Energy Saving Tips for Summer UK
Summer is the perfect time to reduce your energy bills. Your heating is off but there are still plenty of ways to keep costs down — and some smart moves to make before winter arrives.
In this guide
1. Switch to a cheaper tariff now
Summer is actually the best time of year to switch energy supplier. Here’s why — energy prices tend to be lower in summer, meaning fixed tariffs are often at their cheapest. By locking in a fixed deal now you protect yourself from price rises heading into autumn and winter when demand goes up.
If your current fixed deal has ended or is ending soon don’t wait — compare now and lock in a competitive rate before October when prices typically increase.
Lock in a summer deal before prices rise
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Compare energy deals →2. Turn off your heating completely
Many households leave their heating set to a low background temperature even in summer — costing money unnecessarily. In the warmer months turn your heating off completely rather than leaving it ticking over.
If you have a combi boiler this is straightforward — just set the heating to off while leaving hot water on. If you have a system boiler with a hot water cylinder you may need to keep the heating on briefly to heat the water tank — but you can reduce the frequency significantly in summer.
Tip: Check your boiler has a separate hot water programme so you can turn heating off completely without losing hot water. Most modern boilers allow you to control heating and hot water independently.
3. Reduce your hot water temperature
Your boiler’s hot water flow temperature is often set higher than necessary. Reducing it from 80°C to 60°C can improve boiler efficiency by up to 10% — saving money without any noticeable difference to your showers or taps.
In summer you’re also less likely to need very hot water for heating radiators so this adjustment makes even more sense during the warmer months. Check your boiler manual for how to adjust the flow temperature — it’s usually a simple dial or button.
4. Use appliances more efficiently
Summer brings some great opportunities to use less electricity on everyday appliances:
👗 Dry clothes outside — tumble dryers use a lot of electricity. Line drying in summer is free and your clothes smell better too. Saves around £60/yr.
🧺 Wash at 30°C — summer is a great time to get into this habit. Modern detergents work just as well at lower temperatures.
🍳 Use the microwave or air fryer — they use significantly less energy than a conventional oven for smaller meals.
💡 Use natural light — longer daylight hours mean you need artificial lighting for fewer hours. Make the most of it by keeping curtains open during the day.
🖥️ Turn off screens and devices — with better weather you’re likely outside more. Make sure devices aren’t left on standby unnecessarily.
5. Keep your home cool without air conditioning
Air conditioning uses a lot of electricity. Most UK homes don’t have it but even portable AC units and fans can add to your bills. Here are some free ways to keep your home cool in hot weather:
🪟 Open windows at night — let cool night air in and close windows and curtains during the hottest part of the day to keep heat out
🪞 Close south-facing blinds — south and west facing windows let in the most direct sunlight and heat
🌿 Use plants — houseplants naturally cool the air through a process called transpiration
💨 Use fans strategically — a fan facing out of a window expels hot air more effectively than one facing in
🛌 Switch to lighter bedding — helps you sleep without needing a fan running all night
6. Make the most of sunlight
If you have solar panels summer is when they generate the most electricity. Make sure you’re running your high-energy appliances — dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer — during daylight hours to use your free solar-generated electricity rather than drawing from the grid.
If you don’t have solar panels summer is a good time to get quotes — installation companies are busy in spring and summer but deals can still be found. Solar panels typically pay for themselves within 8-12 years and generate free electricity for 25+ years.
7. Use summer to prepare for winter
Summer is the best time to tackle home improvements that will reduce your winter heating bills — tradespeople are easier to book and the work can be done without disrupting your heating.
🏠 Get your boiler serviced — book now before the autumn rush. Boiler engineers are much easier to book in summer and cheaper too.
🧱 Add insulation — loft and cavity wall insulation is best installed in dry weather. Get quotes now for installation before winter.
🚪 Draught proof doors and windows — a simple DIY job that takes a couple of hours and costs very little.
🪟 Check your double glazing seals — look for condensation between panes which indicates a broken seal reducing insulation effectiveness.
8. Check your energy account credit balance
If you pay by monthly direct debit you’ll typically build up credit on your account over summer as you use less energy than your monthly payment covers. Log into your supplier’s online account and check your credit balance.
If you have a large credit balance you have two options — request a refund from your supplier (they’re legally required to provide one) or reduce your monthly direct debit so you stop building up unnecessary credit.
Watch out: Some suppliers set direct debits higher than necessary to build up a large credit balance. This is essentially an interest-free loan from you to them. If your credit is more than one month’s bill it’s worth requesting a reduction or refund.
Related guides
How to reduce your energy bills UK 2026 → How to reduce your gas bill UK → What happens when your energy deal ends? →Lock in a cheaper tariff this summer
Summer is the best time to switch. Compare energy deals for your postcode now — free, no obligation.
Compare energy deals →Written by the FastSwitch team · Last updated April 2026
FastSwitch is a free UK energy comparison service. We may earn a commission when you switch via our site — this never affects the deals or prices you see.
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