New Study Reveals Top Strategies to Warm Homes and Slash Energy Bills
As winter energy costs continue to burden households, fresh research has pinpointed the most effective ways to achieve substantial savings, with some families reporting reductions of up to 25% on their bills. The study, conducted by Norton Insurance Brokers, analysed hundreds of real-world online discussions to uncover practical, high-impact changes that deliver results without compromising comfort.
Preventing Heat Loss: The Foundation of Savings
Heating remains the single largest contributor to household energy expenses. However, the research found that drastically lowering thermostats was not a common factor among those achieving the greatest savings. Instead, successful households focused on retaining warmth within their properties.
Draught-proofing and insulation emerged as transformative measures. Sealing gaps around doors, windows, keyholes, and floorboards—particularly in older homes—was frequently cited as a game-changer. Additionally, using thick curtains, thermal blinds, and simple secondary glazing helped keep heat indoors. In numerous cases, these improvements led to heating cost reductions of up to 25%.
Proper ventilation also played a crucial role. Participants recommended opening windows and doors for 10 to 15 minutes per room daily to decrease dampness and humidity. This practice makes homes feel cosier at lower temperatures, reducing the need to increase heating levels.
Timing Energy Use: A Key to Lower Bills
The timing of energy consumption proved just as vital as reducing overall usage. Families on time-of-use tariffs who shifted high-demand activities—such as running washing machines, dishwashers, and heating hot water—to off-peak hours reported monthly bills around 25% lower.
In all-electric homes, hot water systems can account for over half of total electricity use, making overnight heating an especially effective adjustment. Smart meters and half-hourly usage data were praised for helping households identify costly peak periods and adapt their routines accordingly.
Measure First, Then Reduce: Identifying Hidden Costs
A prominent theme from the study was that many households were mistaken about what was driving their bills until they began monitoring usage. Energy monitoring plugs revealed that always-on devices—like desktop computers and multiple screens left running continuously—were among the biggest electricity consumers in some homes.
Conversely, older appliances such as freezers often used far less energy than anticipated. One savvy user advised: "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: Common Misconceptions
Certain common practices were found to have only a slight effect in isolation. Constantly turning off LED lights had little discernible impact on bills. Powering down appliances at the socket saved minor amounts, but households reported minimal overall effect unless paired with larger initiatives like insulation improvements or shifting loads to off-peak times.
Long-Term Upgrades for Sustained Savings
Where households could afford to invest, structural enhancements resulted in more enduring savings. Loft insulation, sealing gaps, cleaning and balancing heating systems, installing smarter thermostats, and upgrading glazing were all associated with sustained reductions.
One homeowner who replaced double glazing, sealed draughts, and ensured proper loft insulation said: "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, commented: "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."
