Colder months are creeping in, and energy prices are higher than we’d like. So, it makes sense to look for ways to save money, and heat your home more efficiently.
Here’s the good news. A few smart tech upgrades can help you create a more energy efficient home. From smart thermostats that learn your routine to smart light switches that turn themselves off, here are seven tips to lower your bills and keep your home comfy.
1. Smart thermostats: smarter heating, lower bills
Smart heating controls are a great way of cutting costs, as heating usually makes up the biggest chunk of your energy bill. Smart Thermostats like the Hive and Tado learn your daily routine and automatically adjust the temperature. That means your heating’s not on full blast when no one’s home, and your house is warm when you need it to be. You can control everything from your phone, too - or use your voice assistant to tweak the settings hands-free.
How much will you save? According to the Energy Saving Trust, a smart thermostat could save you around 10% on your heating bills over the year. Tado’s own research suggests that figure could be even higher, depending on your home and habits.
2. Smart radiator valves: only heat the rooms you need
Not every room needs to be heated all the time. And smart radiator valves make it easy to only warm the spaces you’re actually using.
They work alongside your smart thermostat to give you zonal heating. That means you can set different temperatures for different rooms - or switch the heating off completely in places like the spare room or hallway.
They’re really handy, especially if you’re working from home in one room all day or only using certain parts of the house in the evenings. They’re also easy to install, and you can control most of them through an app.
3. Smart plugs: stop wasting standby power
Even when appliances look like they’re off, a lot of them are still drawing electricity. TVs, gaming consoles, kitchen gadgets – they’re all quietly using what’s known as ‘vampire’ or standby power.
Smart plugs let you take back control. You can switch them off remotely, set schedules, or use voice commands to cut power completely when devices aren’t in use. They’re also useful for managing energy-hungry appliances – things like portable heaters, dehumidifiers or even festive lights.
How much will you save? The Energy Saving Trust estimates that standby power can account for 8–10% of your electricity use, so stopping it’s a quick win.
4. Smart lighting: more automation, more efficiency
Smart lighting is a great way of making your home more energy efficient. Using LEDs, motion sensors, and timers, these systems can switch lights off when rooms are empty, dim them in the evening or even adjust brightness depending on the natural light coming in. Some setups can even sync with your routines or respond to your voice. So you can start saving energy without having to lift a finger.
5. Smart home hubs & ecosystems: connect and control everything together
If you’ve got a few smart devices already, it’s worth linking them all up with a smart home hub like Samsung SmartThings. It’s a smart home platform brings everything (heating, lighting, plugs and more) into one easy-to-use app.
Most hubs give you the power to set up smart routines. For example, a “Goodnight” setting could turn off lights, lower the heating, and switch off plugs all at once. It makes managing your home easier and helps reduce wasted energy, without having to think about it.
6. Smart light switches and sensors: never forget to switch off again
We’ve all left a light on in the hallway or bathroom and only realised hours later. Smart light switches and sensors cuts out that bad habit completely.
Smart switches give you more control over standard bulbs, so you don’t have to replace every bulb to start saving. Motion sensors turn the lights on when someone enters a room, and off again when they leave. They’re especially useful in high-traffic or forgotten spots like hallways and landings.
7. Smart bulbs: bright ideas for efficient lighting
Smart bulbs are one of the easiest energy upgrades you can make. Most are LED-based (so already up to 80% more efficient than halogen), and they give you loads of extra control.
You can schedule them to turn on or off at set times, adjust brightness to suit the time of day, or even change the colour to set the mood. A lot of smart bulbs work directly with Wi-Fi, so you can get started without needing a separate hub.
How much will you save? Smart bulbs use up to 80% less energy than traditional halogen bulbs, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Remember, smart controls mean you're only using that energy when it's actually needed!
FAQs
Are smart radiator valves worth it?
Yes, if you want a home that’s more energy efficient. Smart radiator valves let you control each room’s temperature separately, so the living room can be warm in the evening while bedrooms or unused spaces stay cooler. That means you’re not wasting heat (or money) on rooms you’re not using.
How much energy do smart plugs save?
Smart plugs reduce standby power (electricity drawn by devices even when they’re ‘off’). In UK homes, this can be 8–10% of total electricity use, which is a big chunk of your energy bill.
Can smart lighting cut bills?
Yes. Smart lighting stops lights from being left on unnecessarily. Paired with energy-efficient LEDs, it can cut energy use by up to 80% compared to halogens. You can also set schedules, or control lights when you’re away.
Do smart appliances use less electricity?
Smart appliances are designed to save energy in real time. This helps you spot wasteful habits - like over-chilling the fridge or running half-full loads of laundry - so you can tweak routines and save energy.
What’s the cheapest smart upgrade for a home?
Smart plugs are the easiest and cheapest way to start. They’re simple to set up and cut standby power from the get-go. You can start by using them on a few products, adding more later when your budget allows for it.
Need more help?
Want more advice on how to save energy at home? Check out our articles to create a more energy efficient home and find out why home is where the savings are. If you fancy a chat, pop into your local Currys store. Our expert colleagues will happily answer your questions and help you find the right setup for your home.
