How to Reduce Energy Bills by Improving Your Central Heating Efficiency
With the UK energy price cap set to rise again on 1 January 2026, reaching £1,758 per year for a typical household, many homeowners are still likely to be feeling the strain, even though prices have dropped slightly from recent highs. For households on standard or default variable tariffs, the winter months can bring particularly sharp increases in energy usage and bills thanks to the cold weather.
Thankfully there are a number of ways that can help reduce the impact of rising energy bills, both in the short and long term. Our team at Plumbworld has put together a range of practical, proven ways to keep your energy costs under control. From simple, cost-effective measures to longer-term upgrades, these strategies focus on improving the efficiency of your home’s central heating system, helping to offset imminent or future energy price cap rises, all while keeping your home warm and comfortable.
Take a look at the eight ways you can make your central heating more efficient and help to save money on your energy bills below:
Service your boiler annually
Getting your boiler serviced annually is the one of the most effective ways you can keep your heating bills under control, especially during times when energy costs are high and consumers are heating their homes regularly. Over time, it’s inevitable that boilers become less efficient due to component wear, incorrect gas-to-air ratios and a build up of debris collecting inside the system. These issues can make the boiler work a lot harder to achieve the same temperatures, meaning that more gas will be used than usual.
An annual boiler service will ensure it is burning fuel efficiently and identifies faults before they become major issues. During a service, a qualified engineer will provide a thorough inspection and test components, as well as give it a good clean to remove any debris both inside and outside of the boiler. This will help to extend the lifespan of your boiler too, reducing the likelihood of expensive emergency callouts in the future.
Servicing your boiler costs on average around £80 to £120. An unserviced boiler can be up to 20% less efficient or more, meaning more energy will be used to heat your home.
Inspect and bleed your radiators
If your radiator feels cold at the top but warm towards the bottom, it likely needs bleeding. Thankfully, it’s an easy task which doesn’t usually require a professional to undertake. To do this safely yourself, turn your heating off and allow the system to cool, then use a radiator key to slowly open the bleed valve at the top of the radiator, making sure to hold a cloth underneath. You’ll hear a hissing sound as trapped air escapes; once water starts to flow steadily, close the valve firmly but gently. After bleeding, check your boiler pressure and top it up if needed, as releasing air from your radiators can sometimes cause the pressure to drop.
Trapped air in a radiator is a common issue in UK homes and can reduce the effectiveness of our central heating systems. Air pockets prevent the hot water circulating fully through the radiator, creating cold spots that prevent heat circulating around the room efficiently. This means your boiler will have to work harder to heat the rooms of your home, leading to higher energy bills for homeowners. To find out more read our article on how to bleed a radiator step by step here.
Install a smart meter for greater visibility on energy usage
Installing a smart meter can provide UK households with far better visibility and control over their energy use, helping them get to grips with the cost of their energy bills. Smart meters automatically send accurate meter readings to your supplier and give homeowners real-time information on energy consumption. This provides them with a better understanding of how much they’re spending on energy and where cutbacks might be possible to help lower bills, such as shifting energy-intensive tasks to cheaper times of the day.
Recent data suggests that UK households have collectively saved £500 million on their energy bills, with typical annual savings of around £192 per household, since installing a smart meter in the home. This shows how pairing smart technology with the heating systems in our home can help to manage energy consumption whilst lowering energy costs, making it a good long term investment.
To find out about smart meters and how they work, read our handy blog post here.
Upgrade to a more efficient boiler
Upgrading an old boiler to a modern, more energy-efficient model can be a smart investment for UK homeowners because heating and hot water typically make up about half of household energy costs. Therefore improving the efficiency of your home's boiler could have a big impact on the cost of energy bills for years to come.
Our boilers are rated for their efficiency, with A+++ being the most efficient and G being the least. By replacing a G-rated boiler with a new A-rated condensing boiler could save households up to £440 a year on fuel bills year on fuel bills by converting more of the fuel you buy into usable heat rather than wasting it as flue gases. Modern boilers are also able to achieve over 90 % efficiency compared with 60–70 % for older units, meaning significantly less gas is needed to heat the same space.
