The energy price cap will rise by £63 in October, the third increase this year, pushing the average annual dual-fuel bill to £1,717. Against that backdrop, Ofgem has offered three tips to help households cut costs: turn down the thermostat, run appliances during off-peak hours, and draught-proof windows and doors. As reported by The Mirror, the regulator’s advice is sound as far as it goes. But for homeowners serious about reducing bills and improving EPC ratings, these tips are the appetiser, not the main course.
What Ofgem suggests, and what it costs
Ofgem’s three tips are: 1) lower your thermostat by one degree, saving about £80 a year; 2) run washing machines and dishwashers during off-peak electricity hours (typically 10pm–8am on Economy 7 tariffs), saving up to £50 a year; and 3) draught-proof windows, doors, and floorboards, saving around £45 a year. Total potential saving: roughly £175 a year. That’s welcome relief, but it’s a fraction of what a typical 3-bed semi spends on energy, about £1,717 a year under the October cap. The catch: these are behavioural changes that require ongoing discipline and offer diminishing returns once adopted. They also do nothing to address the underlying leakiness of the UK’s housing stock.
Why fabric upgrades outperform thermostat twiddling
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that cavity wall insulation saves a typical semi-detached home £200 a year. Loft insulation (250mm) saves another £180. Combined, that’s £380, more than double Ofgem’s combined tips. And unlike turning down the thermostat, insulation works 24/7 without you having to think about it. The upfront cost for cavity wall insulation is typically £700–£1,500, with payback in 3–7 years. Loft insulation costs around £300–£600 and pays back in under two years. For homeowners on the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), these costs can be zero. The EPC impact is significant: cavity wall insulation alone can lift a D-rated home to a C, and loft insulation adds another few points. Ofgem’s tips, by contrast, have zero EPC impact, they don’t appear on the assessment.
Heat pumps and solar, the big multipliers
Ofgem’s advice ignores the two most powerful levers for bill reduction: heat pumps and solar panels. A typical air-source heat pump, installed under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), costs about £2,500–£5,000 after the £7,500 grant. Running costs are typically 20–30% lower than a gas boiler, saving £200–£400 a year on a 3-bed semi. Pair that with solar panels, a 4kW system costing £5,000–£7,000, and you can cut electricity bills by £400–£600 a year (assuming 50% self-consumption). The combined saving: £600–£1,000 annually, or 3–6 times what Ofgem’s tips deliver. The EPC boost is equally dramatic: a heat pump can add 10–15 points, and solar panels add another 5–10, pushing a D-rated home into B territory. Ofgem’s tips add zero.
What homeowners should do next
Ofgem’s three tips are a useful starting point for renters or those on tight budgets. But for owner-occupiers with a few thousand pounds to invest, or access to grant schemes, the priority is clear: insulate first, then electrify. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. Book an EPC assessment to see where you stand. The October price cap rise makes delay expensive: every month without insulation or a heat pump is another £30–£50 on your bill. Act by 31 March 2027, when the BUS grant is currently funded until. After that, the calculus only gets harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Turning down the thermostat and draught-proofing cost little or nothing and save £125–£175 a year. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing.
Yes. A heat pump typically saves £200–£400 a year, more than double Ofgem's combined tips, and adds 10–15 EPC points. With the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant, payback is 5–10 years, after which the savings are pure profit.
