Rising living costs can make everyday expenses feel more difficult to manage, especially during the colder months. There are lots of simple, low‑cost ways to save energy at home, and even small changes can make a meaningful difference to help lower your bills and reduce the impact on the environment.

This Big Energy Savers Week, we’re sharing easy, practical tips to help you reduce energy use, cut costs, and feel more in control of your home’s energy efficiency.

 

Our top 10 energy saving tips

• Keep furniture and curtains away from heaters to let heat circulate
• Turn your thermostat down by one degree to save money
• Choose showers over baths to use less water
• Use a plug or bowl when washing up to avoid running the hot tap
• Put lids on pans to keep heat in and reduce condensation
• Use the grill for small items instead of the oven
• Defrost your fridge and freezer regularly for better efficiency
• Use eco settings on washing machines and dishwashers
• Dry clothes outside, when possible, as tumble dryers use lots of energy
• Switch to LED bulbs for long‑lasting, efficient lighting

 

We asked Mike, Head of Property and Construction at Orwell, for his top tips on reducing your home’s energy consumption. He explained: “I recommend using appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers during off‑peak times, and only when they’re full. I’d also suggest lowering your boiler’s flow temperature to 60°C. Finally, consider using a condensing boiler, as these operate more efficiently at lower flow temperatures, helping you save energy without compromising on comfort.”

 

Financial support

We’ve highlighted several schemes that may help with your energy bills, depending on whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

Local Welfare Assistance Scheme: The Local Welfare Assistance Scheme help those experiencing financial hardship with essential costs such as household energy or water bills.

Website: Suffolk Local Welfare Assistance Scheme - Suffolk County Council

Warm House Discount Scheme: The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill.

Website: Warm Home Discount Scheme: Overview - GOV.UK

Winter Fuel Payment: If you were born before 22 September 1959 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. 

Website: Winter Fuel Payment: Overview - GOV.UK

 

More ways to save energy

If you’re looking for further hints and tips on how to improve your energy consumption and manage your bills, take a look at some of the links below:

Warm Homes Network: The Warm Homes Network helps people claim the support they’re entitled to, make their homes more energy efficient, and access advice on benefits, household costs and debt.

Website: Warm Homes Network - Energy, bills, and benefits advice | Turn2us

Warm Homes Suffolk: Warm Homes Suffolk provide energy efficiency grant funding to eligible households to make them warmer and cheaper to run.

Website: Warm Homes Suffolk

Ofgem: Ofgem work to protect energy consumers, especially vulnerable people, by ensuring they are treated fairly and benefit from a greener environment.

Website: Welcome to Ofgem | Ofgem

Warm and Well: Warm and Well give energy efficiency advice and support to householders and administer grants on behalf of local authorities.

Website: Warm and Well | a fitter home for a healthy future

 

To find out more about support and advice for Orwell customer, please visit: Support and Advice Toolkit | Orwell Housing