The cost of a new boiler can differ depending on the type of property you live in. The cost of a new boiler in a small home can range from £600 - £1500, rising up to £3500 for those who own a large property. Whilst it can cost a lot to replace a boiler, they can last up to 15 years or more when maintained regularly. Factoring in the annual savings that can be experienced with a new efficient model, installing a new boiler could be an ideal long term investment.
Insulate hot water pipes and plumbing systems
Insulating hot water pipes is a simple but often overlooked way for UK households to cut their energy bills and improve the efficiency of their central heating systems. Uninsulated pipes lose heat quickly as hot water travels from the boiler to taps, meaning the boiler has to work harder and run for longer to maintain the temperature.
Just by fitting low cost foam pipe insulation, particularly in unheated areas such as lofts, garages and airing cupboards, homeowners can help to reduce heat loss, ensuring that water is kept hotter for longer with less energy used to reheat it. This can also mean faster hot water at the tap, less wasted water when waiting for it to warm up, and reduced strain on the heating system. With insulation being inexpensive, easy to install and effective year-round, it’s a small upgrade that can deliver ongoing savings while helping households lower their overall energy use.
Lower your thermostat by 1 °C for quick savings
A very quick and easy way to start seeing savings on your energy bills is to lower your thermostat temperature by 1°C. By doing this, households can save as much as £80 a year on their energy bills. Whilst it doesn’t seem like much, over time these small additions, along with other saving methods, can add up and make household energy bills a lot more manageable. For UK homeowners, keeping your thermostat at the recommended 19–21°C during the day, and lowering it further when you’re out or asleep, can make a real difference to your bills without compromising comfort. It’s a simple, low-effort step that immediately starts saving money while also supporting a greener home.
Fix all water leaks and and drips
Fixing leaks is essential for improving plumbing efficiency in the home because even those small, unnoticed drips can waste significant amounts of water and energy over time, which can drive up household bills.
Many UK homes rely on metered water supplies and heated water from boilers, therefore a leaking bathroom or kitchen tap, pipe or toilet can mean paying to heat water that never gets used, putting unnecessary strain on both your plumbing system and your boiler. Left unresolved, leaks can also lead to reduced water pressure, corrosion, damp and long-term damage to pipes, walls and floors, all of which are far more expensive to repair. By addressing leaks as quickly as possible, homeowners can reduce water waste, lower energy costs, protect their property and ensure their plumbing system operates as efficiently and reliably as possible.
How to find and fix common water leaks in the home can actually be straight forward and sometime can be fixed without a professional. For more information, read our advice guide on fixing leaks and drips from taps.
Invest in proper insulation and draught-proofing
Improving the insulation around your home can help to keep the rooms feeling warm without any heat from escaping. Poorly insulated lofts, walls, floors and gaps around doors, windows and chimneys can account for a significant amount of heat loss, especially during colder months. By insulating these areas and sealing up draughts that have formed, your home stays warmer for longer, allowing you to use your boiler and radiators less frequently or at lower settings.
This improved efficiency can reduce the amount of energy consumed, making our homes feel more comfortable during the winter months, cutting our monthly bills and taking the sting out of any potential energy price cap increases in the future.
There are several costs effective home insulation methods that homeowners can choose from. Loft insulation is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to reduce heat loss, while cavity wall insulation can significantly improve comfort in homes with suitable wall structures. Draught-proofing around doors and windows is another low-cost measure that prevents heat escaping, and underfloor insulation can be a smart choice for older properties. Reflective foil or pipe lagging offers inexpensive ways to retain heat, helping to lower energy bills throughout the year.
About the Energy Price Cap
Ofgem’s energy price cap sets a maximum per-unit rate and daily standing charges that suppliers can charge for gas and electricity on a standard or a default variable tariff. The energy price cap was introduced in January 2019 and changes every three months, with the amount set reflecting wholesale prices of gas and electricity as well as network and operating costs.
The next change to the energy price cap will take place on the 1st January 2026, set at £1,758 per year . This is up 0.2% compared to the last price cap set in October at £1,755. Whilst this isn’t a significant increase, the January 2026 price cap is still 55% higher than when it was first introduced in January 2019.
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