Preparation & Home Energy Savings for Winter
Now the clocks have gone back, the nights draw in and the chill sets in across the UK, now’s the time to act. Here at Energy Angels, we’ve tuned into the expert advice and winter home energy savings to help you keep your home warm, safe and energy-efficient this winter.
1. Get on top of your energy usage
Check your meter, your billing, and your debt (if you’ve got any). If you’re on a direct debit and have kept payments constant over summer, you may have already built a buffer. See our guide on understanding your energy bill.
For pay-as-you-go meters: familiarise yourself with your meter’s functions, so you can track usage, costs and credit. Key to avoiding unwelcome surprises when colder days hit.
Tip: Snap a quick photo of your meter weekly, this is a simple habit that keeps you in control.
2. Stop heat escaping from your home
- Fit draught-excluders under doors (even a rolled-up blanket will work) and seal gaps around windows/doors using self-adhesive insulation tape.
- If you don’t have double glazing, consider “secondary glazing” (plastic sheeting over windows) to boost insulation, but be sure you still have ventilation.
- Thick curtains and putting rugs on bare floors both help trap heat. If you’re on the ground floor or have thin flooring, the effect is stronger.
- Radiator reflector panels behind radiators (especially electric ones) help direct heat into the room rather than into the wall.
3. Address condensation, ventilation & damp
Drying washing indoors? Use a dehumidifier if possible, or at least open a window 10 minutes daily, even when it’s cold. Ventilation is important to prevent damp and mould, which are both bad for your home and your health.
New rules known as Awaab’s Law, effective from 27 October 2025, mean social landlords in England must now inspect damp and mould within 10 working days and make homes safe within five days after inspection. The law aims to protect renters from hazards in their homes and ensure problems like damp and mould are taken seriously.
Insulating your hot water tank or adding a jacket if needed keeps your water hotter for longer, reducing waste
4. Smart ways to keep you warm
- Where safe and possible, keep active: a walk or going to a warm space like a library or community centre helps keep your body warm.
- Invest in cosy basics you might already have or pick up in sales: warm socks, slippers, extra blankets, a fleece.
- Stock up on hearty, warming food such as soups or use a thermos with hot drinks to stay warm, even when you can’t turn up the heating as much as you’d like.
5. Winter home energy savings that add up
- Turn off lights when you leave a room.
- Unplug or switch off devices at the wall – even standby uses energy.
- Shorten shower time; lower-temperature settings – 30° for washing clothes helps too.
- Use an air fryer, microwave or slow cooker instead of the oven where you can, as these use less energy.
- Boil only the water you need.
- Make sure your heating timer reflects when you’re home and active as every reduction adds up.
- See our guide on staying warm in Winter.
Winter doesn’t have to mean a steep jump in your energy bills or living in a drafty home. With a few practical tweaks; including checking your meter, stopping heat loss, ventilating to prevent damp and adopting smarter energy habits, you can keep your home cosy and keep your bills under control.
If you’re worried about your energy bills this winter, help is available.
There are charities, government schemes, and energy-company grants that can provide financial support, free advice, and in some cases, home improvements to make your property more efficient.
Below are some trusted links to organisations offering free and practical help.