Energy-Wasting Habits That Could Be Driving Up Your Bills

Energy Efficiency Tips
May 14th, 2025
Energy-Wasting Habits That Could Be Driving Up Your Bills

Content in this article

What are energy-wasting habits?

Energy-wasting habits are daily actions that use up energy in our homes. Simple things like leaving appliances in standby mode, relying too much on your tumble dryer, or heating empty rooms can greatly increase your annual energy bills. These habits may seem harmless, but they can cause higher costs and more carbon emissions over time.

According to the Energy Savings Trust, the average UK household electricity consumption is around 2,900 kWh each year. You can save hundreds of pounds on your bill each year by cutting down on wasteful habits. A great way to keep track is to check and compare energy prices regularly. This will help you choose a better tariff that fits your needs.

How much can energy-wasting habits really cost you?

Let’s look at a table that lists the yearly costs of common bad habits in an average home:

Habit Estimated Annual Cost Energy Wasted
Leaving devices on standby £55 75–100 kWh
Overusing tumble dryer £198 200–250 kWh
Heating unused rooms £60 100 kWh
Long shower time (10+ mins daily) £65–£95 3,285+ litres of water & energy
Not using radiator reflector panels £20–£50 50–70 kWh
Boiling more kettle water than needed £18 30 kWh

These small changes can help you save over £450 per year by cutting wasteful costs. If you want to lower these expenses, it’s smart to compare energy prices before your current deal finishes.

Which appliances should you turn off at night?

Leaving some appliances on all night increases your energy usage without providing any benefit. You should think about turning off these items at night:

  • TVs, game consoles, and set-top boxes that are in standby mode
  • Laptops and chargers plugged in when not needed
  • Microwaves that keep showing display clocks
  • Kitchen appliances not in use, like coffee machines

A smart plug can help manage this more easily.

Which appliances should you turn off at night

What are the biggest energy-wasting myths?

Myth 1: It’s better to leave heating on low all day

Using a smart thermostat is a smart choice for heating your home. You should only heat your home when you really need to. If you leave the central heating on all day, you will waste energy and pay more in heating bills.

Myth 2: LED lights don’t save much money

Fact: Swapping one old 60W bulb for an LED can save around £70 over the life of the bulb. This is a significant saving in the long term.

Myth 3: It’s fine to use the tumble dryer for small loads

Fact: Running half loads uses more electricity than you need. A washing line or airing rack can help you save as much as £200 every year.

How does insulation help lower energy bills?

Bad insulation causes more heat loss. This means your boiler has to work harder to heat your home. Here are some important ways to improve insulation:

Area Potential Saving Notes
Loft insulation £285/year 270mm insulation depth recommended
Cavity wall insulation £180/year For homes built after 1920
Hot water tank insulation £45/year Use a British Standard jacket at least 80mm thick
Pipe insulation £10–£15/year Prevents heat loss from hot water pipes

Should I lower my boiler flow temperature?

Yes. Lowering your boiler flow temperature to about 60°C, instead of 70°C, can help your combi boiler work better. It can achieve this without affecting your comfort.

Top tip: A small change can reduce your heating bills by 6–8%, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Compare Energy Prices

Thinking about changing your energy provider?

Compare Now

What rooms waste the most energy?

Some rooms in your home might use more energy than you realise. Bathrooms, kitchens, and spare bedrooms can waste heat, electricity, and water because of everyday habits. Reducing energy use in these areas can save you money on bills and lower your carbon footprint.

Empty or unused rooms

Heating unused rooms wastes energy. You should lower the radiators or turn them off in rooms that you don’t use often.

Kitchen

  • Overfilling the kettle
  • Not defrosting the freezer regularly
  • Placing hot food in the fridge immediately

Bathroom

  • Taking long showers
  • Shower heads that waste electricity
  • Letting hot water run for no reason

What can I do to improve energy efficiency fast?

Here are some simple tips for home energy efficiency 2025 that you can start using today:

Tip Estimated Saving Description
Fit radiator reflector panels £20–£50/year Reflect heat back into rooms
Use a smart meter N/A Track energy use and adjust habits
Install smart thermostats Up to £130/year Better heating control
Wash clothes at 30°C £15/year Lower washing machine consumption
Air dry clothes Up to £198/year Avoids tumble dryer usage

What tariffs and meters can help control costs?

Best fixed energy tariffs UK

  • Fixed tariffs protect you from energy price hikes.
  • They are useful for long-term budgeting, especially in Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI) where prices fluctuate.

Use a water meter

This helps you see how much water you use. It can help you use less when you are using your hot water cylinder or hot water tank.

Should you switch energy providers in 2025?

Yes. As energy markets become more stable, switching can bring:

  • Cheaper prices on tariffs
  • Special rewards for new users
  • Tips and info about new energy-saving heating methods and technologies

Always compare options based on:

  • The cost of each unit
  • A set charge
  • Fees for leaving
  • Length of contract and type of payment

Don’t forget to check energy prices regularly. This will help you make sure that you are still getting the best deal for your home.

Should you switch energy providers in 2025

Related Articles

Refunds on Energy: Getting Money Back from Your Bills

Energy Bill Assistance: Household Support Fund 2025

A Comprehensive Guide to So Energy Smart Meters

Understanding Your Gas Bill: Breaking Down the Charges

Correct as of 8th May 2025

FAQs about energy-wasting habits

What is the biggest energy-wasting habit at home?

Using the tumble dryer often for small laundry loads can be quite costly. It may cost you nearly £200 each year.

Do smart thermostats really save money?

They can help you lower your heating use by as much as 10%. This happens through improved control and scheduling.

How much can I save by turning off standby appliances?

Turning off devices properly can save you around £55 each year in an average home.

What temperature should my boiler be set to?

Set the boiler flow temperature to 60°C. This can help it work better and save energy.

Should I heat unused rooms in winter?

Heating empty rooms wastes energy. You should lower the radiator valve or turn it off completely.

Compare Energy Prices

Thinking about changing your energy provider?

Compare Now
4000+ reviews