How To Cut Your Household Bills Before Winter
Last Updated on: 6th October 2026, 09:16 am
Cut Your Household Bills
As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, it’s a good time to start thinking about the cost of staying warm all winter. Energy bills are one of your biggest outgoings in the colder months. Christmas and other seasonal costs can put even more pressure on your family budget. Luckily, there are still plenty of ways to reduce your household bills before winter arrives. It doesn’t mean making huge changes or spending a lot of money either. A few small changes can help cut your household bills. Here are ten things you can do now to prepare your finances for the colder months.
Check Your Energy Tariff
One of the first things to do is check what energy tariff you are currently on. If you haven’t looked at your prices for a while, you could be paying more than you need to. If you have storage heaters, make sure you are paying less electricity through the night when your storage heaters are on. Checking your tariff and switching to a better one can save a fair bit of money over the year. Also check you are paying the correct amount. You can give your supplier a meter reading to check it matches up with their records. You could even get a smart meter to see how much you are using, as you use it.
Check Your Home for Draughts
Before even thinking about putting the heating on, you need to check your home for draughts. Cold air can still get in if there are gaps around windows and doors. So no amount of heating will keep your house warm. Draught excluders around doors are good and cut out loads of draught. If you own your house, it might be a good idea to look at getting insulation added. Keeping the heat inside your house and stopping the cold from getting in will help to keep your bills down.
Turn Down Your Thermostat To Cut Your Household Bills
Even if you turn your thermostat down a little bit, it will make a difference to your heating costs. It doesn’t mean you need to sit in a cold house, but find yourself a lower and more comfortable temperature. Use the thermostat to create a schedule around your lifestyle; it doesn’t make sense to have the heating on when you are not home. Turning down your thermostat and popping on a jumper instead will help to keep the bills lower too.
Make Your Heating Work Smarter And Cut Your Household Bills
Rather than simply turning the heating up whenever you feel cold, think about how your home is heated. Try not to block your radiators with large pieces of furniture, and keep doors closed between rooms if you can. If the radiators are not heating up enough, it might be because they need bleeding. If you have heating controls, timers or smart controls, use them to make your heating fit around your family’s daily routine.
Save Money on Your Water Bill
If you have a water meter, reducing the amount of water you use could help lower your water bill. Some easy changes can include taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, and only running the washing machine or dishwasher when you have a full load. You can also check whether your water company offers free water-saving devices. Small changes to your daily routine can add up over time.
Cut Your Household Bills By Reviewing Your Subscriptions
October is a great time to go through your bank statements and check exactly where your money is going. Look at the streaming services you are paying for. Are you still using them? Do you think you can get a better deal by renewing at a lower price? Even if you use a TV subscription for one or two programmes, is it really worth it? You could be paying £9.99 a month for one programme. Cancelling unused subscriptions can save £5 or £10 a month, but it is still a saving. Don’t forget there are some free streaming services available too.
Reduce Your Food Shopping Bill
Food is another area where small changes can save money. Before you go to the supermarket, check your cupboards, fridge and freezer and plan meals around what you already have. Making a shopping list and sticking to it can help reduce impulse buys. Batch cooking is another useful way to save both time and money. Cook larger portions and freeze leftovers so you have inexpensive meals available on busy days. Don’t forget to compare supermarket prices and swap branded food for supermarket own-brand products where they suit your family. Every time you swap to a supermarket own brand, you are saving money. Also don’t forget to swipe your supermarket loyalty card to get points and save money.
Check Your Insurance
Don’t automatically renew your home, contents or other insurance policies without checking the price. I recently renewed my travel insurance and saved £300 a year! Shop around before renewal and compare the cover as well as the price. The cheapest policy isn’t always the best option, so make sure it provides the protection you actually need. Also check that your details and cover are still accurate. Paying for cover you don’t need could mean money wasted.
Start Your Christmas Budget Now
Christmas might still seem a long way away, but starting your preparations in October can help prevent a financial headache later. Work out how much you can realistically afford to spend and make a list of the people you need to buy for. Set a total Christmas budget and divide it between presents, food, decorations, travel and other expenses. Starting early gives you more time to look for bargains and spread the cost rather than relying on credit cards or borrowing.
Have a Household Money Check-Up
Finally, give your entire household budget a review. Write down your regular income and essential expenses, followed by non-essential spending. Look for areas where you could make reductions. You don’t have to cut everything enjoyable from your life. The aim is to identify unnecessary spending and redirect some of that money towards your winter bills and savings. Even putting aside a small amount each week could give you a useful financial cushion when unexpected expenses appear.