British Gas, EDF and Octopus Energy customers could save £230 on energy bills with 'small changes'

Temie Laleye
Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:58:58 +0000

British households could reduce their annual energy costs by up to £230 through straightforward, affordable adjustments at home, according to an industry specialist.

With energy bills still high in 2026, many think cutting costs requires big investment, but experts say small changes can still save money.

Gordon Wallis from Your NRG has outlined a series of practical measures that deliver meaningful reductions without requiring costly installations or new equipment.

"People often think they need to install smart technology or replace their boiler to cut costs, but in reality small everyday changes can deliver significant savings," Mr Wallis said.

With energy prices continuing to strain household budgets in 2026, many assume that substantial investment is necessary to lower bills.

However, the expert maintains that minor modifications to daily routines and home setup can produce considerable financial benefits.

One of the most effective methods involves applying bubble wrap to windows, which proves particularly beneficial in older properties with single glazing.

"A layer of trapped air can reduce heat loss significantly, especially in properties with single glazing," Wallis explained.

The kitchen offers substantial opportunities for cutting costs as well.

Opting for a microwave rather than a conventional oven when preparing smaller portions can trim more than £100 from annual bills.

"Cooking smarter is one of the easiest wins. You are using less energy for the same result," the expert noted.

Additionally, placing lids on saucepans during cooking can slash both preparation time and energy consumption by approximately half.

Significant savings frequently stem from addressing energy consumption that goes unnoticed by most households.

Boiler settings represent a prime example, with many combi boilers featuring a preheat function that maintains hot water availability throughout the day.

"Many combi boilers have a preheat function that keeps hot water ready all day. Turning that off alone can save around £100 a year," Mr Wallis said.

Wrapping insulation around hot water pipes offers another overlooked fix that prevents unnecessary heat escaping.

Laundry habits present further opportunities for efficiency gains.

Placing a dry towel inside the tumble dryer accelerates the drying process, whilst wool dryer balls enhance airflow throughout the load.

"These simple adjustments reduce how long appliances need to run, which directly lowers your energy use," the expert added.

Adjusting daily routines can generate steady reductions over time as well.

Households switching to off-peak tariffs such as Economy 7 benefit from running appliances during overnight hours when rates are cheaper.

Even small actions like powering down WiFi routers when not in use contribute to lower bills.

"Even something as simple as switching your router off overnight could save £20 to £30 a year," Mr Wallis said.

The expert also encouraged people to investigate whether they qualify for government assistance programmes, including grants for insulation and boiler replacements.

"There is financial support available that many people never claim. It is always worth checking what help you might be entitled to," he added.