Households are being urged to act as the clocks go forward this Sunday, March 29, with experts warning the seasonal shift presents a key opportunity to cut energy bills.
The move to lighter evenings offers a natural point for families to reassess daily routines that could be quietly adding hundreds of pounds to annual costs.
The warning comes as energy prices remain under pressure, with wholesale costs rising following recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
British Gas has indicated that bills could rise by around nine per cent from July, increasing the urgency for consumers to find savings where possible.
Industry experts say simple changes to heating use and bathroom habits could deliver combined savings of more than £340 a year.
These are low-effort adjustments that can be implemented immediately, offering some relief ahead of expected price increases.
Stephen Hankinson, an energy efficiency specialist at Electric Radiators Direct, said households should take advantage of the clock change to review their heating controls and ensure they are not using more energy than necessary.
"It's important to check your thermostat as soon as possible after the clocks spring forward on the 29th March," Mr Hankinson advises.
"If your thermostat isn't digital, you will need to manually adjust the time so that your heating turns on and off at the times you want it to."
While many modern smart thermostats update automatically, Mr Hankinson recommends verifying the settings regardless.
Households should take advantage of the clock change to review their heating controls
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Beyond timing adjustments, the expert suggests lowering the temperature setting itself. Spring typically brings milder weather, reducing the need for constant heating.
"But if you're concerned about the early mornings being slightly chillier and you don't want to turn your heating off completely, just reducing your heating temperature by 3°C can help save energy bills," he explains.
According to Mr Hankinson, decreasing from 21°C to 18°C could deliver savings exceeding £270 annually based on current average usage figures.
Bathroom habits offer another avenue for meaningful savings. British Gas recommends adhering to a four-minute shower rule, a simple adjustment that could return £70 to the average household each year.
"Cut your shower time to just 4 minutes, and you could save up to £70 a year," the energy supplier states in its guidance.
Bathroom habits offer another avenue for meaningful saving
| GETTYShowering may seem inexpensive, but with many people washing daily or even twice daily, costs accumulate rapidly, particularly for those who enjoy lingering under hot water.
The environmental benefits are equally compelling. The Energy Saving Trust calculates that shorter showers can conserve approximately 17,000 litres of water annually per household.
For those who prefer occasional baths, substituting just one weekly soak with a brief shower instead can yield £10 in yearly savings whilst preserving 4,000 litres of water, according to the Trust.
Those reluctant to sacrifice their longer showers have alternative options available. Water-saving shower heads can be obtained free of charge through the Save Water Save Money website, where households can enter their postcode to discover what their local water company offers.
British Gas notes that small daily habits throughout the home contribute to unnecessary expenditure
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Another cost-free technique involves switching off the water while applying shampoo, soap or shower gel, then turning it back on to rinse. This approach reduces both energy consumption and water usage simultaneously, as less water requires heating.
British Gas notes that small daily habits throughout the home contribute to unnecessary expenditure.
"Everything uses electricity, and we often leave our telly on standby or overfill the kettle for our morning cuppa," the supplier observes, emphasising that minor behavioural changes can accumulate into meaningful savings.