Gas and electricity

Top tips for saving on your gas and electricity

Take regular meter readings

• Take monthly readings to stay on top of your usage and upload them through your energy provider’s website or app.
• After three months, contact your supplier and ask them to provide an updated bill to see where you are and whether you may need to amend your regular payment.
• If you use an up-to-date smart meter, you don’t need to take meter readings.

Free smart meters

Millions of households currently use a smart meter in their home, if you don’t have one yet, your supplier may be able to install one for free at your property.

Prepayment meters

A prepayment meter lets you top up your energy using a card or key, helping you manage your energy use and finances more closely. This type of meter won’t suit everyone, so check with your supplier whether it’d be a good option for you.

Ask for data from your supplier

Your supplier can provide an average breakdown of your energy usage across various appliances. This knowledge could help you reduce your consumption over time.

Direct Debit switch

Paying by Direct Debit is often cheaper and helps manage your energy costs within your budget.

Switch and save

Switching to a cheaper energy provider can save you money. Compare prices regularly to find better deals.

1. Explore your options – Use a comparison website like MoneySuperMarket or GoCompare to help you decide whether it’s worth switching.
2. Pick a deal that’s right for you – Consider the cost, the length of the contract and whether there’s an exit fee.
3. Change providers – You can switch providers directly by contacting your current supplier or by going through a comparison site. Your supplier’s responsible for the switching process, so you won’t have to do anything during the swap (although it’s a good idea to take a meter reading on the day of the switch to make sure your final bill’s accurate).

Emergency support and credit

You can access emergency credit through your meter if you’re running low on gas or electricity. If this isn’t enough, contact your supplier, who is required to offer additional support to make sure you stay supplied.

This support may include:

• Emergency credit if you’re struggling to pay
• Friendly-hours credit if your top-up points are closed
• Additional support credit if you’re in vulnerable situation

Any temporary credit will usually be deducted from your next top-up, but you can request a payment plan to spread the cost based on what you can afford.

Fuel vouchers

If you can’t top up your pre-payment meter, you can request a fuel voucher from your local council or a food bank. This voucher, sent via letter, text or email, can be used at PayPoint or Payzone shops or the Post Office to add credit to your gas or electricity meter.

If you’re not connected to the gas grid and rely on alternative heating methods (like oil, LPG, coal or wood) you may also qualify for a fuel voucher. You’ll need to show you can’t afford to buy fuel or won’t be able to afford to soon.

Government and local support

Cold Weather Payment

If you’re receiving certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI), you may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment of £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather (when the temperature is at or below 0°C).

Winter Fuel Payment

If you’re aged 65 or older (born on or before 25 September 1956), you may receive a Winter Fuel Payment between £100 and £300 to help with heating costs.

Child Winter Heating Assistance (Scotland)

This payment helps families with disabled children and young people in Scotland cover extra heating costs during winter.

Help to Heat

You may be eligible for grants to improve the energy efficiency of your home, which could help to reduce your energy bills.

Support from your local authority

Your local council may provide support if you can’t top up your pre-payment meter. They may be able to help you access fuel vouchers, crisis loans and grants.

Tax relief for working from home

If you work from home regularly, for either all or some of the week, you may be able to claim tax relief for the additional gas and electricity costs related to your work.

Specialised assistance for certain households

The Winter Warm Network

The Lightning Reach portal allows you to easily find and apply for support from multiple providers. This includes help with energy bills, fuel vouchers, home efficiency upgrades and energy advice. Sign up on the Lightning Reach website to get your personalised list of support options.

The Priority Services Register

If you’re classed as being in a vulnerable situation (e.g. you’re elderly, disabled, pregnant or have young children) you may qualify for the Priority Services Register. This service offers tailored support, including assistance with prepayment meters, priority customer support and other essential services.

Warm banks

Warm banks are public spaces (like libraries or museums) offering warmth to people who can’t afford to heat their homes during winter. Over 3,000 registered organisations provide these spaces across the country.

If you use an oxygen concentrator

If you use an oxygen concentrator, you may be eligible for reimbursement of the electricity costs associated with its use.

If you use oil to heat your home

Heating oil costs can fluctuate based on factors like the price of crude oil, the amount purchased, suppliers and the time of year. Here are ways to save money on heating oil:

• Buy in bulk – Larger quantities often come with a discount.
• Check for group buying schemes – Some areas offer collective buying schemes where multiple households buy oil together to get a better rate.
• Shop around – Compare prices from different suppliers before buying.
• Monitor oil prices – Prices can fluctuate, so keep an eye on market trends.
• Maintain your tank – Regular maintenance can improve efficiency which can save you money in the long-term.

Government support for home improvements

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grants to homeowners in England and Wales to replace oil, gas or electric boilers with eco-friendly heat pumps or biomass boilers.

In Scotland, you may qualify for an interest-free loan or grant for home energy efficiency upgrades.

In Northern Ireland, grants are available to help replace your boiler.

Gas safety

Suppliers offer free gas safety checks every 12 months to help keep your boiler efficient, reduce bills and ensure safety. You can request a check if you receive means-tested benefits and meet any of the following criteria:

• You live with a child under five.
• You live with other people who are over pension age, disabled or chronically ill.
• You live alone and meet one of these conditions.

If you rent, your landlord is responsible for ensuring gas appliance safety.

Additional Energy Support Programmes

Octopus Energy / Octo Assist

Octopus Energy has a rewards scheme where customers with smart meters can earn rewards for using less energy during peak times. Additionally, if you meet certain criteria, you may receive a free electric blanket through the Octo Assist programme, designed for customers with extra needs.  

British Gas / PeakSave

With PeakSave, British Gas customers can save money by making small changes to when they use electricity. This includes getting half-price electricity every Sunday from 11am – 4pm.

Top tips for reducing your energy use

Cut costs and reduce your energy usage with these simple actions:

• Turn off standby devices – Research by British Gas shows UK households could save up to £147 a year by switching off appliances and devices in standby mode.
• Use draft excluders – Prevent heat loss through doors and windows to reduce your heating costs.
• Lower your combi boiler’s flow temperature.
• Turn off radiators in rooms you aren’t using.
• Switch off appliances at the socket.
• Wash clothes at lower temperatures.
• Use your tumble dryer less.
• Close curtains and blinds at night to retain heat.
• Track your energy usage using an app to stay on top of consumption.