Brits are set to face higher energy bills in 2026, as Ofgem announced a 0.2% price cap hike from January to March. This increase implies that the average dual-fuel household could see their annual costs rocket to £1,758 if they pay by Direct Debit.
Given this, you might be keen to discover practical methods to ease the financial strain. Octopus Energy, along with other leading providers, offers money-saving advice on its website, including a straightforward four-minute rule.
It might seem obvious, but Octopus Energy’s tip boils down to exactly how long you spend in the shower. Although research suggests that many of us spend up to 10 minutes scrubbing each time, cutting this to just four minutes could significantly reduce energy use.
Online guidance from Octopus Energy explains: « Keeping your shower time to just 4 minutes could save a typical household £60 a year! » On a separate note, it also adds: « Our tips come from the expertise of our wide-ranging team of scientists, engineers and heat specialists. We’ve got real feedback on how useful they are from more than 250,000 customers. »
Octopus Energy isn’t the only one advocating the four-minute rule. The Energy Saving Trust in Britain also highlights that trimming shower time can save cash and potentially conserve around 17,000 litres of water each year.
The trust’s estimates slightly differ from those of Octopus Energy, suggesting that most people could save approximately £45 each year by limiting showers to four minutes. This saving might increase to £65 for households in Northern Ireland.
According to the Mirror, The Energy Saving Trust explains: « Shortening the time that you spend in the shower will reduce the volume of water that goes down the drain, as well as saving you money on the energy used to heat the water. »
In addition to this, both Octopus Energy and the Energy Saving Trust offer numerous other energy-saving tips online. Another useful tip is draught-proofing, which involves sealing gaps around doors, windows, and chimneys to prevent heat loss.
Failing to address these areas could be why you’re constantly cranking up the thermostat. Octopus Energy’s online guidance adds: « A continuous draught can quickly undo all the good work of your heating – essentially wasting energy.
« Identifying and plugging up draughts around doors, windows and other gaps can help trap warmth in and make your gas spend go further…Professional draught-proofing can cost a few hundred pounds. You can also find draughts yourself using the back of your hand, or with a thermal camera and make your own excluders for free using old fabric scraps. Average saving: £80 per year. »
Thermal imaging devices prove particularly effective at detecting heat loss within homes, as they measure surface temperatures. Property owners can spot the warmest zones displayed in red and the coldest shown in blue.
Addressing typical heat escape points, including windows, doors, and skirting boards, can enhance a property’s insulation, enabling it to retain warmth for extended periods and minimising the need for frequent heating adjustments.
Those keen to utilise thermal imaging equipment can frequently borrow them free of charge from their local authority. The London Library of Things also hires out thermal cameras for just £15 daily, according to Which?. Numerous Octopus Energy customers can obtain access to these devices, too, though the firm’s programme is currently on hold until the new year.
Additional guidance from Octopus Energy states: « We genuinely want to help our customers be more energy efficient. It’s simply the right thing to do, not only because it keeps your bills low, but because it’s better for the environment as well.
« We’ve sent our cameras out to nearly 5,000 customers over the last few years, and we’re absolutely honoured that so many customers have told us that the camera loan has helped them practically identify how to save heat in their home. »
Households with flexible budgets can opt for a professional thermal survey, which costs around £300 for smaller homes and about £750 for larger properties. Which? recommends using its Home Energy Planning Service to identify the best options tailored to each household’s needs.
You can find further energy-saving advice at Octopus Energy’s website here and at The Energy Saving Trust here.
Today, Tim Jarvis, Director General, Markets, at Ofgem, also released a statement regarding Ofgem’s upcoming price cap rise. He said: « While energy prices have fallen in real terms over the past two years, we know people may not be feeling it in their pockets.
« The price cap helps protect households from overpaying for energy. But it’s only a safety net and there are practical ways that customers can pay less for their energy. Look at different tariffs and choose what’s right for you or change the way you pay to Direct Debit or smart pay-as-you-go. Prepayment remains the cheapest way to pay, and these customers are already saving around £47 on average.
« While wholesale energy costs are stabilising, they still make up the largest portion of our bills which leaves us open to volatile prices. That’s why we’re working with government and industry to boost clean energy and reduce our reliance on international sources we can’t control. »
