British Gas ‘4-minute rule’ could save ‘up to £70 a year’ on energy bills

The energy supplier claims that spending less time in one place may help you save on your bills

Countless Brits have faced higher energy bills this winter after Ofgem raised the energy price cap by another 0.2%, following a previous 2% rise between October and December. So, if you’re looking for ways to slash your energy bills, a piece of advice from British Gas may just help.

While it may seem obvious, the supplier’s guidance centres on precisely how much time you’re spending under the shower. Research indicates that many of us linger for up to 10 minutes while washing, but cutting this to four minutes could dramatically slash energy usage.

Online advice from British Gas states: “Cut your shower time to just four minutes and you could save up to £70 a year.” Despite this, British Gas isn’t the only firm suggesting that less shower time may prove useful.

Britain’s Energy Saving Trust similarly highlights that trimming your shower duration won’t just protect your wallet but could preserve roughly 17,000 litres of water annually.

The Trust’s calculations vary marginally from those of British Gas, estimating that most households could save £45 per year by capping showers at four minutes. For homes in Northern Ireland, this potential saving could also reach £45, according to the Mirror.

The Energy Saving Trust explains: “Shortening the time that you spend in the shower will reduce the volume of water that goes down the drain, as well as saving you money on the energy used to heat the water.”

But that’s just the start. Both British Gas and the Energy Saving Trust have packed their websites with numerous money-saving energy tips.

One crucial recommendation focuses on draught-proofing – essentially sealing up gaps around doors, windows and chimneys to stop precious heat escaping.

Ignoring these problem areas could explain why you’re forever turning up the thermostat. British Gas advises: “To reduce heat loss, draught-proof your home, and during colder winter months close your blinds and curtains to keep the heat in the inside.”

Thermal cameras prove particularly handy for spotting heat loss around the home, as they capture surface temperatures. Households can identify the hottest spots in red and the chilliest in blue.

Tackling typical heat loss culprits, such as windows, doors, and skirting boards, can help maintain warmth in your home for extended periods, reducing the need to crank up the heating. Those looking to use a thermal camera will discover that many local councils provide them free of charge.

Many British Gas customers can book checks that include thermal imaging for £99, while Octopus Energy customers can similarly access cameras in a borrowing scheme for free, although the company’s initiative is currently paused.

Online advice from Octopus Energy states: “We genuinely want to help our customers be more energy efficient. It’s simply the right thing to do, not only because it keeps your bills low, but because it’s better for the environment as well.

“We’ve sent our cameras out to nearly 5,000 customers over the last few years, and we’re absolutely honoured that so many customers have told us that the camera loan has helped them practically identify how to save heat in their home.

“Right now, saving gas is more important than ever, with millions of UK households left struggling to pay record-high energy bills. For Winter 2025, we’ve prioritised camera loans for those who need it most.”

Households with flexible budgets can choose a professional thermal survey, costing approximately £300 for smaller homes and £750 for larger ones. Which? suggests using its Home Energy Planning Service to find the most suitable options for each household’s needs.

Further energy-saving tips can be found via the websites of the Energy Saving Trust, British Gas and Octopus Energy.

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