Millions of households could be spending far more than they need to on energy simply by sticking to normal daily habits, an expert has warned.
With the energy price cap currently set at around £1,641 for a typical home under Ofgem, bills are expected to rise again this summer. Forecasts suggest costs could climb to between £1,850 and £1,930 from July, meaning small inefficiencies could have a much bigger impact on household budgets.
Gordon Wallis from Your NRG said many people are losing money through habits they do not think twice about.
“People assume energy bills are all about big things like heating systems, but it is the small daily habits that really add up,” he said.
“If you look across a full year, those little inefficiencies can easily cost households £150 to £200 without them realising.”
Boiling more water than you need
One of the biggest culprits is the kettle, which is used multiple times a day in most homes.
Wallis said, “Boiling a full kettle when you only need one or two cups is one of the simplest ways people waste electricity. It might not seem like much in the moment, but repeated every day, it quickly adds up.”
He added that being more precise with water levels is an easy win that requires no lifestyle change.
“It is one of the quickest habits to fix and one of the easiest ways to start saving straight away.”
Leaving appliances on standby
Another common issue is leaving appliances on standby, which continues to draw power in the background.
“People often underestimate how much energy is being used when things are switched off but still plugged in,” Wallis said.
“Televisions, consoles and even kitchen appliances are all contributing to your bill without you actively using them.”
He said switching devices off at the wall, where possible, can make a noticeable difference over time.
Turning the heating up instead of adjusting it
Heating habits also play a major role, particularly how people use their thermostat.
“There is a common misunderstanding that turning the thermostat up higher will heat your home faster, but that is not how these systems work,” Wallis said.
“What it tends to do instead is overshoot the temperature you actually need, which wastes energy.”
He added that small adjustments can have a measurable impact.
“Even reducing your thermostat by just one degree can cut costs across the year without making your home feel noticeably colder.”
Using appliances inefficiently
Everyday appliance use can also drive up bills if not managed carefully.
“Running half-empty dishwashers or using higher temperatures than necessary for washing clothes are habits that quietly increase your energy use,” Wallis said.
“For most loads, 30 degrees is more than enough. Modern detergents are designed to work at lower temperatures, so there is no real need to go higher unless items are heavily soiled.”
The takeaway
With prices expected to rise again in July, Wallis said households should focus on the changes they can control now.
“You cannot control the price cap, but you can control how efficiently you use energy in your home,” he said.
“These are small changes, but when you put them together they can take a real chunk off your annual bill.”
