reach the same temperature. The Heating Hub has a step-by-step guide.

Set your heating to come on 30 minutes before you need it and turn off 30 minutes before you leave or go to bed. Do not leave it on all day at a low temperature. Despite the persistent myth, it is cheaper to heat your home only when you need it.

Modern detergents work just as well at 30°C as 40°C for everyday washing. The heating element is the most power-hungry part of the machine. Skip the tumble dryer when you can and use a clothes airer instead, that alone saves around £60 a year.

Not as dramatic as it sounds, but it adds up. The worst offenders are set-top boxes, games consoles left in rest mode, and older TVs. Modern appliances use very little on standby (under 1 watt), so focus on the older devices. A standby saver plug strip makes this easy.

Self-adhesive foam strips for doors and windows cost a few pounds per roll. A letterbox draught excluder costs about £5. A door draught excluder (the brush type that fits at the bottom) costs £5 to £15. These are the most cost-effective improvements you can make. You will notice the difference immediately.

For a more comprehensive look, see our insulation guide.

If you still have halogen or old-style bulbs, switching to LED is one of the fastest paybacks available. An LED bulb uses about 80% less electricity and lasts 15 to 25 times longer. Replacing 10 halogen downlights at £3 each saves £40 to £60 a year. The bulbs pay for themselves in a few months.

If you have a hot water cylinder (not a combi boiler), an insulating jacket keeps the water hot for longer and reduces how often the boiler fires up to reheat it. A 75mm jacket from any DIY shop takes 15 minutes to fit. If your existing jacket is thinner than 50mm, it is worth upgrading.

If your radiators are on external walls (most are), a reflective panel behind them bounces heat back into the room instead of warming the wall. The savings are modest but the cost is tiny. Prioritise radiators on uninsulated external walls.

A smart thermostat (Hive, Nest, tado) learns your routine and adjusts automatically. The real savings come from features like geofencing (turns heating off when everyone leaves), room-by-room control (with TRVs), and weather compensation. Independent studies suggest savings of 10-15% on heating bills. For a home spending £1,000 a year on gas, that is £100 to £150.

If your loft has less than 270mm of insulation, topping it up is one of the best investments available. You can do it yourself with rolls from a DIY shop. About a quarter of heat loss in an uninsulated home goes through the roof. Check if you qualify for free loft insulation through GBIS or ECO4.