Looking for easy ways to save on bills at home? Household bills in the UK have spiked once again this spring, but don’t panic. There are plenty of free, simple things you can do right now to bring your bills back under control.
Here are ten straightforward ways to save on bills and utilities before summer starts.
1. Renew your broadband contract
Has your broadband contract expired? If you’re outside your initial contract period, you’re probably overpaying for your broadband connection. Check if you can renew or switch your plan to save money, and read our guide to haggling your broadband contract to find ways to save even more.
2. Switch your energy tariff
Rising oil and gas prices are expected to send energy bills climbing this summer, but you can beat the spike by switching to a fixed-rate tariff and locking in your unit rates.
Already on a fixed-rate tariff? You can still save on bills by saving energy at home – plus you’ll be cutting your carbon footprint.
3. Check your Council Tax band (and any discounts)
Thousands of UK homes are in the wrong Council Tax band and are overpaying by hundreds of pounds a year. Find out how to check and contest your band, and claim Council Tax discounts in our full guide.
4. Install a water meter
Do you use less water than the average household? If so, you can cut your water bill by installing a water meter and only paying for the water you actually use. Households with fewer occupants than bedrooms tend to save the most.
5. Check whether you need a TV licence
Are you paying for a TV licence? If you don’t watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer, you may not legally need one. The rules are set by GOV.UK – check the criteria and our full guide to TV licence rules before you renew.
6. Cut the home phone line
Half of UK households still have a landline phone, despite only 15% of us using one regularly. If you’re still paying for a landline you don’t need, cutting the cord is an easy way to save on bills.
7. Bundle your services
Are you paying separately for your broadband, TV, streaming services and mobile contract? Bundling them together will save you money, as well as unlocking extra perks like a broadband speed boost or more mobile data every month.
8. Shop around for insurance
When was the last time you renewed your insurance? Comparing available policies, whether through an online service or an expert insurance broker, could save you £100s while still protecting you from potential disasters.
9. Get a smart meter
Do you know how much energy you’re using? From lights left on to sneaky vampire devices, it might be more than you think. Installing a smart meter helps you keep track of how much gas and electricity you’re using at any moment – plus it automatically sends your usage data to your supplier so you only pay for what you actually use.
10. Pay by direct debit
Did you know that many utility suppliers offer discounts based on how you pay? Switch to paying by direct debit, and you won’t only save on the stress of arranging payments every month – you can also save money on your bills.
| Action | Typical saving | Time to do |
|---|---|---|
| Renew or switch broadband | £100-£200/year | 15 minutes |
| Fix your energy tariff | £100-£300/year | 10 minutes |
| Check Council Tax band | Up to £400/year if rebanded | 10 minutes |
| Install a water meter | £100-£200/year (low-use homes) | 5 minutes to apply |
| Cancel TV licence (if eligible) | £180/year | 5 minutes |
| Drop unused landline | £60-£120/year | 10 minutes |
| Bundle services | £50-£200/year | 15 minutes |
| Shop around for insurance | £100+/year | 20 minutes |
| Install a smart meter | £50-£100/year (via behaviour change) | 5 minutes to book |
| Pay by direct debit | 5-10% off most utilities | 5 minutes |
Sources: GOV.UK – Council Tax bands, GOV.UK – TV licence, Ofgem – smart meters.
