How to Reduce Your Energy Bills in Summer: Practical UK Tips
Published 25th of April 2012·Updated 2 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
Summer is one of the best times to reduce your energy bills because heating demand drops and longer daylight hours mean you need less artificial light. Making a few deliberate changes to how you use appliances, heating and hot water during the warmer months can cut your annual energy bill by £100 to £300.
Short Summary
Tumble dryers are one of the most expensive appliances to run. Drying clothes on a line or airer instead costs nothing and, according to the Energy Saving Trust, can save a typical household around £60 per year.
Entertainment devices, particularly games consoles and large televisions, account for a significant share of home electricity use. Switching them off at the wall rather than leaving them on standby can save around £50 per year.
Adjusting your heating timer to reflect warmer weather stops you paying to heat your home when you do not need it. Even turning your thermostat down by one degree saves around £145 per year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Comparing your energy tariff annually using a site such as Uswitch or MoneySuperMarket takes around 15 minutes and can save hundreds of pounds. The Ofgem price cap changes quarterly, so the best deals shift regularly.
Which appliances use the most electricity at home?
Identifying which devices cost you the most is the first step to reducing your bill. The Energy Saving Trust publishes running cost estimates for common appliances. The biggest culprits in most UK homes are:
| Appliance | Approximate annual running cost |
|---|---|
| Tumble dryer (used regularly) | £55 to £100 |
| Games console (e.g. PlayStation or Xbox) | £30 to £50 |
| Large television (55-inch or above) | £25 to £40 |
| Desktop computer | £25 to £40 |
| Electric shower | £100 to £200 |
| Dishwasher | £30 to £60 |
In summer, you can eliminate or reduce the use of several of these. Hang washing outside instead of tumble drying. Spend time outdoors rather than running a games console for hours. These changes are free and take effect immediately on your next bill.
How do you reduce heating costs in summer?
Many households forget to adjust their heating timer when the weather warms up. If your boiler is programmed to fire at 6am every morning regardless of season, you are paying for heat you do not need.
Override your programmer at the start of spring and set your heating to manual, so you only turn it on when you genuinely need warmth. This alone can save meaningful amounts across April, May and September. If you have a smart thermostat such as a Nest, Hive or Tado, you can set a seasonal schedule and adjust it remotely.
Check your hot water settings too. Your hot water cylinder, if you have one, should be set to 60 degrees Celsius to prevent legionella bacteria, but you do not need it to reheat throughout the day. A single heating period in the morning is usually sufficient for most households in summer.
Does switching from baths to showers save money?
Yes, in most cases. A bath typically uses 80 litres of hot water. A four-minute shower uses around 32 litres (assuming a standard 8-litre-per-minute flow rate). Over a year, switching one daily bath to a short shower can save a typical household around £50 on water heating costs, and more if you are on a water meter.
Power showers are the exception. They can use as much water as a bath if used for more than six or seven minutes, so keep showers brief regardless of shower type.
Is it worth switching energy supplier in summer?
Yes. Summer is a sensible time to review your tariff because many fixed-rate deals are available and wholesale energy prices tend to be lower than in winter. The Ofgem energy price cap applies to default variable tariffs, but fixed deals may be cheaper depending on current market conditions.
Use Uswitch, MoneySuperMarket or Ofgem's own comparison tool to check whether you are on a competitive tariff. You will need your current usage in kilowatt hours (found on a recent bill) to get an accurate comparison. Switching suppliers typically takes around three weeks and does not interrupt your supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to reduce my electricity bill this summer?
Turn off devices at the wall rather than leaving them on standby, dry clothes outside instead of using a tumble dryer, and adjust your heating timer so it does not run during warm days. Together these changes can save £100 or more per year with no significant effort.
Does a smart thermostat actually save money?
Yes, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Nest, Hive and Tado smart thermostats save typical households between £75 and £150 per year by learning your patterns and preventing unnecessary heating. They cost between £100 and £250 to buy and install, so they pay for themselves within one to two years.
How do I find out if I am on the cheapest energy tariff?
Visit Uswitch.com or MoneySuperMarket.com and enter your current usage from a recent bill. The comparison tool will show you all available deals and flag whether you can save money by switching. If you are on a standard variable tariff, there is a strong chance a fixed deal will be cheaper.
Is it cheaper to shower or take a bath?
A short shower (four minutes) uses less water and energy than a bath in most cases, saving around £50 per year if you make the switch daily. The exception is a power shower used for more than six minutes, which can use as much water as a bath.
Can I get help paying my energy bills if I am struggling?
Yes. The government's Warm Home Discount scheme provides a £150 rebate on electricity bills to eligible low-income households each year. Energy suppliers including British Gas, EDF, Octopus Energy and E.ON also have hardship funds. Contact your supplier directly or speak to Citizens Advice for guidance on what you may be entitled to.