Common Energy Bill Myths UK Households Still Believe

Every year, millions of UK households pay more on their energy bills than necessary because of common energy myths. Misinformation about heating systems, appliances, and everyday energy use continues to increase energy consumption and carbon emissions across the country.

In 2025, the average total monthly energy bill for a medium UK home stands near £155, but habits around heating, cooking, and standby use often add another £100–£250 each year unnecessarily. Understanding how much energy your home really uses — and separating fact from fiction — is the most effective way to control costs and improve energy efficiency.

Are You Paying More Because of Common Energy Myths?

Even small misunderstandings can push up heating or electricity bills by 10–15 %. The Energy Saving Trust reports that wasted energy through standby mode, overheated rooms, and poor insulation costs UK households nearly £2 billion a year.

A smart meter or the energy bill calculator gives a clear picture of your ongoing energy consumption so you can see which habits cost the most.

Try the energy bill calculator to check your real usage

What Are the Most Common Energy Bill Myths in 2025?

Myth 1: Keeping Heating on Low All Day Is Cheaper

It’s still common to hear that running the central heating system continuously on low is a good idea. In reality, boilers and radiators leak heat constantly. The longer they run, the greater the heat loss through walls, floors, and windows.

• Heating for long periods of time can add £100–£150 per year to heating bills.
• The most effective way to save is to heat rooms only when occupied and maintain a set temperature using a programmable thermostat.
• Installing thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) allows zoning by room — an easy way to reduce costs by up to 20 % in larger homes.

The advantage of the zoned approach is that it prevents overheating unused spaces and improves comfort across the entire house.

Myth 2: Standby Mode Uses No Power

Standby or “sleep” mode still consumes electricity. Around 10 % of the average amount of energy used by UK homes powers devices left on unnecessarily.

• Standby devices cost households £50–£80/year.
• Using smart plugs or switching off at the wall eliminates waste.
• Combining this with radiator reflector panels and good insulation can push savings even further.

This is one of the easiest habits to change — and it has minimal impact on daily convenience.

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Myth 3: Higher Thermostat Settings Heat Homes Faster

Cranking up your thermostat beyond the normal set temperature doesn’t speed up heating. Gas boilers and electric heaters supply the same heat output regardless of target setting.

Instead, you only risk overheating rooms and increasing your energy costs unnecessarily. The advantage of the smart central heating system is maintaining maximum efficiency automatically without user guesswork.

Smart thermostats from brands like Hive and Tado learn usage patterns and keep energy consumption lower by heating only when needed.

Myth 4: Off-Peak or Overnight Energy Is Always Cheaper

While some assume that running washing machines or slow cookers overnight is cheaper, the energy supplier determines this through tariff structure.

• Only homes on multi-rate or Economy 7 tariffs benefit from lower night-time rates.
• For those on standard variable tariffs, using appliances overnight makes no difference.
• Using half load cycles or running dryers during early evening peaks can even cost more.

To confirm your rates and tariff, check your last bill or use the energy bill calculator for accurate usage analysis.

Myth 5: Solar Panels Don’t Cut Energy Bills Significantly

Modern solar panels generate clean power and directly reduce household demand from the grid.

The advantage of the solar gain is that daytime appliances — such as dishwashers or air fryers — use free electricity directly from panels. More than 1 million UK homes now have PV systems, reducing their bills by up to 19 % compared with those without.

Myth 6: Electric Heaters Are More Efficient Than Gas Boilers

Although electric heaters convert nearly all energy into heat, electricity costs are four times higher per kWh than gas. Therefore, electric heaters usually increase total heating bills.

• A traditional gas boiler costs around 6.3 p/kWh (under the current price cap).
• Electric heating averages 25–27 p/kWh.

Electric heaters are useful for small or temporary heating needs, but for long periods of time, a modern condensing gas boiler or heat pump is far cheaper to run.

Myth 7: Only Appliance Upgrades Can Save Money

Replacing old appliances helps, but behaviour and controls often matter more. Adjusting how you use appliances can cut ongoing energy consumption without spending anything.

• Washing clothes at 30 °C uses 40 % less energy than 40 °C cycles.
• Filling dishwashers and washing machines to a full load improves efficiency.
• Cooking smaller meals in air fryers, pressure cookers, or slow cookers instead of conventional ovens can save £100–£150/year on electricity bills.

How Much Energy Do Typical UK Homes Use in 2025?

Homes with good insulation, double glazing, and thermostatic radiator valves use less energy overall and keep heating bills lower.

How to Check and Control Your Energy Usage

1. Install a smart meter – shows real-time energy use and helps spot high-consumption appliances.
2. Set heating timers correctly – matching your routine saves 10–15 % on gas.
3. Inspect insulation and windows – unsealed frames or uninsulated walls cause major heat loss.
4. Maintain your heating system – annual servicing of boilers or heat pumps maintains efficiency.
5. Use TRVs and radiator reflector panels – improve heat distribution for minimal installation costs.

Use energy bill calculator to see where you can reduce your consumption

Lesser-Known but Effective Energy-Saving Actions

How Policy and Technology Are Changing Home Energy Use

New technologies like heat pumps and programmable thermostats help the UK work toward a more sustainable future. Government targets aim for 95 % renewable electricity by 2030, which could lower average energy bills by up to £300 per household.

Developers such as David Wilson Homes now install heat pumps and triple glazing as standard to achieve maximum efficiency in new builds. While installation costs are higher initially, the long-term energy savings offset them within 8–12 years.

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How to Reduce Energy Prices and Find a Better Deal

With energy prices still affected by global gas markets, UK households can save most by combining efficiency improvements with tariff reviews.

1. Upgrade insulation and windows – keep heat in and use less energy.
2. Switch to renewable options – install solar panels or heat pumps.
3. Track usage accurately – use the energy bill calculator to measure kWh of gas and electricity.
4. Compare regularly – use compare energy prices to find lower tariffs or fixed deals under the Ofgem price cap.
5. Adjust payment methods – paying by direct debit often saves £80–£100 per year.

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FAQs About Common Energy Myths in the UK