How to save money on four types of domestic bills

In our last article How to get help with the cost of living we looked at sources of financial help for some of the main expenses for UK households in 2026. In this article we continue the theme of how to save money by exploring some smart ways to reduce your domestic bills.

It is worth taking time to regularly check all your domestic bills to see if you can save money on any of them. It is all too easy to get into a rut and just accept the rising bills you are sent. But there are often ways to save money.

In this article we take a look at ways to reduce four types of domestic bill:

• Energy;
• Water;
• Phone and broadband;
• Insurance.

Energy

• Check with your supplier to see if there is any cheaper tariff you can go onto. If applicable, most suppliers have a social tariff which is a discounted plan for low-income, disabled, or vulnerable households.
• If your current supplier can’t offer you a better deal, look around to see if you may be able to get a better deal elsewhere. There are various websites that can help you with this. Ofgem has a list here. It would be useful to have details of your current energy usage for this, for example your most recent bill. And if you need help understanding your bill, The Energy Saving Trust has a helpful video Understanding your energy bills.
• Also find ways to use less energy in the home. For example:
  • Turn the thermostat down by 1℃;
  • Switch off lights that aren’t being used;
  • Switch off appliances at the wall instead of leaving them in standby mode;
  • Use economy and low temperature settings on washing machines and other appliances;
  • Draught-proof your home to prevent cold air coming in and wasting heat;
  • When using the oven, cook several things together to make the most of the energy;
  • Keep your fridge and freezer full : use bowls of water to fill up any unused spaces.

Water

• Check with your supplier to see if there is any cheaper tariff you can go onto. They may offer a social tariff scheme if you either have a low income or receive certain benefits. 
• Look into the WaterSure scheme. If you have a water meter and are on certain benefits you may be eligible for this scheme, which would cap your bill at a lower amount. You can find out more about the WaterSure scheme from Citizens Advice here. 
• If you don’t have a water meter, you could save money by having one installed. This means you would only pay for the water you actually use. There is a Consumer Council for Water calculator which enables you to check if having a water meter installed could save you money. But if you find that your water meter doesn’t save money you can change back to unmetered billing within 12 months of installation. 
• Also find ways to use less water in the home. For example:
  • Shower instead of having a bath as this uses less water; 
  • Fully load your washing machine and dishwasher rather than half loads;
  • Turn taps off when not in use, for example, when brushing your teeth;
  • Fix dripping or leaking taps as this can waste around half a bath of water per week;
  • Use a watering can instead of a hosepipe in the garden;
  • Install a cistern displacement device in your toilet cistern. This can reduce the amount of water used by up to 3 litres per flush. Some water companies supply them free of charge.

Phone and broadband

If you have a phone and/or broadband, there are ways to save money. These vary according to whether or not you are still in contract. You can check your latest bill or online account to find the status of your contract or, for phones you can text “info” to 85075 to find this out.

If your contract is coming to an end, or if you are already out of contract, and want a better deal, the first thing to do is to contact your current provider to see what they can do for you. Many providers will be willing to work with you to find a cheaper way forward for you rather than lose you as a customer. 

If you still think you could be paying less, try checking out other potential providers. Websites such as Compare the Market, USwitch or Money Supermarket can help with this. 

Insurances

Different types of insurance are available to cover pretty much everything in life. Some kinds of insurance you have to have – for example buildings insurance if you have a mortgage, and car insurance if you drive a car. But even for those types of insurance that are not compulsory, many of us like the peace of mind of knowing that if something bad happens there will be some kind of financial help available. 

The most common types of insurance are:

• Home insurance (buildings and/or contents);
• Car insurance;
• Travel insurance;
• Life insurance;
• Health insurance;
• Pet insurance.

Insurance tends to be expensive, so it is always worth trying to get a better deal to help you save money. The best time to do this is when your contract is about to come to an end. At this point, your current supplier will usually send you a renewal notice which will include the cost of the payments for next year. The first step is to contact your supplier and see if there is a better deal available. Also at this point, make sure you understand exactly what you are paying for, as there may be additional options you are being charged for but don’t actually need.

If you are unable to get a better deal from your current supplier, start looking around for alternatives. Comparison sites such Compare the Market, MoneySuperMarket, Confused.com, and GoCompare can help you to find, compare, and even switch insurance policies. Comparison sites can be useful, but they may not include all providers. The only thing to double check is whether the option(s) you are interested in cover exactly what you need. 

It is almost always possible to save money on insurance. Just be careful to read the small print. 

We hope that this article has given you a few ideas as to how you can save money on your major bills during 2026. Remember to visit us here again soon at Loans 2 Go for more hints and tips on how to save money on everyday aspects of family living.

This blog/article provides general information only and does not constitute financial advice.