⚡ Quick picks
✅ Do these first: they’re free
- Read your meter, or check your smart meter display, before bed and again in the morning to find your overnight baseload.
- Turn the boiler flow temperature down if it's a condensing combi (check your manual first).
- Only boil the water you need. Our kettle video shows why it matters to the grid.
- Wash at 30°C and run full loads.
Compare our picks
Swipe the table sideways →
| Pick | Best for | Key spec | Main downside | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tapo P110 smart plug with energy monitoring, 2-pack | Finding power-hungry appliances | 2-pack · energy monitoring | Needs Wi-Fi and an app | Check price on AmazonAd |
| Lepro LED bayonet (B22) bulbs, 806lm, 3-pack | Cheap bulb swaps | B22 · 806lm · 3-pack | Check your fitting: B22 bayonet, not E27 screw | Check price on AmazonAd |
| tado° Smart Thermostat Starter Kit V3+ | Smarter heating control | Smart thermostat | Check it's compatible with your boiler first | Check price on AmazonAd |
| Vellure door draught excluder strip | Draughty doors | Door strip | Never block trickle vents or air bricks | Check price on AmazonAd |
| CUQOO radiator reflector foil, 5m x 60cm | Radiators on outside walls | 5m roll | Most benefit on uninsulated outside walls; little on internal walls | Check price on AmazonAd |
We don't show prices because they change daily. Tap “Check price” for today's price on Amazon.
Watch nowWhy Britain's Kettles Can Shake the National Grid
The video that goes with this guide, from the Mains & Drains channel.
▶ Watch on YouTubeMeasure first
You can't save what you can't see. A monitoring smart plug shows the real cost of the fridge, the games console or the dehumidifier.
Tapo P110 smart plug with energy monitoring, 2-pack
Shows exactly what each plugged-in appliance uses, so you know what's worth switching off and what isn't.
- Real usage figures in the app
- Timers and schedules
- Needs Wi-Fi and an app
- Max load applies, so don't use with high-power heaters
Permanent swaps
LED bulbs and draught-proofing keep saving with no effort.
Lepro LED bayonet (B22) bulbs, 806lm, 3-pack
Replacing any remaining old halogen or incandescent bulbs is a quick, permanent saving.
- Cheap
- Standard bayonet (B22) fitting
- Check your fitting: B22 bayonet, not E27 screw
Vellure door draught excluder strip
The cheapest fix first. The Energy Saving Trust puts draught-proofing savings at around £55 a year (GB).
- Very cheap
- No tools needed
- Never block trickle vents or air bricks
CUQOO radiator reflector foil, 5m x 60cm
Reflects heat back into the room instead of into a cold external wall. It's a cheap, small, sensible fix.
- Very cheap
- Easy DIY
- Most benefit on uninsulated outside walls; little on internal walls
Heating control
Heating is the biggest part of most bills. Smarter control stops waste.
tado° Smart Thermostat Starter Kit V3+
Schedules and app control help you stop heating an empty house.
- Control from your phone
- Schedules and zoning add-ons
- Check it's compatible with your boiler first
- Some features need a paid subscription
📄 Print it, stick it on the fridge
Home Energy Saver guide (£6): written for UK homes, instant A4 download.
Questions people ask
Do plug-in 'power saver' boxes work?
No. Devices that claim to cut your bill just by plugging them in don't work on household supplies. Skip them.
Is standby really that expensive?
It adds up on older TVs, consoles and set-top boxes. Measure with a smart plug before you buy anything else.
Why you can trust this guide
We haven’t lab-tested these products, and we won’t pretend we have. Every pick is researched and recommended: we compare specs, UK safety standards, warranties, official guidance and patterns in owner reviews, and we write down the real downsides. No brand paid to be here. Read how we choose.
Official advice and sources: Energy Saving Trust: quick tips · Ofgem: energy price cap
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