Most energy-saving advice focuses on big, expensive upgrades – new boilers, full insulation installs, heat pumps. But there are smaller, practical steps that cost very little and can make a meaningful difference to what you pay next winter. Some can be done in an afternoon. Others just need a phone call.
1. Find and block the draughts you have been ignoring
Draughts are one of the biggest sources of heat loss in UK homes, and they are almost always underestimated. Gaps around doors, windows, letterboxes, and especially suspended timber floors can let in as much cold air as leaving a window slightly open all winter.
The fix is cheap. Draught excluder tape for windows and door frames costs a few pounds and takes minutes to apply. A brush strip on the bottom of external doors makes a noticeable difference immediately. Letterbox covers and keyhole covers are often overlooked but easy to fit.
If you have a suspended timber floor – common in pre-1930s homes – gaps between floorboards can account for significant heat loss. Filling them with a flexible sealant is a straightforward DIY job that many homeowners never think to do.
Draught proofing is consistently rated one of the best value energy efficiency measures available. The materials cost very little and the impact on comfort is often immediate.
2. Turn your thermostat down by one degree
This is the simplest thing on this list, and it works. Reducing your thermostat by just one degree can cut your heating bill by around 10 percent, according to figures from the Energy Saving Trust.
Most households heat to a higher temperature than they need to, particularly if the setting has never been reviewed or was set by a previous occupant. A comfortable indoor temperature for most people is between 18 and 21 degrees. If your thermostat is set to 22 or above, there is a very good chance you are heating more than necessary.
If you do not have a programmable or smart thermostat, it is also worth looking at one. Being able to set heating schedules – so you are not warming an empty house – is one of the most effective ways to reduce consumption without any change to comfort.
3. Find out if your home is suitable for cavity wall insulation
Cavity wall insulation is one of the most effective ways to reduce heat loss in a UK home – but it is not suitable for every property, and the wrong installation in the wrong home can cause more problems than it solves. The key is getting a proper assessment done by someone who knows what to look for.
May is actually an ideal time to book this in. Surveyors are less stretched than they are heading into autumn, and if work is recommended, you have plenty of time to get it completed before the heating season starts.
Cavitech specialise in cavity wall surveys and can assess whether your property is a good candidate – taking into account wall type, exposure, and the condition of any existing insulation. It is worth a phone call now rather than rushing it in October.
Getting a suitability check costs nothing, and it could be the most valuable call you make before next winter.
4. Check your boiler pressure and service date
A boiler running outside its optimal pressure range works less efficiently. Most boilers have a pressure gauge on the front – it should typically sit between 1 and 1.5 bar when the heating is off. If it is below 1, the boiler is likely losing efficiency and may cut out during cold spells.
Topping up boiler pressure is a straightforward process described in any boiler manual, though if you are unsure, a Gas Safe engineer can do it quickly as part of a service.
More importantly, if your boiler has not been serviced in the last 12 months, booking one before winter is genuinely worth it. A well-maintained boiler runs more efficiently, is less likely to break down on the coldest day of the year, and will have a longer overall lifespan.
5. Insulate your hot water cylinder and pipes
If you have a hot water cylinder – common in older homes – check whether it has an insulating jacket. An uninsulated or poorly insulated cylinder loses heat constantly, meaning your boiler has to reheat the water more frequently.
A cylinder jacket costs around £20 and can cut heat loss from the cylinder by over 75 percent. It takes less than an hour to fit and requires no specialist skills.
Exposed hot water pipes, particularly in unheated spaces like lofts and under floors, are worth insulating too. Pipe lagging is inexpensive and widely available, and it reduces the energy needed to keep water at temperature as it travels around the system.
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If you only have time for one thing, start with draughts. The effort-to-impact ratio is better than almost anything else on this list. The thermostat adjustment costs nothing and can be done today.
The boiler service and cylinder insulation require a small outlay, but both tend to pay for themselves within a single heating season. The Cavitech call is free and could unlock one of the most impactful upgrades available – but only if the timing is right for your property, which is exactly what the survey will confirm.
None of these are permanent fixes, and none replace the bigger upgrades that can make a longer-term difference to a home’s efficiency. But as a starting point before winter, they are practical, low-cost, and genuinely effective.
Frequently asked questions
How much can draught proofing actually save?
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that draught proofing throughout a home can save between £45 and £75 per year depending on property size and existing gaps. In older homes with suspended floors and original windows, the savings can be higher.
Is it worth getting a smart thermostat?
For most households, yes. Smart thermostats typically cost between £100 and £250 installed, and can save around £75 to £150 per year by reducing heating when rooms are unoccupied. They usually pay for themselves within two to three years.
How do I know if my boiler pressure is too low?
Look at the pressure gauge on the front of your boiler. If the needle is below 1 bar when the heating is off, the pressure is low. Your boiler manual will explain how to repressurise it, or a Gas Safe engineer can do it as part of a service visit.
Can renters do any of these?
Most of them, yes. Draught excluder tape and thermostat adjustments are things any occupant can do. Boiler servicing and cylinder insulation would typically need to be arranged through or approved by the landlord, but it is worth raising – landlords have an obligation to maintain heating systems in working order. Cavity wall surveys are free to arrange and worth flagging to a landlord as a potential improvement
Cutting your energy bill does not always require a significant investment. The steps above are unglamorous, but they work – and most of them can be completed before this week is out.
The homes that are warmest and cheapest to run in winter are not always the ones with the newest kit. They are the ones where the basics have been done properly: no unnecessary heat loss, a well-maintained heating system, and a thermostat set to what is actually needed.
Start there, and you will notice the difference when the cold weather arrives.