Many people are worried about energy bills this winter (Image: Getty)
Countless Brits are grappling with elevated energy costs this winter after Ofgem’s recent 0.2% price cap adjustment, which came on the heels of a 2% increase spanning October through December. However, EDF Energy has highlighted multiple strategies that could minimise financial strain, including a simple habit adjustment.
While it might appear overly straightforward, the energy supplier’s guidance essentially centres on your shower duration. Studies indicate that many people spend up to 10 minutes washing during each session, but reducing this to four minutes could deliver substantial energy savings.
In a 2024 online energy-saving guide, EDF explained: “Cutting your shower time to 4 minutes can save you around £60 a year on energy bills. Do you prefer baths? Consider swapping one bath a week for a shorter shower or running shallower baths to save water.”
EDF Energy is far from the only organisation advocating this approach. Britain’s Energy Saving Trust similarly notes that trimming your shower duration will not only reduce expenditure but could preserve roughly 17,000 litres of water annually.
The Trust’s calculations differ somewhat from EDF Energy’s figures, suggesting that most homes could save approximately £45 per year by taking four-minute showers. For households in Northern Ireland, this potential saving could reach £65.
The Energy Saving Trust explained online: “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.”
Spending less time in the shower could significantly reduce your energy consumption (Image: Getty)
Both EDF Energy and the Energy Saving Trust offer countless other recommendations for reducing energy consumption beyond showering. Another crucial suggestion concerns draught-proofing, which means sealing gaps around doors, windows and chimneys to prevent heat from escaping.
Thermal cameras prove particularly effective for identifying heat loss in homes, as they gauge surface temperatures. Property owners can observe the hottest spots in red and the coolest in blue.
Tackling common heat-loss areas such as windows, doors, and skirting boards can help retain warmth in your home for longer, minimising the need to increase the heating. Families with flexible finances might also choose a professional thermal survey, costing roughly £300 for smaller properties and £750 for larger ones.
For more energy-saving tips, you can head to EDF Energy’s blog here and The Energy Saving Trust’s website here.
What is the energy price cap?
The energy price cap for England, Wales and Scotland rose by 0.2% between January 1 and March 31, 2026, meaning typical dual-fuel households are paying around £1,758 annually. Whilst 0.2% may seem like a small increase, the new value is £20 higher than the level between January and March 2025.
Ofgem explains that its energy price cap is the ‘maximum amount’ that energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of energy and the ‘standard charge’ if you are on a standard variable tariff. Despite the general estimate of what ‘typical’ households might pay, the exact rate will vary based on factors such as your location, the type of meter you have, and your payment method.
Not everyone is affected by Ofgem’s price cap, but those on a default tariff who pay for electricity and gas through standard credit, Direct Debit, a prepayment meter, or an Economy 7 meter are generally affected.
Official guidance from Ofgem adds: “The actual amount you pay will depend on how much energy your household uses, where you live and the type of meter you have.
“You could pay less for your energy by changing your energy tariff or payment type. Find out if you can change or fix your tariff and how to switch energy supplier. Tell your energy supplier if you cannot pay your bills. They must help you if you ask. They could set up a repayment plan or provide you with emergency credit.”
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