Energy, water and broadband are bills you cannot really do without, so it is easy to assume there is nothing you can change. In fact, each one has a few levers you can pull, from the deal you are on to the way you use them at home. Some take five minutes and some take a weekend, but together they can make a real difference.
We have split the tips by bill, then added a section on extra help that a lot of people miss out on.
How to cut your energy bill
Check your tariff
Look at your latest bill or app to see what tariff you are on. If you have never switched, you are probably on your supplier's standard variable tariff. Ofgem's price cap limits the unit rate and daily standing charge on these tariffs, but it does not cap your total bill, so the more you use, the more you pay. When fixed deals come in below the cap, it can be worth comparing. When they do not, staying put may be the better option. Ofgem explains how the cap works.
Give regular meter readings
If you do not have a working smart meter, send a reading every month or so. Estimated bills can be too high, or too low, which leaves you with a nasty catch-up bill later. Snap a photo of the meter with the date on your phone in case of any dispute. If your supplier failed to bill you properly through no fault of yours, it generally cannot charge you for energy used more than 12 months earlier.
Small habits that add up
- Turn your thermostat down by one degree and see if you notice.
- Bleed radiators so they heat up fully, and keep furniture from blocking them.
- Fit draught excluders to doors and seal gaps around windows.
- Only boil the water you need, and wash clothes at a lower temperature.
- Switch appliances off at the wall rather than leaving them on standby.
How to cut your water bill
In England and Wales, most households can ask their water company to fit a meter for free. If you live alone or with one other person, paying for what you use is often less than a bill based on the value of your home. If a meter cannot be fitted, you may be offered a lower assessed charge instead. Many companies also let you switch back within a set time if you end up paying more.
Every water company has help for people on low incomes, such as a social tariff. WaterSure caps metered bills for some households on certain benefits with a large family or a medical condition that means using a lot of water. In Scotland, water charges come with your council tax, so the options are different.
Shorter showers, a full dishwasher and a bowl in the sink rather than a running tap all cut the hot water you pay to heat as well.
How to cut your broadband and phone bill
Broadband is often where loyalty costs the most. Your provider should let you know when your minimum term is ending. That is the moment to act. Look at what new customers are being offered, then ring your provider and ask them to match it, or switch.
If you receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit or certain other benefits, ask about a social tariff. These are lower-priced broadband packages offered by many providers, often with no exit fees. Plenty of eligible people have never heard of them.
It is also worth checking what speed you actually need. If you mostly browse and stream on one screen, you may be paying for far more than you use.
Extra help many people miss
The Priority Services Register is a free service from energy suppliers, network operators and water companies. It is for people who might need extra support, for example if you are of State Pension age, disabled, have a long-term health condition or have young children. It can mean advance warning of planned power cuts, priority help in an emergency and bills in a format that suits you. You need to sign up with your energy supplier and water company separately. Ofgem has the details.
Some households can also get help through schemes such as the Warm Home Discount. Eligibility varies, so check with your supplier or Citizens Advice.
If you are already behind on your bills
Contact your supplier as soon as you can. Energy suppliers must work with you to agree a payment plan you can afford, and many have hardship funds. Free advice is available from StepChange and National Debtline. For other ways to ease the pressure, see our guide to what rising prices mean for your household budget and our tips on which insurance you actually need.
