Energy-Saving Tips for Older Households, Without Going Cold

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

The energy savings that matter are the ones that stop waste without making you colder: better heating controls, hot water set correctly, draught-proofing, and knowing which appliances are costly to run. Turning the heating down until you feel cold is not a saving. It is a risk to your health.

The rule that comes before every tip

The NHS advises heating your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you and, if you can, to at least 18°C in the rooms you regularly use, such as the living room and bedroom. It lists people aged 65 and over, and people with long-term health conditions, among those more vulnerable to the cold. Many older people who sit still for long periods are comfortable only with the living room somewhat warmer than 18°C, and that is fine: 18°C is a floor, not a target.

Watch out: Ignore any tip that tells you to heat "the person, not the home" as a replacement for heating. A heated throw is a good extra, but your rooms still need to be warm enough. If you cannot afford that, ring your supplier and Citizens Advice, and read keeping warm for less. The NHS has more advice on keeping warm and well.

Tips that make a real difference

Get to know your heating controls

Most central heating has three controls, and using them properly is the biggest free saving there is.

The programmer or timer sets when the heating comes on and goes off. If you are at home most of the day, set it for the hours you are up, not the hours a working household would use.
The room thermostat sets how warm the home gets. Turning it up high does not heat the room any faster; it only makes it hotter in the end.
Thermostatic radiator valves, the numbered dials on radiators, let you keep a spare room cooler. Turn them down, not off, to keep damp away.

Stop the draughts

Draught strips around doors and windows, a letterbox brush, a chimney draught excluder for an unused fireplace and heavy curtains closed at dusk all keep in heat you have already paid for. Never block airbricks or vents in rooms with a gas fire, boiler or stove. Bigger jobs, such as loft and wall insulation, may be free: see insulation grants.

Be careful with hot water

Fit a jacket to a hot water cylinder, and lag the pipes you can reach.
Heat water on a timer for when you need it, not all day.
A shower generally uses less hot water than a bath. If getting in and out of the bath is the real problem, see bath lifts and shower seats.

Know which appliances cost the most

Anything that makes heat uses a lot of electricity: tumble dryers, electric heaters, immersion heaters, ovens, kettles. Things that make light, sound or pictures use little. Our running cost calculator works out the cost of any appliance from its wattage and your own unit rate.

Worth doing	Hardly worth worrying about
Drying washing on an airer in a ventilated room, or outside, when you can	Unplugging phone chargers
Boiling only the water you need	Sitting in poor light to save on bulbs
Washing clothes at 30°C with a full load	Turning the fridge or freezer off
Using a microwave, slow cooker or air fryer for small meals in place of the oven	Switching the television off at the wall, if it is a modern set
Changing any remaining old bulbs for LEDs	Going without hot drinks

Make sure the bill itself is right

Give regular meter readings, or have a smart meter, so you pay for what you use and not for an estimate. Check you are on a sensible tariff: see choosing an energy tariff. And claim what you are due, including the Winter Fuel Payment and the Warm Home Discount.

Savings that are not worth the risk

Heating only one room and leaving the rest icy. Moving from a warm room to a very cold bedroom or bathroom is a strain on the body, and cold, unheated rooms get damp.
Turning off the heating at night in a cold snap. The NHS advises keeping the bedroom at 18°C or above if you can, with the window closed on cold nights.
Skipping hot meals. Hot food and drinks help keep you warm.
Using a gas oven or hob to heat the room, or bringing a barbecue or camping stove indoors. These can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Fit a carbon monoxide alarm near any fuel-burning appliance.

Tip: A room thermometer costs a few pounds and takes the guesswork out. Put one in the living room and one in the bedroom, away from radiators and direct sunlight.

Common questions

Is it cheaper to leave the heating on low all day?

For most homes, no: heating the home when you need it, using the timer and thermostat, uses less energy. But if you are at home all day, "when you need it" may well be most of the day. Comfort and health come first.

Do energy-saving gadgets sold online work?

Be sceptical. Plug-in boxes that claim to "cut your bill by half" do not work and can be unsafe. Draught strips, radiator reflector foil, LED bulbs and a tank jacket are cheap, proven and dull. See online shopping safety.

Should I turn radiators off in rooms I do not use?

Turn them down low and keep the door shut. A completely unheated room can become damp and mouldy, which is bad for your chest and for the house.

Who can check my home and advise me in person?

Ask your council, your supplier or your local Age UK whether a free home energy check is available in your area. Join the Priority Services Register too.