Energy Saving Tips
Small changes.
Real savings.
Practical ways to use less energy, reduce household bills and lower your carbon footprint — without making life complicated.
Save energy. Save money.
Live more sustainably.
You don’t have to change everything at once. Pick a few practical actions that suit your home and lifestyle, see what works, and build from there.
What’s your household footprint?
Explore your household energy, travel and lifestyle footprint and discover where practical changes could make the biggest difference.
Calculate my Energy & Carbon Footprint →Renewable Energy Quiz
Wind, solar, the electricity grid and renewable energy. How much do you know? Take our quick interactive quiz.
Take the Renewable Energy Quiz →Start with the energy you use at home
Heating, lighting and household appliances are great places to start when looking for ways to reduce energy consumption.
Switch to LED lighting
Replace older bulbs with LEDs. They use much less electricity and generally last considerably longer.
Take control of heating
Use timers and thermostatic controls so you heat your home when and where you actually need it.
Keep the heat in
Loft and wall insulation, draught proofing and improved glazing can reduce unnecessary heat loss.
Cut unnecessary standby use
Switch appliances off when they aren’t needed and pay attention to equipment that stays powered all day.
Use appliances efficiently
Run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads, use eco programmes and air-dry clothes where practical.
Explore renewable energy
Solar PV, battery storage and low-carbon heating may reduce purchased energy, depending on your property.
Greener food choices
Small changes to what we buy, cook and throw away can help reduce both waste and environmental impact.
Try more plant-based meals
Adding meat-free meals to your week can help reduce the environmental impact of your diet.
Buy seasonal
Look for seasonal produce and support local growers and food businesses where practical.
Cook efficiently
Match the appliance to the meal. Microwaves, air fryers and slow cookers can be efficient for many dishes.
Choose sustainable seafood
Look for recognised sustainability information when choosing fish and seafood.
Grow something
Herbs, salad leaves, tomatoes or vegetables can be grown in gardens, containers and even small spaces.
Reduce food waste
Plan meals, use leftovers and freeze food before it goes to waste.
Rethink shorter journeys
Not every journey can be changed, but walking, cycling, sharing journeys and public transport can all make a difference.
Walk when you can
For shorter journeys, walking can save fuel while adding useful everyday exercise.
Cycle shorter journeys
Cycling can provide an alternative to the car for some local trips.
Use public transport
Consider buses and trains when they offer a practical alternative to driving.
Share journeys
Car sharing can reduce the number of vehicles making the same journey.
Consider an EV
If you’re replacing a vehicle, an electric vehicle may be worth considering alongside your mileage and charging options.
Think about flights
Where realistic, consider rail or other alternatives, particularly for shorter journeys.
Save water — and the energy behind it
Water requires energy to collect, treat and pump. Using less hot water can also directly reduce household energy consumption.
Keep showers sensible
Reducing the length of showers can save both water and the energy required to heat it.
Use less water when flushing
Dual-flush toilets and suitable water-saving devices can reduce unnecessary water use.
Collect rainwater
A water butt provides free rainwater for plants and reduces the need to use treated tap water in the garden.
Buy less. Keep it longer.
Extending the life of clothes is one of the simplest ways to reduce the impact associated with fashion.
Wear clothes for longer
Look after what you already own and repair items rather than automatically replacing them.
Shop second-hand
Charity shops, resale sites and clothing swaps can give perfectly good clothes a second life.
Think before buying
Consider quality, durability and how often you’ll genuinely wear an item before purchasing it.
Reduce first. Reuse next. Recycle.
Recycling matters, but avoiding unnecessary waste in the first place can be even better.
Reduce packaging
Choose refillable products and avoid unnecessary packaging where practical.
Recycle correctly
Make use of local recycling collections and check which materials are accepted.
Compost suitable waste
Home composting can turn suitable garden and uncooked food waste into something useful.
Make space for nature
Plant trees and shrubs
Suitable planting can support wildlife, provide shade and improve local biodiversity.
Choose peat-free compost
Look for peat-free compost when buying growing media for pots and gardens.
Support wildlife
Pollinator-friendly flowers and varied planting can provide useful habitats for insects and other wildlife.
Don’t try to change everything at once
Sustainable living should be achievable. Start with a few changes that work for you, share what you’ve learned and support others in your community.
Look after your wellbeing
Walking, cycling and spending time outside can support wellbeing as well as reducing car use.
Get involved locally
Volunteering and community projects can make individual actions part of something much bigger.
Share what works
Practical ideas spread. Tell friends, neighbours and family about changes that have worked for you.
Ready to see where you could make a difference?
Use our free household calculator to explore your energy and carbon footprint — or test your renewable energy knowledge with our interactive quiz.