Looking to lower your energy bills but don’t want to freeze this winter?
You’re not alone.
Everyone wants to pay less for energy. Fewer bills means more money in your pocket. And who doesn’t want that?
The issue…
Most people don’t know which upgrades actually work. Some waste money and achieve nothing. Others just don’t bother at all.
But…
There’s electrical upgrades you can do that will reduce your monthly energy bill. Some are quick and cheap. Others require professional installation. But they all work. Every single one.
In this guide:
- Why are Energy Bills Rising?
- Which Electrical Upgrades Are Best For Saving Money?
- Smart Home Tech That’ll Save You Money
- How To Effectively Begin Making Home Improvements
Why are Energy Bills Rising?
Energy bills are a REAL pain right now.
Recent stats from the House of Commons Library show that average household bills in the UK are still 45% higher than winter 2021/22. Meaning if they were £100 before, they’re now £145.
Yeah… That’s not coming down any time soon.
And the worst part…
The ONLY way to effectively reduce your bills is to use LESS energy. Helping yourself with price caps and schemes can give temporary relief. But ultimately, homeowners need to invest in making their homes more energy-efficient.
One thing to note when researching electrical upgrades –
Always shop around when hiring an electrician. Ensure you compare electrician prices so you don’t get ripped off. The easiest way to find a local electrician is by using a trusted comparison service. Send your details to multiple electricians who then contact you directly to discuss your project and provide quotes.
You get free quotes and can safely compare prices whilst knowing all electricians are verified and qualified.
It’ll save you money and hassle later on.
Which Electrical Upgrades Are Best For Saving Money?
Some upgrades are more effective than others.
Savings can be instant or take years to manifest. Here are the electrical upgrades that will make a difference to your energy bills…
LED Lighting
This one’s an obvious one.
LED light bulbs use 80% less energy than their halogen counterparts. They also last 20x longer according to Energy Saving Trust. So you won’t have to replace them as often either.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that lighting makes up about 11% of household electricity usage. By replacing every lightbulb in your house with LEDs, you can save £40 – £60 a year.
Not bad for probably the simplest upgrade of them all.
You don’t even need to hire a professional electrician for this one. Swap out the bulbs yourself and start saving money day one.
Smart Thermostats / Heating Controls
Smart thermostats are the most popular electrical upgrade in the UK right now.
Data from Gov.uk states that heating controls accounted for 45% of all measures installed as part of energy efficiency improvements during 2024. Thermostats, timers and radiator valves all count.
Why are they so popular?
Simple. They actually work.
A smart thermostat learns your routine and automatically adjusts the heating when you leave and return home. No more heating an empty house. Or leaving it on overnight before you remember to turn it off.
You can even program your heating to match your lifestyle exactly. Plus use smart radiator valves to control the temperature in each room individually.
You’ll have access to live energy usage info via an app on your phone. Plus notifications if your heating uses more energy than expected.
They do require professional installation. Especially smart thermostats that connect directly to your homes wiring. Though there are wifi enabled options that allow easier DIY installation.
Upgraded Consumer Units
Did your house have an old fuse box upgraded?
Old style fuse boxes are far from energy efficient. Nor are they particularly safe.
Upgrading to a modern consumer unit with RCD protection is better for safety and lets you add extra circuits easily. For things like newer energy efficient appliances. New consumer units also make it easier (cheaper) to get future electrical work done.
You’ll need to hire a local electrician to do this work for you. They’ll survey your current setup and advise what’s best for your home before installing a new consumer unit that meets current regulations.
Timer Switches / Motion Sensors
Automation is your friend.
Installing timer switches on lights and appliances means they’re only on when you need them. Motion sensor lights provide instant lighting when needed and switch off once you leave the room.
Both help combat the ‘everything is on all the time’ mindset that many households have.
Motion sensor security lighting outside is a great upgrade. No more leaving your outdoor lights on all night. They’ll only come on when the sensor detects movement.
Smart Home Technology That Saves You Money
Ah yes. The category we were all waiting for.
Smart tech isn’t just a gimmick these days.
While there’s LOTS of pointless tech out there. The right smart upgrades can genuinely help reduce your energy usage.
If you’re savvy about it. The key is implementing technology that fixes a problem you already have. Not buying gadgets that ‘might be useful one day’.
For energy saving, the following smart home tech can make a difference:
- Smart plugs to eliminate phantom power draw
- Monitor energy usage and identify which appliances are wasting money
- Automate your lighting based on occupancy
- Install smart power strips for easy control of your entertainment centre and more
Smart Thermostats
- You’d be surprised how much of a difference these make.
- As mentioned above, smart thermostats aren’t just a “nice to have”. Every home should have one installed.
- Program your heating to match your lifestyle
- Control each room individually with smart radiator valves
- Monitor live energy use via an app on your smartphone
- Get notified if your heating uses too much energy
Installing a smart thermostat is classed as electrical work. Meaning it’ll need to be done by a professional electrician. Many modern options allow wireless installations. Meaning less electrical work and easier DIY jobs.
Getting Qualified Help
Electrical upgrades shouldn’t always be DIY.
Your consumer unit upgrade will need to be handled by a qualified electrician. As will any work that involves your homes mains electricity supply.
Installing smart tech that plugs into your home’s wiring should also be done carefully. Some upgrades may still be manageable as DIY projects. But don’t be afraid to hire professional help if needed.
A few tips when hiring local electricians:
- Get at least 2-3 quotes for comparison
- Cheapest doesn’t always equal best value
- Check electricians are qualified for the work you need and read customer reviews before deciding who to hire
- Ask about warranties on their work
- If something goes wrong do you know who’s responsible?
Making Multiple Upgrades Work Together
Saving on your energy bill isn’t just about one or two upgrades.
Adding LED lighting will reduce how much electricity you use. Smart heating controls make sure your boiler only turns on when needed. Timer switches mean fewer appliances are left on standby.
Together these upgrades and many more can significantly lower your monthly bills.
When doing multiple upgrades, start with the simple ones:
- Change any remaining bulbs to LEDs
- Install a smart thermostat
- Fit timer switches on lights you regularly forget to turn off
- Install smart plugs on large appliances that draw a lot of power
THEN build upon that foundation.
Look at your energy bills and see where you can make savings. Tackle those areas with suitable upgrades.
Wrapping Everything Up
Don’t sit there and hope for energy bills to go down.
There’s definitely things you can do about high energy prices. All of the above upgrades have been tried and tested by thousands of homeowners.
Some will cost you money. Others are simple swaps. But they all work.
If you do choose to hire an electrician for certain upgrades. Don’t be scammed on price. Know what electricians should be charging you for certain jobs.
Remember…
- LED bulbs are the easiest place to start and won’t cost you much
- Smart heating controls will save you the most money
- NOT all electrical upgrades require an electrician
- Mixing multiple upgrades together can help save you more money
…and saves you more money in the long run.
Start small. See the difference those changes make to your bills. Then keep topping up your homes energy-efficiency.
