Heating remains the primary contributor to household energy costs
Heating remains the primary contributor to household energy costs(Image: coldsnowstorm via Getty Images)
As households continue to grapple with the financial impact of winter energy costs, new research indicates that the most significant savings can be achieved by preventing heat loss and altering the timing of household tasks.
A study conducted by Norton Insurance Brokers, which analysed hundreds of real-world discussions on Reddit, found that families who reported reductions in their bills of up to 25% focused on a few key changes rather than simply “using less”.
Rather than enduring colder homes or obsessively turning off lights, those achieving the greatest savings prioritised draught-proofing, improved insulation, shifting electricity usage to cheaper off-peak hours, and accurately tracking their energy consumption.
Stop the heat escaping
Heating remains the primary contributor to household energy costs. However, drastically lowering the thermostat was not a common factor among those reporting the most substantial savings.
Instead, these households focused on retaining warmth within their homes. Sealing gaps around doors, windows, keyholes and floorboards – especially in older properties – was frequently cited as a game-changer. Thick curtains, thermal blinds and straightforward secondary glazing also proved effective in trapping heat indoors.
In several instances, households reported reductions in heating costs of up to 25% after enhancing insulation and addressing draughts.
Brief but effective ventilation was also emphasised as crucial. One participant recommended: “Do open windows and doors for 15 minutes per room every day. This helps with damp and circulating the air. Even if it’s raining or snowing, just do it, but in series rather than all at once.”
Opening windows for 10 to 15 minutes in each room can tackle damp and humidity, allowing homes to feel warmer at lower temperatures and lessening the need to increase heating levels.
Shift usage to save cash
The timing of energy consumption proved equally as vital as reducing overall use. Households on time-of-use tariffs who shifted high-demand activities – such as running washing machines, dishwashers and heating hot water – to off-peak periods reported monthly bills approximately 25 per cent lower.
In electricity-only properties, hot water systems can represent more than half of total electricity consumption, making overnight heating a particularly effective adjustment. Smart meters and half-hourly usage data were regularly praised for helping households identify expensive peak periods and modify routines accordingly.
Measure first, then cut
Another prominent finding was that many families had misjudged what was driving their bills until they began monitoring usage.
Energy monitoring plugs revealed that constantly-on devices – particularly desktop computers and multiple screens left running continuously – were amongst the biggest electricity consumers in some households. By contrast, older appliances such as freezers often used far less than anticipated.
One user suggested: “Buy an energy monitoring plug. Put it on each appliance and allow it to gather data for a week. Switch the plug to another device and repeat. You’ll very soon realise what is consuming most of your energy and you can make cuts as necessary.”
What makes less difference
Certain common practices were found to have only a slight effect in isolation. Constantly turning off LED lights had little noticeable impact on bills. Powering down appliances at the wall saved minor amounts, but households reported limited overall effect unless paired with larger measures such as insulation improvements or shifting loads to off-peak times.
Long-term upgrades yield lasting benefits
For those households able to make the investment, structural enhancements resulted in more enduring savings. Loft insulation, draught-proofing, cleaning and balancing heating systems, installing intelligent thermostats and upgrading glazing all contributed to sustained reductions.
One homeowner who replaced double glazing, sealed draughts and ensured proper loft insulation reported: “Since our new system upgrades, our energy bill (electric and gas) has gone down by £65 a month.”
Mark Wilkinson, managing director at Norton Insurance Brokers, said: “The findings suggest that cutting energy bills does not require extreme measures. The households that achieved the biggest reductions focused on a small number of high-impact actions rather than trying to change everything at once. Preventing heat loss, shifting energy use to cheaper times, and identifying hidden high-usage devices consistently delivers the largest savings. These changes can help households lower bills while maintaining normal routines and comfort at home.”