Households could save up to £292 a year on their energy bills by making five simple changes around the home, according to energy provider E.ON Next. The advice comes as colder weather approaches and concerns about heating costs grow.
The changes do not require expensive renovations, with some taking as little as five minutes to complete. E.ON Next has partnered with former footballer and property presenter Dion Dublin to highlight the five steps, which range from checking fridges to insulating hot water pipes.
Biggest savings from pipe insulation
The largest potential saving comes from insulating hot water pipes and tanks, which could cut bills by an estimated £154 a year. Adding foam insulation to exposed pipes or fitting a jacket around a hot water tank helps prevent heat escaping after the water has been warmed.
Another recommended job is checking the fridge and freezer. E.ON Next says households could save around £70 a year by ensuring door seals work properly, cleaning dusty condenser coils, and keeping the freezer reasonably full.
Other cost-cutting tips
For radiators fitted to external walls, reflector panels could also help. These sit behind the radiator and reflect heat back into the room rather than letting it escape through the wall, resulting in estimated savings of £24 annually.
The fourth tip involves using plug timers to automatically switch appliances on and off, which could save around £8 a year by reducing unnecessary electricity use. Finally, swapping old light bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs could knock another £36 off annual bills.
Support for struggling customers
The advice follows research commissioned by E.ON Next, which found that 25% of Brits are put off making their homes more energy efficient because they believe it will cost too much. Meanwhile, 20% said they simply did not know where to start.
Dion Dublin said: "With energy costs top of mind for many households ahead of the colder months, many people assume making a home more energy efficient means expensive renovations, but often the biggest savings come from small, low-cost changes." He added: "The challenge isn't always cost, it's knowing where to start."
E.ON Next said customers struggling with their bills can also access support, including financial help through its Energy Fund and flexible payment plans. The company stressed that the £292 figure is an estimate, with actual savings depending on the property, appliances and energy tariff. The calculations also exclude the cost of purchasing or fitting any of the required products.
