Energy giants EDF and Octopus are urging customers to complete a straightforward household task that could put approximately £60 back in their pockets each year. This advice comes as EDF warns that people across the UK are facing significantly higher energy bills this winter.
The Simple Fix for Big Savings
The key to these savings is draught-proofing. EDF advises customers to seek out and block draughts throughout their property. Common problem areas include gaps around doors, windows, and even unused chimneys. By stopping cold air from getting in and warm air from leaking out, you can prevent heat loss and maintain a warmer home without constantly turning up the thermostat.
Neglecting these small gaps could be the reason your heating system is working overtime. EDF Energy explained the logic: "Block gaps where heat escapes and cold air gets in; you'll prevent heat loss and keep your home warm." The company highlighted that draught-proofing a chimney alone could lead to savings of around £60 per year.
Energy Companies Unite on Advice
Octopus Energy echoes this guidance, emphasising how a continuous draught can undermine your heating efforts. "A continuous draught can quickly undo all the good work of your heating - essentially wasting energy," a spokesperson said. "Identifying and plugging up draughts around doors, windows and other gaps can help trap warmth in and make your gas spend go further."
While professional draught-proofing services are available for a cost of several hundred pounds, both companies point out that households can take matters into their own hands for free. You can detect draughts by simply using the back of your hand to feel for cold air, and you can create your own draught excluders using old fabric scraps.
Broader Support for Energy Efficiency
Octopus has been actively supporting its customers' efforts to be more energy efficient through its thermal camera loan scheme. The company stated, "We genuinely want to help our customers be more energy efficient. It's simply the right thing to do, not only because it keeps your bills low, but because it’s better for the environment as well."
This initiative has proven popular and effective. Octopus has sent cameras to nearly 5,000 customers over the last few years, with many reporting that the service helped them practically identify how to save heat. For the winter of 2025, the company has prioritised these camera loans for those who need them most, recognising that saving gas is more critical than ever as millions of UK households struggle with record-high energy bills.
