Get ready for the clocks changing

Adjust your controls and thermostats

Heating controls help keep your home comfortably warm without overheating and wasting energy. They allow you to choose when your heating comes on and, by using the radiator valves, you can control the temperature in each room too. 

By using the controls properly, you could save money, so it’s worth considering when you need the heating to be on. You can time the heating to switch off around half an hour before you leave the house and go to bed – it will still be nice and warm, and you won’t waste energy. If you’ve already been doing this, remember to set the timers back by an hour at the same time you change your clocks.

Turning your thermostat down is another way you can save energy. A common misconception is that turning the thermostat up will heat up your home quicker, but this will only heat your home to a higher temperature at the same rate. Turning down your thermostat from 22°C to 21°C could save you £90 and 300kg of CO2 over a year*. We recommend setting your thermostat between 18°C and 21°C.

Read our guide on thermostat and heating controls to find out how to use heating controls effectively, save money on your heating bills and lower your carbon emissions. 

Reduce heat loss and draughts

You can significantly reduce heat loss and draughts by making small changes in your home.  Some simple tips include:

• closing your curtains at dusk to keep the heat in
• putting up thermal door curtains on external doors
• laying a rug over stone, vinyl or laminate flooring
• sticking reflective radiator foil behind your radiator to reflect heat back into the room that would otherwise be lost through the wall. 

In addition, remember to turn off appliances when they’re not in use, and switch to energy-efficient LED lightbulbs wherever possible.

Get the best deal for your energy

As it gets colder and darker and you use more energy at home, it’s important to keep an eye on your energy bills. You should also check you’re on the best tariff for your situation.

Your energy supplier must tell you about the cheapest tariff suitable for your energy use - they usually do this by listing the most appropriate tariff for you on your bill. You can also contact them directly to find out about the most cost-effective tariff for you. It could be worthwhile ‘shopping around’ to see if you can get a better deal from a different supplier.

Understanding energy tariffs can be confusing but don’t worry, we can help. Read our guide about how to get the best deal for your energy. 

*Based on a typical three bedroom semi-detached gas heated home, using an average gas price of 6.3 p/kWh and an average electricity price of 25.9 p/kWh. Correct as of July 2025.