Energy regulator Ofgem has issued new advice to help households cut their electricity bills
UK households could cut their electricity bills by making a few simple changes around the home, according to new advice from energy regulator Ofgem.
The watchdog has urged consumers to think twice before flicking on the lights unnecessarily, with one small upgrade alone capable of saving up to £45 a year. As part of its Energy Aware campaign, Ofgem is encouraging households to replace old-fashioned light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs, switch lights off when leaving a room and consider fitting motion sensors so lights are only on when they are needed.
The biggest saving comes from ditching older halogen or filament bulbs. According to the Energy Saving Trust, replacing all the remaining halogen spotlights in a typical home with LEDs can cut electricity bills by up to £45 a year. Ofgem also highlights that simply replacing a single old bulb with an LED can save up to £4 a year.
Even old-fashioned habits can make a difference. The trust estimates that simply turning lights off when rooms are empty can save the average household around £8 a year, making it one of the easiest ways to reduce electricity use without spending a penny.
While Ofgem also recommends installing motion sensors so lights switch off automatically, neither the regulator nor the Energy Saving Trust has published an official estimate of the annual cash saving because it depends on how often lights are left on unnecessarily.
The lighting advice forms part of Ofgem’s wider Energy Aware campaign, which aims to help households better understand their energy use and lower their bills.
The regulator says consumers who understand their energy tariff are more likely to find a better deal, while keeping contact details up to date with suppliers can help ensure customers receive important information, refunds and any support they may be entitled to.
Households struggling to pay should also contact their supplier early, as firms are required to offer tailored help and flexible repayment options. Lighting is only one of a series of everyday changes Ofgem says can reduce household energy costs.
Its guidance also recommends:
- Lowering the flow temperature on a combi boiler
- Washing clothes at 30C
- Using shorter washing cycles
- Closing curtains after dark to keep heat in during colder months
- Installing smart heating controls
- Getting a smart meter to monitor energy use more closely.
Separate Government-backed energy-saving advice says households with a combi boiler could save around £100 a year by reducing the boiler’s flow temperature to 60C, provided it is suitable for their home and heating system.
